Camera System Support IT Officer

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is an unarmed, civilian mission, present on the ground 24/7 throughout Ukraine. Its main tasks are to observe and report in an impartial and objective way on the situation in Ukraine; and to facilitate dialogue among all parties to the crisis. The Mission contributes to reducing tensions and to fostering peace, stability and security. The Mission engages with authorities at all levels, as well as civil society, ethnic and religious groups and local communities. The Mission gathers information and reports on the security situation; and establishes and reports facts in response to specific incidents, including those concerning alleged violations of fundamental OSCE principles. The Mission currently foresees around 1,500 Mission members spread across 10 Monitoring Teams and budgetary resources of about EUR 100 million.

The Mission, in line with the OSCE SMM Gender Equality Action Plan, is committed to improving the gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the SMM. Currently female professionals are underrepresented within the Information and Communication Technologies, including in the Operations Centre. Female candidates are therefore strongly encouraged to apply.

If applicable, deployment is subject to attendance to and successful completion of pre-deployment training and assessment.

Applicants are hereby notified that the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is designated by the OSCE as a nonfamily duty station. This designation is based on the fluid and dynamic working environment in the SMM. The currently prevailing working conditions in the duty station may include working in a hazardous location with extended hours of service, and possibly curtailed freedom of movement. Successful candidates who are appointed to locations deemed by the OSCE as hazardous will receive hazard pay. In addition, all successful candidates will be required to participate in the OSCE accident and life insurance scheme in accordance with the OSCE Staff Regulations and Staff Rules.

The selected candidates will be deployed to Luhansk and Donetsk Monitoring Teams.

Under the overall supervision of Head of ICT and the daily coordination guidance of the ICT Officer, TMC Support acts as focal point for all technical issues in his/her Area of Responsibility (AoR), related to maintenance and sustainment of ICT equipment in conjunction to Monitoring technologies, responding to requests for assistance from users, maintaining accurate log entries of requests and reporting fault details.

More specifically the incumbent has the following responsibilities and tasks:

1. In the context of the daily SMM Hub patrol activities facilitating effective operation of OSCE Cameras sites installed at Observation Points in the Area of Operations (AOR) of Monitoring Team (MT), providing recommendations and supporting installation and maintenance of the network and communications systems;
2. Carrying out basic troubleshooting of monitoring systems designed to perform in an autonomous mode (unattended surveillance systems), making assessments of requirements to support them and maintain their operational lifetime;
3. Performing installation, configuration, testing and deployment of hardware and software, including elements of Local Area Network, Computer Operating Systems, power supply elements, cabling and mechanical parts on the remote systems;
4. Ensuring system availability and efficient operation of IT infrastructure at the remote sites of the network and delivery of high quality standards of the ICT services;
5. Performing contractors’ activities monitoring and control, and facilitates their work on site, coordinating the maintenance visits in close cooperation with the respective SMM patrol hub management;
6. Analysing the performance of the remote systems and recommending potential improvements of the systems performance, the contractors’ deliverables as well as the various business processes related to preventive and corrective maintenance of the systems; Monitoring the performance of software applications used to control the operation of surveillance camera systems;
7. Maintaining an overview of the necessary IT security and data encryption systems, performing whenever necessary device configuration works and adheres to the high standards of access credential custodian of IT security information;
8. Performing regular and periodic quality tests of Camera site ICT Systems (Switches, Firewalls, modems, Microwave links, Internet access services, etc.);
9. Performing other duties as assigned.

For additional information about the mission, please see: https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine

• Citizenship of an OSCE participating State, excluding Ukraine;
• First-level university degree in computer science, telecommunications, electronics or  related field; Possession of network administration certificates like CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP will be an advantage;
• A minimum of  two years of documented relevant professional experience in the field of Information and Communications Technologies;
• Proficiency in working with computer hardware and software, administration of small size networks (LAN/WAN networking environment) including hands on skills of managing devices;
• Experience maintaining elements and devices typical for small scale Information and Communication Technology systems – switches, personal computers, power supply elements, cabling and ambient conditions provisions;
• Sound understanding of Information and Communications Technology operations in adverse field conditions with minimal or non-existent local infrastructure;
• Good understanding of the specifics using satellite communications to transport data from remote sites. Understanding and/or hands on experience of installations of VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminals);
• Basic understanding for Video Surveillance Systems and video cameras in a networked environment;
• Understanding and experience of networks and devices in Microsoft based environment, basic understanding of Virtual Private Networks and their administration (a networking certification would be an advantage) and fundamental understanding of Virtual Local Area Networks;
• Experience in installing computer operating systems, software and other applications;
• Basic understanding of network protocols, TCP/IP functional aspects and network topology;
• Holding a valid “Class C” driving license;
• Ability to draft, edit and produce concise, coherent daily and weekly reports and other statistics;
• Professional fluency in the English language, both oral and written; working knowledge of Russian would be an asset;
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality objectives as well as the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

• Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
• Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
• Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization’s core values and organizational principles
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

• Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
• Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
• Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities

Monthly remuneration subject to social security deductions is about USD 3029 to which is added Board and Lodging Allowance (currently EUR 125 per day subject to change without prior notice). Social benefits will include possibility of participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund.

Please note that appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/vacancies.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those applicants who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see http://www.osce.org/states.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation, therefore the maximum period of service in this post is 7 years.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.