Senior Telecommunications Assistant

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-7 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Network, Security and Telephony Unit, Operations Section, Regional Service Management Service (RSMS), Operations Support Division (OSD) within the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT).

The incumbent reports to the Information Systems Officer. The Network, Security and Telephony Unit is responsible for designing and operating the secured wired and wireless infrastructure, security appliances, proxy appliances, Tier -1 DNS/DHCP applications, and Unified Communications system across all the buildings in UNHQ.

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 delegated authority, the Senior Telecommunications Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Satellite Earth-station Operations - Installs, configures, tests and commissions various earth station sub-systems and associated equipment. - Operates and maintains Intelsat Standard satellite earth-station equipment, inclusive of the antenna system, RF equipment, IF equipment, base-band equipment, and the control, supervisory, and test facilities. - In coordination with INTELSAT, conducts periodic SSOG system testing and circuit line-up of existing digital carriers. - Provides assistance in workflow analyses of existing procedures and drafting of new workflow to change operating environment or optimize operation. - Ensures that preventative maintenance and repairs schedules are carried out per established guidelines and procedures. - Advises the Unit/Section Chief on matters relating to operations of the earth station. - Coordinates with the Intelsat Operations Center and remote earth-station sites the provisioning of point-to-point and multi-destination digital carriers. - Performs preventative maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair. - Maintains up to date earth-station records and documentation. - Monitors spare parts and ensures that the earth station has sufficient spare parts. - Supervises crews of skilled Earth-station Engineering Technicians. - Prepares monthly reports on node and transmission facility performance, including detailed reports of leased facility outages for outage rebate purposes. - Performs other related duties as required.

Wide Area Network Operations - Installs, configures, tests and commissions various UN Wide Area Network (WAN) systems and associated equipment. - Coordinates with leased line carrier and/or remote site technical support staff, service restoration during facility failures at Headquarters, the OAHs, and/or Missions. - Provides assistance in preparation of Requests For Proposals and evaluation. - Carries out fault diagnosis and resolve transmission and switching impairments arising between the OAHs, Missions, and/or Headquarters. - Provides assistance in workflow analyses of existing procedures and drafting of new workflow to change operating environment or optimize operation. - Advises the Unit/Section Chief on matters relating to operations of WAN. - Supervises crews of skilled Wide Area Network Engineering Technicians. - Ensures that the Network Control Center/Network Operations Center records and Wide Area Network records/documentation are kept current. - Ensures that preventative maintenance and repairs schedules are carried out per established guidelines and procedures. - Performs advanced technical support activities, including module level system repairs, with respect to Wide Area Network Switches, routers, and related technologies. - Monitors transmission performance of all local and remote network nodes at the link and at the I/O levels. - Prepares monthly reports on node and transmission facility performance, including detailed reports of leased facility outages for outage rebate purposes. - Performs other related duties as required.

Local Area Network Operations - Performs advanced technical support activities, including firmware upgrades, and module level repair of multi-layer switches, routers, and remote access appliances. - Installs, configures, and maintains multi-protocol routers, multi-layer switches, and other LAN equipment. - Monitors the performance of the LAN, MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) and high speed Internet access facilities. - Coordinates and facilitates the implementation of ad-hoc LAN support requirements with departmental focal points. - Provides remote operations and maintenance service and advanced technical support for access routers on the Wide Area Network. - Assists in large projects when services are to be provided in new locations. - Maintains LAN and MAN equipment inventory and tracks repair history of Local Area Network equipment and modules. - Prepares system engineering plans, generates and revises network diagrams and network documentation. - Supervises crews of skilled Local Area Network Engineering Technicians. - Performs other related duties as required.

Voice and Messaging Operation - Installs, configures, tests and commissions PBXs, voice mail systems, telecommunication facility management and accounting systems, facsimile switching servers, encrypted voice and facsimile devices. - Provides voice communication support to Secretary-General and his entourage during special missions overseas. - Coordinates with telephone service requesting departments, Facilities Management Division, local and long distance telephone service providers, leased line carrier and/or remote site technical support staff, service restoration during facility failures at Headquarters, the OAHs, and/or Missions. - Ensures that telephone exchange and voice mail system operate smoothly and meet availability and reliability targets. - Ensures that preventative maintenance schedules on telephone exchange and voice mail system are carried out per established guidelines. - Analyzes service level provided by contractors in correcting reported troubles in telephone and voice mail service. - Monitors contractors performance in carrying out Moves, Adds and changes and ensures that established guidelines are met. - Supervises UN and contractor staff responsible for a) Voice Mail b) Service and Quality Control c) Traffic Analysis, Facsimile and Paging Service. - Assists the Chief of Section in implementation of projects. - Advises the Chief on matters relating to operation of telephone and voice mail systems. - Ensures performance of traffic analysis and recommends measures to alleviate overload situations. - Assists in large projects when services are to be provided in new locations. - Manages intranet site and post policies, procedures, and guidelines in intranet. - Co-ordinates and provides advanced technical support to operating Units. - Provides assistance in preparation of Requests For Proposals for equipment and services. Performs cost-benefit analyses. - Assists in establishing performance benchmarks for contractor works. - Provides assistance in workflow analyses of existing procedures and drafting of new workflow to changed operating environment or optimize operation. - Assists in drafting operational performance standards and maintenance guidelines for VMS services. - Gathers statistical data on operational performance of telecommunication equipment and prepares engineering drawings. - Performs other related duties as required.

Audio-Visual Conference Services - Installs, configures, tests and commissions videoconference systems. - Provides videoconference support to Secretary-General and his entourage during special missions overseas. - Coordinates with videoconference service requesting departments, Facilities Management Division, videoconference, ISDN and videoconference bridging service providers leased line carrier and/or remote site technical support staff, service restoration during facility failures at Headquarters, the OAHs, and/or Missions. - Ensures that installed videoconference systems operate smoothly and meet availability and reliability targets. - Ensures that preventative maintenance schedules on videoconference systems are carried out per established guidelines. - Analyzes service level provided by contractors in correcting reported troubles in videoconference, ISDN and videoconference bridging services. - Monitors contractors performance in carrying out Moves, Adds and changes and ensures that established guidelines are met. - Supervises UN and contractor staff responsible for a) Videoconference services b) Videoconference systems installation c) Videoconference systems maintenance. - Assists the Chief of Section in implementation of projects. - Advises the Chief on matters relating to operation of videoconference systems. - Analyzes trends in videoconference service and supports requests and the level of service and support provided, and identifies future resource requirements needed to satisfy demand and advises Chief of unit and Section accordingly. - Assists in large projects when services are to be provided in new locations. - Co-ordinates and provides advanced technical support to operating Units. - Provides assistance in preparation of Requests For Proposals for equipment and services required by BCSS. Performs cost-benefit analyses. - Assists in establishing performance benchmarks for contractor works. - Provides assistance in workflow analyses of existing procedures and drafting of new workflow to changed operating environment or optimize operation. - Assists in drafting operational performance standards and maintenance guidelines for videoconference services. - Gathers statistical data on operational performance of telecommunication equipment and prepare engineering drawings. - Performs other related duties as required.

Radio Communications and Video Surveillance Systems Installation and Maintenance - Installs, configures, tests and commissions radio communications and video surveillance systems. - Provides radio communications and video surveillance systems support to Secretary-General and his entourage during special missions overseas. - Coordinates with UN Security, Facilities Management Division, radio communications and video surveillance systems and service providers, service restoration during facility failures at Headquarters, the OAHs, and/or Missions. - Ensures that radio communications and video surveillance systems operate smoothly and meet availability and reliability targets. - Ensures that preventative maintenance schedules on radio communications and video surveillance systems are carried out per established guidelines. - Analyzes service level provided by contractors in correcting reported troubles in radio communications and video surveillance systems and services. - Monitors contractors performance in carrying out Moves, Adds and changes and ensures that established guidelines are met. - Supervises UN and contractor staff responsible for a) Radio communications b) Video surveillance. - Assists the Chief of Section in implementation of projects. - Advises the Chief on matters relating to operation of radio communications and video surveillance systems and services. - Assists in large projects when services are to be provided in new locations. - Co-ordinates and provides advanced technical support to operating Units. - Provides assistance in preparation of Requests For Proposals for equipment and services. Performs cost-benefit analyses. - Assists in establishing performance benchmarks for contractor works. - Provides assistance in workflow analyses of existing procedures and drafting of new workflow to changed operating environment or optimize operation. - Assists drafting operational performance standards and maintenance guidelines for radio communications and video surveillance services. - Gathers statistical data on operational performance of telecommunication equipment and prepare engineering drawings. - Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of telecommunication equipment, principles of operations, including local area networks and wide area networks. Knowledge of principles of analog and digital transmission. Knowledge of synchronous and asynchronous data interface standards and protocols. 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 trouble-shooting. 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.

  Job - Specific Qualification - A certification in CCNP, CCNA or equivalent is desirable.

  Work Experience - A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in telecommunications or related area is required.

  • A minimum of one year of experience in the use of Cisco technology is desirable.

  • Experience using Microsoft Visio or similar software is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position 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 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.

• This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for 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. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

• 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.