TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide.

This position is located in the Remote Mission Support Unit (RMSU) of the Infrastructure Operations Section (IOS) within the Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunication Technology (SGITT) at the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi, Italy.

The incumbent will report to a Telecommunications Officer or other designated officer.

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

Satellite Earth-station Operations: - Acts as focal point for receipt and processing of user requests. - Provides basic technical support on relevant Server hardware and software systems applications in assigned area. - Installs application systems software and hardware on servers according to specifications. - Provides basic support in the planning, specification, design, development, implementation and maintenance of customized application software systems; works with senior IT staff on the definition and specification of requirements; builds, tests and modifies prototype application software based on detailed instructions; installs and maintains software systems.

Wide Area Network Operations (WAN): - Monitors transmission performance of all local and remote network nodes at the link and at the I/O levels. - Coordinates with leased line carrier and/or remote site technical support staff, service restoration during facility failures. - Maintains Network Control Center/Network Operations Center records and Wide Area Network documentation. - Maintains WAN equipment inventory and tracks repair history of WAN nodal equipment and modules. - 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 (LAN): - Monitors the performance of the LAN, Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and high speed Internet access facilities. - Assists in 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. - Maintains LAN and MAN equipment inventory. - Prepares and revises network diagrams and network documentation. - Performs other related duties as required.

Voice and Messaging Operations: - Analyzes and reviews requests for telephone services; advises UN officials and or facilities staff, e.g., architects, electricians, movers) in preparing requests for services to ensure they are cost-effective and physically feasible. - Formulates technical service orders and follows up on pending work orders, requisitions, trouble reports, etc., to ensure work is completed in a timely fashion. - Decides on type of equipment/services needed. - Maintains liaison with outside contractor telecommunications representatives with regard to any change, correction or discrepancy on the above and other technical information on procedures; oversees installations, monitors quality and quantity of work performed by contractors and compiles and prepares statistics on same. - Drafts and prepares blueprints showing equipment locations for telephone technicians and facilities management staff. - Assists in the design and development of work order databases and maintains the databases using Advanced computer technology. - Performs other related duties as required.

Audio/Visual Conference Services: - Installs, configures and tests audio, video conference and desktop videoconference hardware/software using available communication and network connectivity. - Assists in meetings' preparation by preparing and configuring conference hardware and operates equipment during conferences. - Provides support and training for new users of conference systems. - Researches and evaluates new conference products ensuring compatibility with current operational standards and growth for future needs.

Telephone Billing Services: - Ensures that clear and accurate records of all telephone accounts, documentation and invoices are maintained. - Follows up on outstanding payments and recovery of charges. - Maintains electronic records of all expenditures for commercial communications of the Mission and provides CITS budget officer with this information on a regular basis. - Maintains comprehensive filing system of invoices, statements and correspondence for all telephone systems, including issue and return vouchers for mobile and satellite SIM cards. - Ensures that all telephone billing documents are scanned and electronically stored before being archived. - Perform other duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of information technology and systems, including operation and maintenance of Data Center Infrastructure. Good technical skills, ability to conduct infrastructure maintenance, structured cabling installation maintenance and manage services and support. 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.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) Foundation Certification is desirable.

PRINCE 2 Foundation Certification is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in telecommunications or related area is required.

Experience in information systems analysis and programming is desirable.

Experience in information systems administration and maintenance is desirable.

Experience in writing technical information, such as writing guidelines for technical equipment and processes is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country.

Applicants who are Italian nationals or nationals of a member state of the European Union need to upload a copy of their national passport. All other applicants need to have a valid work permit for Italy and need to upload a copy of such work permit. All other applicants, except current UNGSC staff members in Brindisi, need to provide a Certificato Penale and Certificato di Carichi Pendenti. Attachments need to be uploaded in Step 8 of the online application. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Service category in the United Nations Secretariat. Having passed the Administrative Assessment Support Test (ASAT) in English at Headquarters, ECA, ESCWA, UNOG, UNOV, ICTR, or ICTY may be recognized in place of the GGST, pending confirmation of validity.

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.