Telecommunications Assistant (Conference Operations)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Broadcast and Conference Support Section (BCSS), Regional Service Management Service (RSMS) in the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT).

The Broadcast and Conference Support Section is responsible for designing and operating the conference and broadcast service solutions in all conference rooms in the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The solutions include Congress Microphone and Interpretation systems, transmission, broadcast media, content management, editing suites and studios, and collaboration platforms [video conference, WebEx, remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI), etc.]

The incumbent reports to the Broadcast Technology Officer.

The United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology is making efforts to improve gender parity. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the ICT field.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Telecommunications Assistant (Conference Operations) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supports the Section in managing conference operations and schedules including the assignment of resources to support the conference operations in the various meeting rooms, studios and other areas inside and outside the United Nations facilities.
• Assists on a daily basis, with the coordination work required with particular regards to servicing conference operations.
• Supports the assignment desk for the coordination and optimal application and allocation of available human resources and equipment resources related to Conference Operations; assists in the sound deployment of technicians as required.
• Provides support in offering technical advice and hands-on direction on the optimal maintenance and application of resources (both hardware and software) with the end goal of efficiently completing assigned projects within the Conference Operations area.
• Assists in monitoring the progress of all related work in accordance with established plans, including the provision of an effective timeline that will leave room for implementation difficulties and remedial action should it become necessary.
• Liaise with various organizational units to initiate requests.
• Provides effective support and response to ad hoc and unforeseen changes in demand for services which have a direct impact on scheduling activities.
• Supports the preparation of standard terms of reference for project objectives.
• Drafts correspondence and communications including work plan revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares the Unit's contributions for a variety of periodic reports.
• Supports the creation, review and maintenance of various technical documentation, ensuring that all works are accurately recorded and kept on file.
• Assists in the creation, delivery and evaluation of training programs relevant to the Unit's functions and responsibilities.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the field; conducts research on new technologies; performs benchmarking and assists in the planning and implementation of new technologies.
• Maintains and monitors attendance records.
• Monitors, prepares and completes all periodic reports based on work done by technicians.
• Assists in the establishment of internal databases; sets up files, stores and manages data and information relevant to the scope of project activities.
• Assists the supervisor in completing the performance evaluation for technicians in order to help maintain the high level of performance of staff.
• Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of broadcast related equipment, principles of operations, including Congress Microphone and Interpretation Systems, Virtual meeting platforms, local area networks, satellites, radio and video surveillance, voice and messaging systems. Knowledge of the following: installation and repair of Congress Microphone and Interpretation Systems, television and radio broadcast systems and equipment; audio, video and IP networks, servers and storage systems; file-based media ingest, and media asset management systems; design of Radio Frequency (RF) distribution, and cable television ancillary equipment; must be able to read and understand electronic schematics; demonstrate knowledge of basic signal workflow; ability to apply knowledge and technical skills to install and test relevant equipment, provide maintenance services and user support. Ability to assist with analog and digital transmission, facility testing and troubleshooting. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

• 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.

• 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of experience in broadcast and conference operations or related area is required.

• Experience working with audio visual, broadcast and transmission systems and/or file based, or tapeless broadcast and production equipment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

• Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

• This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application.Staff members who were granted a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment as a result of having passed a predecessor test recognized by the Office of Human Resources Management, and who have continuously held such appointments, are not required to take the new test.

• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

No Fee

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.