Snr Reg ICT Off (Infrastruct)

Senior Regional ICT Officer (Infrastructure)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Supervision provided:
The Senior Regional ICT Officer (Infrastructure) (SRICTOI) has an overall responsibility for the infrastructure in the region, developing and implementing the Operational Infrastructure Plan in consultation with DIST, UNHCR Headquarters.  S/he will also be responsible for coordinating and supervising the work of RICTOs and providing leadership and guidance to other ICT staff in the region.

Size and scope of role:
Understanding the current and potential future need for infrastructure within the region; the incumbent ensures that the infrastructure requirements for all UNHCR offices are understood and that offices have adequate functioning infrastructure to maintain communications within the field and to headquarters, and the ICT tools necessary to effectively support their work.
Assists to prepare ICT project budgets, and monitors their implementation till to the completion, and reporting to HQs. The incumbent is responsible for  the provision of ICT services in the countries covered by the Regional Office/Hub.

Main relationships:
With other RICTOs and ICT staff in their region to manage the applications and infrastructure.
With ICT staff in field locations to provide advice and guidance in the operation of infrastructure.
With DIST, UNHCR Headquarters to plan and agree the approach to managing infrastructure in the field.
With implementing and operational partners to understand the ICT needs and provide assistance.
With Country Representatives and regional offices to understand their ICT needs.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR offices in the region are provided with all required ICT infrastructure support.
- A regional ICT operations plan has been developed for and implemented in the region.

Responsibility

- Plan, supervise and manage ICT and power system in the region ensuring that it is in good working condition, identify suitably qualified local personnel to man the ICT networks, including Switchboards.
- Ensure adherence to and compliance with Service Management processes, policies, SLAs and standards in the region.
- Ensure that all staff in the region comply with ICT security policies.
- Promote a competent and motivated workforce trained to understand and use ICT infrastructure facilities and who are aware of the correct procedures and practices.
- Assist in identification and recommendation of relevant training activities and the acquisition of further skills needed for field staff and users of the facilities to be aware of current and new technology, including training and training materials.
- Ensure compliance with technical architecture as defined by the Deputy Director, Technical Authority.
- Ensure that the operational infrastructure requirements of each UNHCR office under area of responsibility are understood, assessed and prioritised so that the offices are able to communicate effectively in the Field and with Headquarters at all times.
- Discuss, reviews evaluate and coordinate with the Heads of Office through regular missions and other methods of communication.
- Monitor developments, which might lead to situations of concern, and identify potential options for the support of such situations.
- Gather information from all offices concerned and prepares an infrastructure budget.
- Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all ICT infrastructure equipment in the countries in the region under area of responsibility and keep Headquarters informed accordingly.
- Support an efficient and effective infrastructure that meets regulatory and UNHCR procedures and standards by monitoring and coordinating the work of all ICT technicians and operator posts in consultation with the respective Heads of Office.
- When necessary, liaise and negotiate with national and international regulatory bodies to ensure all required permissions to operate UNHCR networks are granted.
- Disseminate the provided guidelines for communication procedures which meet staff security needs, in conjunction with the Field Safety Advisors, and promote their implementation.
- Advise on the recruitment of ICT staff within the area of responsibility, when required.
- Ensure that UNHCR safety planning and measures are supported by communications that meet UN and UNHCR security standards and procedures, by undertaking security assessment missions, with the Field Safety Advisors, to analyse security factors and make recommendations and implement as required.
- Undertake regular missions to the countries covered in the region to evaluate current infrastructure, write reports and make recommendations related thereto. Plan, supervise and manage the infrastructure in the region ensuring that it is in good working order.
- Support new infrastructure deployment and testing new models of infrastructure.
- Coordinate with different agencies and implementing partners as per ICT operations plan on infrastructure related activities. Promote partnership wherever possible with sister Agencies, NGOs and other operational partners in consultation with Head of Regional Hub/Country Representative/DIST, Headquarters.
- Liaise and coordinate with different UNHCR offices for logistic support to clear ICT equipment and accessories for speedy deployment.
- Regularly discuss and coordinate with the Country Representatives and Regional Hubs in the region for operational and administrative requirements and priorities including budgetary, personnel and timeframe in consultation with Regional Representative/Regional Hub Manager and DIST.
- Identify ways to continually improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the infrastructure and its support with the region.
- Monitor developments in the region which could lead to new situations of concern, propose and take action as necessary.
- Assist security assessment missions to countries in the region in liaison with Administrative Officer/ Field Security Officers to analyse security factors, making recommendations for security communications. Provide guidelines for, and ensure the implementation of communications procedures to meet staff security needs
- Undertake other tasks or assignments within his / her area of competence as required.

Authority

- In consultation with DIST, develop medium term plans (1-2 years) for the deployment, maintenance and support of ICT infrastructure within the region.
- Approve installation of new or upgraded equipment within area of responsibility.
- Set priorities for ICT staff within the region.
- Represent UNHCR in ICT-related meetings and activities.
- Decide on appropriate resolution of incidents / problems.
- Escalate issues to supervisor if incident / problem cannot be resolved within scope of responsibility.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- University degree in ICT / Engineering or relevant subject.
- Minimum 12 years of experience of supporting infrastructure (10 years with advanced university degree) including six years in supporting field infrastructure.
- Experience of installing and commissioning VSAT, Secure Radio (HF and VHF), Wireless, Field LAN, messaging and cabling technology.
- Knowledge of different satellite and terrestrial communications and network systems.
- Experience in delivering training as well as preparation of training materials.
- Fluency in English with working knowledge of another relevant UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of UN working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Experience in the selection of microwave links interfacing with satellite and PABX systems.
- Hands-on experience with testing of terrestrial and satellite network hardware, including UPS.
- Design and development of VSAT, Radio, Field LAN and / or  Messaging systems.
- General regulatory requirements for radio licenses.
- EMC Training.
- Experience of operating in humanitarian or United Nations organisations, with field experience.
- GVF (Global VSAT Forum) Training and certification.