TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER [Temporary]

Notes:

*This position is available through to 30 June 2017 with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds

• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified.

• Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.

• The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.

• Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

• For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.

• The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.

• Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

The Network Support Unit is responsible for the management of all GSC's WAN network equipment and Hub services, namely voice, video-conference and crypto fax. The vast majority of the clients are remote missions and OAH's connected via distict media. This position is for the Chief of the Network Support Unit and reports directly to the Chief of WAN Services Section.

Within delegated authority, the Chief, Telecommunications Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Manages the Communications Unit/Section of the mission; ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion
• Develops strategies and oversees the design and implementation of major telecommunications / network systems initiatives; manages/oversees multiple, concurrent and often disparate tasks for projects that span regional field missions, or, where applicable all field missions
• Leads and directs a team of telecommunications / network officers/engineers; may oversee activities for a discrete work section or equivalent; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs
• Identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from customers; develops plans for feasibility assessment, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates
• Develops Communications Budgets and ensure proper expenditure according to UN Financial Rules
• Manages procurement, including conducting needs assessments and benchmarks, preparing bid documents and arranging contracts; supervises, coordinates and negotiates the services required to enable the management and operation of interdependent information technology and telecommunications / network systems
• Manages telecommunications / network assets with respect to deployment, usage and redeployment
• Provides emergency communications capabilities in support of staff security, including providing a focal point for inter-agency emergency field security communications liaison; ensures effective coordination with other UN Agencies in order to maximise possibilities of inter-agency collaboration in the field of telecommunications
• Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Chief Administrative Officers and Executive Officers, Telecommunications Officers and other IT specialists throughout the GSC, Secretariat and other UN agencies, Senior technical staff and managers in user offices, including external users (e.g. governments, international organizations, etc.), Counterparts in other organizations/businesses with experience in leading similar team initiatives, Sales and technical personnel of hardware/software vendors, contract staff, etc.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the management, design, implementation and maintenance of complex telecommunications systems; ability to organise and manage diverse and cross-functional groups, across geographically dispersed locations, for large-scale regional and, where applicable, inter-mission projects in conflict and post conflict areas; ability to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand telecommunications systems and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters; ability to integrate knowledge with broader operational objectives; ability to improve processes and approaches; demonstrates adaptability to changing priorities; knowledge of organization’s ICT and telecommunications strategy as it relates to user area(s); strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Managing Performance - Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff and appraises performance fairly.

•Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Strives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows courage to take unpopular stands.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in telecommunications engineering, electronic engineering or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in telecommunications, electronic data transmission, network design or related area, of which four (4) years should have been in the public/private sector, functioning at the at the management level, with sound knowledge of international ICT practices and regulations, is required. Four (4) years field experience in United Nations common system field operations, inclusive of Peacekeeping and Special Political Missions, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, is desirable. Experience in carrying out administrative functions of a Unit/Section, which would include preparation of budget/cost estimates, reporting on budget/programme performance, procurement of goods and services along with contract management, and the recruitment of staff, is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required; knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.