Information Systems Assistant (Videoconference Specialist)

Volunteering IT & Telecom

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Technology Services (FTS), Chief of Service Management Unit (SMU), or designated authority, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following duties:

Videoconference and Audiovisual Systems Support • Configure, operate, test, and maintain videoconferencing systems and audiovisual equipment in conference rooms and meeting facilities. • Support Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, Cisco Webex systems, and other collaboration platforms used within MONUSCO. • Maintain and troubleshoot cameras, microphones, speakers, codecs, digital signal processors, and display systems. • Perform regular inspections and preventive maintenance of conference room equipment. • Ensure videoconference facilities are fully operational and available for scheduled meetings.

Platform Administration and Service Management • Assist in the administration of videoconferencing platforms, tenant configurations, licenses, subscriptions, and associated services. • Monitor room connector licenses, SIP/H.323 endpoints, and software versions. • Support system upgrades, firmware updates, and security compliance activities. • Maintain accurate records of service inventories, licenses, and configuration documentation.

Event and Meeting Support • Provide technical support for high-level meetings, executive briefings, town halls, workshops, conferences, and hybrid events. • Coordinate and conduct pre-event technical checks and readiness assessments. • Configure remote participation capabilities and ensure seamless integration between onsite and remote attendees. • Provide technical assistance to presenters, moderators, interpreters, and participants during events. • Monitor meetings and address technical issues in real time to minimize disruptions.

Equipment Installation and Configuration • Install, configure, and connect audiovisual equipment including displays, projectors, microphones, cameras, speakers, audio mixers, and conference room controllers. • Deploy and maintain cabling infrastructure including HDMI, Ethernet, fiber-optic, SDI, XLR, and other audiovisual connections. • Conduct audio calibration, sound checks, and video quality testing. • Ensure compliance with safety standards and proper cable management practices.

Network and Infrastructure Troubleshooting • Diagnose and resolve audiovisual connectivity issues related to network performance. • Monitor and troubleshoot bandwidth constraints, packet loss, latency, jitter, and connectivity failures impacting videoconferencing services. • Identify infrastructure faults and coordinate escalations with Network Operations teams when required. • Validate end-to-end audiovisual signal paths from source devices to presentation outputs.

Asset Management and Documentation • Maintain inventories of audiovisual and videoconferencing equipment. • Record equipment status, maintenance activities, and incident resolutions. • Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), user guides, and technical documentation. • Ensure equipment is properly stored, inventoried, and available for operational requirements.

Vendor and User Support • Liaise with external vendors, service providers, and integrators for equipment maintenance and warranty support. • Assist in technical evaluations and testing of new collaboration technologies. • Deliver user orientation and training sessions on audiovisual and videoconferencing systems. • Promote best practices and effective use of meeting room technologies.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated 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 manage 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, counterparts 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; and • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Required: • Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in information systems, audiovisual systems, videoconferencing technologies, or related information and communications technology (ICT) services. • Experience supporting enterprise audiovisual and collaboration platforms. • Experience configuring and maintaining Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex, or equivalent conferencing solutions. • Experience supporting executive meetings, conferences, and hybrid events. • Experience troubleshooting audiovisual and network-related issues. • Desirable experience with Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) solutions such as Televic, Bosch, KUDO, or equivalent platforms. • Knowledge of Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet (DANTE) audio networking technology is highly desirable.

Technical competencies • Videoconferencing technologies (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex). • Conference room technologies and Microsoft Teams Rooms. • Audio mixers, microphones, cameras, projectors, displays, and digital signal processing. • Network fundamentals including Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), H.323, Quality of Service (QoS) concepts, and connectivity troubleshooting. • Audio-over-IP technologies, including DANTE. • IT service management and customer support practices. • Documentation and technical writing. • Inventory and asset management.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.

Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Accommodation is very expensive in Kinshasa. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Goma), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.

All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa and Entebbe which are family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including Kinshasa, Goma and all the other towns.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis.

The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.

In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.

The DRC is a unique country, and MONUSCO is a unique peace operation. It offers an interesting and enriching environment, while also requiring a high level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment. Flexibility, and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions – sometimes involving physical hardship and limited comfort – are therefore essential.

Apply now

Added 3 hours ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: unv.org