Associate ICT Officer

Volunteering IT & Telecom

Overview

Manage ICT operations to support UNHCR missions effectively.

You have:

• Experience in managing and supporting ICT systems, particularly in humanitarian contexts.
• Ability to work in challenging environments and multicultural teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and database management.
• Knowledge of satellite communication systems and VoIP technology.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

UNHCR Operation in Chad addresses protection and assistance needs for more than 1,000,000 refugees, established in 27camps, 25 of the camps hosting refugees since more than ten years, with no prospect of repatriation, at the same time establishing new camps to accommodate continuous influx. The UNHCR Office also leads the protection cluster in response to the general protection of internally displaced population, along with their reintegration in villages of origin. Chad is among the most complex UNHCR operations in terms of security, environment and logistical context. The environment is characterized by unforeseen trends related to these factors. The operation in Chad is currently decentralized and the Branch Office in N’Djamena retains the role of strategy provision, support and coordination of three Sub-Offices and their respective Field Offices. Other than the routine maintenance of IT Infrastructure, Network and Telecom, the incumbent will ensure routine functioning of the ICT system within the office of the Representation in Ndjamena covering the field office in Bagasola in the Lake region and eventually, provide ICT support to offices in the field. This includes assessment of ICT needs of UNHCR Offices and UNHCR’s partners, maintenance of IT equipment and all connectivity installations (VSAT, Wireless, LAN etc.). Given the considerable and diverse workload, it is important that the applicant be motivated, hard-working and organized.

Under the direct supervision of the Snr. IT Service Delivery Management Officer in N’Djamena and the overall supervisor of the Division of Information Systems and Telecoms (DIST) Chief ICT Field Operations, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Participate in the assessment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) voice, security and data services needs in each UNHCR office in responsibility (AOR). • Discuss ICT material and human requirements with the Head of offices in the AOR and provide input for the budget submission. • Supervise the implementation of the ICT operations plan and thereafter ensures that all equipment is always in good working conditions as to meet the ICT needs of the offices. • Assist and advise offices in the recruiting and training of ICT staff. • Actively participate in inter-agency ICT working groups and ensure effective coordination between agencies and services provided. • Report actively ICT activities undertaken in the AOR to DIST HQ ICT Field Operations. • Monitor and coordinate the work of other ICT staff as directed by the Head of Offices in accordance with the standards set by Headquarters. • Actively participate in ICT related meetings to ensure that all decisions taken meet UNHCR’s operational and security requirements. • Liaise directly with end users to clarify, analyse, and resolve reported issues, delivering high standards of customer service. • Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all infrastructure equipment under AOR. • Provide coaching and training to ICT staff and end-users. Draft procedures and instructions to promote a better understanding of the use of the ICT equipment. • Assist in liaising with the National Regulatory Authority to ensure that licenses and permissions required to operate UNHCR telecommunications networks are obtained. • Act as a Service Delivery Manager (SDM) and oversees the delivery of technology services to customers. The manager follows established ICT principles, operational guidelines, and service level agreements to ensure consistently high-level service performance.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

 Results/Expected Outputs:

• UNHCR Country operation has modern and cost-effective ICT systems. • Effective coordination/cooperation with DIST ICT Field Operations section. • Oversees day-to-day operations, monitors performance, and evaluates customer feedback to develop quality improvement processes. • ICT voice, security and data services are functioning and maintained. • Decide on appropriate resolution to incidents / problems. • Escalate issues to supervisor if incident / problem cannot be resolved with scope of responsibility. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

supporting ICT infrastructure (LAN/WAN, HF/VHF radio, VSAT satellite systems, PABX, Cisco networking devices). Hands on experience working in current versions of Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory. Knowledge of VoIP technology and network systems based on Cisco infrastructure, knowledge of satellite-based communications, VSAT, MSS and knowledge of VHF/HF communications. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound IT security awareness;

Chad is a continental country covering 1,284,000 km2. Its climate is Sahelian, and temperatures can reach around 45 ° C in the dry season. In the cooler rainy season, many roads are impassable, and flooding is frequent. This causes many health and supply problems to the population, including in the capital, Ndjamena. Because of widespread poverty and weak infrastructure and community facilities in the country, leisure is somewhat reduced. Chad is a complex operation in terms of security, environment, and logistical context. The environment is characterized by unforeseen trends related to these factors. The risk of common criminality - fuelled by poverty, social unrest and high levels of unemployment continues to be one of the main threats to the physical integrity of UNHCR staff. UNHCR staff are always reminded the need to strictly respect all norms of security. Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org