TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

The Telecommunications Officer normally reports directly to the Chief of Units, Telecommunication and is responsible for the improvement of quality and consistency in providing telecommunications management advice to all units and the development and maintenance of telecommunications functions as well as preparation of related briefs and documents. The Telecommunications Officer provides support to the planning and organizing of training sessions on mission's telecommunications management functions and provision of content related support to the maintenance databases.

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

• Designs various ICT networks; manages the design, installation, maintenance and monitoring of various ICT networks and systems;
• Drafts specifications and standards for ICT equipment required;
• Reviews the submission and processing of ICT requisitions for equipment supplies and spares;
• Plans and directs major ICT projects of significant importance to the Mission;
• Implements information and telecommunications standards; ensures guidelines are complied with, and that schedules and deadlines are met;
• Establishes performance standards for ICT equipment and services and recommends corrective measures to improve service quality and operational performance;
• Participates in the review and development of information security policies and related standards and guidelines;
• Coordinates the implementation of Mission-wide and local information security policies; Ensures promotion and enforcement of these policies;
• Develops detailed system and functional specifications, along with user documentation for major systems, including telecommunications systems;
• Develops and maintains the information security management system, including information risks across the mission. Establishes an information security and risk management functional capability and framework across the organization. Establishes processes to respond in a timely and proactive manner to significant information security breaches;
• Reviews bid responses; Evaluates vendor's proposals; Analyses specifications; Performs cost-benefit analysis;
• Recommends selection of the most suitable type of ICT equipment;
• Coordinates with the ICT assets management unit regarding the accountability of the inventory, the requisitioning system, ensuring minimum sparing and supplies levels, receiving and inspection of equipment, disposal of obsolete and defective items by property survey board action;
• Manages the individual yearly work plan for ICT staff, and produces detailed performance assessments and evaluations for all staff supervised throughout the year;
• Monitors the performance and service levels provided by contractors, ensures guidelines are complied with, ensures schedules and deadlines are met, takes action on any shortfalls recorded;
• Supervises and provides professional leadership and work direction to unit supervisors, junior ICT staff, United Nations Volunteers (UNV), contractors, and service providers;
• Initiates contact with counterparts within United Nations agencies to maximize inter-agency collaboration;
• Acts as the focal point for the ICT field budget preparation, providing cost estimates, monitoring budget allocations and expenditures and verifying that no overrun occurs;
• Interfaces with local authorities and governmental offices to obtain telephone lines, frequency allocations, tower permissions, frequency allocations, and any other formality necessary to obtain and deliver telecommunications services to the Mission;
• Plans new ICT systems and networks; implements enhancements and upgrades required;
• Provides emergency ICT capabilities in support of staff security and evacuation plans;
• Participates in writing reports on ICT related topics, network requirements and strategy;
• Oversees site surveys, wireless network coverage, site access applications, frequency coordination, radio coverage/link feasibility analyses path profiles and propagation tests, ensuring all ancillary equipment and accessories are compatible;
• Provides expert advice regarding complex projects or third line complex repairs required on any equipment;
• Implements and oversees Audio and Visual conferencing services, coordinates inter-connectivity with other Telecommunications Engineers within other missions and United Nations Headquarters;
• Coordinates with telephone service providers and leased line carriers; remote site technical support staff, and facilitates service restoration during facility failures within the system;
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a wide range of telecommunication systems with adequate skills for leading a team through the installation, maintenance and operation of these systems. Knowledge of operations of commercial telecommunications services, voice and data communications networks, telephony switching, radio, satellite, microwave and trunked radio communication systems. Ability to analyze, review, and make recommendations to improve the delivery of information and telecommunications services. 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; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in electronic, technical or communications engineering, technical science, computer technology or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of five (5) years' of progressively responsible professional experience in telecommunications, electronic data transmission, network design or related field is required.
Two (2) years of experience providing services in telecommunications Systems or related area in a field operation of the United Nations common system or comparable international organization or in a military operations environment is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of French is an advantage; Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

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

The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.

The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Telecommunications Officer, P3 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. 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 Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (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.