Innovation & Technology Assistant

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.

In accordance with the tasks outlined below, the incumbent is expected to produce the following outputs: • Continuous and reliable performance of commercial contracts for Camp Surveillance and Pro-tection. • Acceptable turn-around times for manufacturer repairs and spare part supply. • SOPs, Correspondence. • 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 docu-mented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Innovation and Technology Unit within the Field Technology Section, the Innovation and Technology Assistant will be required to operate as part of the Innovation and Technology Unit team supporting the Mission. Major responsibilities include: • Oversee and manage commercial contracts for Surveillance and Protection Technology; Assist with spare parts management for Surveillance and Protection Technology. • Oversee and manage manufacturer repairs and maintenance activities for Surveillance and Protection Technology. • Ensure that Issue and Incident registers are properly maintained by the support personnel for Surveillance and Protection Technology. • Assist with drafting SOPs and various correspondence. • Research and evaluate new technologies in the context of the mission mandate. • Follow-up with Procurement Section and MOVCON on status of acquisitions and shipping. • Travel to other field stations/locations as and when required. • Perform other related 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 technical-ly possible.

• Integrity and professionalism: Demonstrate effectiveness in the field of IT displaying skills in; relational database application design and development including, Windows and Web based application Development. Application & Development skills. Experience in MS Windows MS Exchange, SharePoint, Lotus Note Domino Administration R8, SUSE Linux. Knowledge of Formal specifications, data flow diagrams, UML, Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools. 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. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values

A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience with Surveillance and Protection Technology, preferably in a military/law enforcement context/environment.

University degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in Telecommunications/ Information Technology related field. Relevant Military training/certification acceptable.

Bamako is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Mali is a non-family duty station. Living conditions are acceptable in Bamako, but security instructions need to be strictly complied with. Adequate housing is available for rent at US$ 500-1500 per month. The national currency is the Franc CFA (April 2020 exchange rate was 1 US$ = 545 FCFA). Visa credit cards are accepted in some hotels and larger shops. Mali is a country prone to malaria, so mosquito nets are highly recommended. Basic medicines are available from pharmacies, but provision needs to be made for specialized medication. Security recommendations from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) must be followed by all UN Staff in the course of their assignments in Mali. For the sake of rewarding experience, UN volunteers in MINUSMA carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply. Gao is non-family duty station. Living conditions are acceptable, but security instructions need to be strictly complied with. The national currency is the Franc CFA (April 2020 exchange rate is 1 US$ = 545 FCFA). Visa credit cards are acceptable in some hotels and larges shops in Bamako. Mali is a country prone to malaria, so mosquito nets are highly recommended. Basic medicines are available from UN Medical Section or from pharmacies, but provision need to be made for specialized medication. Security recommendations from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) must be followed by all UN Staff in the course of their assignments in Mali.

The duration of your assignment is 6 months until 30 June 2023 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.

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