Information Systems Assistant (Network Engineer)

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 United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political process in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks. The Mission has been asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap, focusing on major population centers and lines of communication, protecting civilians, human rights monitoring, the creation of conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance and the return to displaced persons, the extension of State authority and the preparation of free, inclusive and peaceful elections. The mandate of the Human Rights Division, following Security Council Resolutions 2100, 2164, 2227, 2295 and 2364 is (i) To assist the Malian authorities in their efforts to promote and protect human rights, in particular in the areas of justice and reconciliation, including to support, as feasible and appropriate, the efforts of the Malian authorities, without prejudice to their responsibilities, to bring to justice those responsible for serious abuses or violations of human rights or violations of international humanitarian law, in particular war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali, taking into account the referral by the transitional authorities of Mali of the situation in their country since January 2012 to the International Criminal Court; (ii) To monitor, help investigate and report to the Security Council and publicly, as appropriate, on violations of international humanitarian law and on violations and abuses of human rights, including all forms of sexual and gender based violence and violations and abuses committed against women and children throughout Mali and to contribute to efforts to prevent such violations and abuses.

This position is located under the Field Technology Section (FTS) of MINUSMA. Under the direct supervision of the section’s Information Technology Operations Unit Supervisor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Assist in the administration and operation, technical support and monitoring of the Mission’s Net-work systems. • Participate and assist in developing and executing Information Technology project plans, sched-ules, and technical resources required to successfully complete the projects. • Assist in the coordination and execution of all Local Area Network (LAN) / Wide Area Network (WAN), network projects and specific plans (ADS, routing and switching, network management projects). • Ensure consistent application of WAN and LAN policies, standards, and procedures throughout the Mission. • Perform advanced technical support activities, installation, configuration, test and deployment of network devices’ hardware and software, Operating Systems, Electronic Mails, MS Exchange, Database Systems, Internet Web Software, Firewall, Domain Naming Server (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration protocol (DHCP), Mail Relay, and various security software, switches, routers, and firewalls used to support LAN and WAN. • Collect various statistics on the performance and reliability of Network Link Status, Servers, Switches and Routers and propose upgrade/replacements. • Ensures that appropriate data security and access controls are maintained for network-based ap-plications deployed over Local- and Wide Area Networks. • Produce pertinent performance and evaluation reports. • Perform 24 hours operations of assigned systems. • Liaise with other groups within the Infrastructure Unit in maintaining an efficient and reliable operation of the network. • Assist in the preparation, standardization, and implementation of the data security policy; enforce all network security procedures. • Coordinate with other FTS Units on Disaster Recovery procedures to ensure success. • Provide technical training and guidance to new/junior staff. • Provide third level network support. • Work as part of FTS duty roster responsible for emergency customer support calls after official working hours. • Perform ad hoc duties as may be required by the immediate or any other senior supervisor from time to time. • Perform other duties as assigned.

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: In accordance with the tasks outlined above, the incumbent is expected to produce the following outputs: • Ensure fully coordinated and effective technical maintenance and support to the Mission’s infra-structure system and integrated Voice and Data Services. • Safeguard well supported administration, operation and monitoring of the Mission’s network systems. • Ensure proper coordination and execution of all Local Area Network (LAN) / Wide Area Network (WAN), network projects and specific plans (ADS, routing and switching, network management projects). • Ensure consistent application of WAN and LAN policies, standards, and procedures throughout the Mission.

• Integrity and professionalism: Demonstrate expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: Mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to man-age a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. • Communication: Proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counter-parts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote, and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance, and commitment towards the UN core values.

the United Nations or other International Organizations with experience at the national or international level is desired.

The duration of your assignment is 12 months with further possible extension based on Mission’s mandate, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,587. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates monthly according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website (http://icsc.un.org). For example, if the PAM for the current month is 54.6%, then the VLA for that month will be (US$ 1,587 x 54,6 /100) + 1,587= US$ 2,453. Moreover, a Family Allowance (FA) is added in accordance with the number of recognized dependents: US$ 250 if the UN Volunteer has 1 recognized dependent, and US$ 450 if the UN Volunteer has 2 or more recognized dependents. Accordingly, the VLA per month will be US$ for a volunteer without dependent; US$ for a volunteer with one recognized dependent and US$ for a volunteer with two or more recognized dependents.
In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) monthly.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.