TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Contract

This is a FS-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-6 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located within the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in Laayoune. Laayoune is classified as a "D" hardship duty station and a family duty station. The Telecommunications Officer will report to Chief Field Technology Section.

Responsibilities Within the limits of delegated authority, the Telecommunications Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Manages the design, installation and maintenance of telecommunications systems such as satellite based systems, microwave systems, high capacity telephone PABX systems, UHF/HF/VHF and video conferencing equipment.
• Plans and directs major telecommunications systems projects for the Mission;
• Establishes performance standards for telecommunications equipment and services and recommends corrective measures to improve service quality and operational performance;
• Manages and is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of all telecommunications networks within the mission;
• Provides support for the development of technical specifications for procurement of equipment; evaluates vendor’s proposals, performs tests and recommends selection of telecommunications equipment
• Provides planning support for rapid deployment of communications networks and infrastructure at the inception of new missions or projects, including visiting sites for technical reconnaissance missions;
• Interfaces with local authorities and governmental offices to obtain telephone lines, frequency allocations, tower permissions, frequency allocations, and any other formality necessary to obtain and deliver telecommunications services to the Mission.
• Provides emergency communications capabilities in support of staff security and evacuation plans;
• Reviews the submission and processing of telecommunications requisitions for equipment supplies and spares
• Initiates contact with counterparts within United Nations agencies to maximize inter-agency collaboration;
• Supervise staff/technicians as required.

• Performs other duties, as assigned.

  Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of communication equipment with adequate skills for their design and commissioning. Knowledge of operations of commercial telecommunications services, voice and data communications techniques, radio and satellite communication systems. Ability to analyze telecommunication data and conduct reviews. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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.

Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education High school or equivalent diploma is required. Technical training certifications in Telecommunications are desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years or (five (5) years with a first level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in telecommunication, electronic data transmission, network design or related areas is required. Experience managing and delivering highly complex projects, and experience in integrating large-scale telecommunications systems is required. At least 2 years’ experience providing services in the field of telecommunications, electronic data transmission, network design or related areas to or in a field operation of the United Nations common system or comparable international organization is required. Two years’ experience in the field of telecommunications, electronic data transmission, network design or related areas in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Background experience on Cisco Call Manager and Ericsson MD110 PABX telephone systems is desirable. Experience of working within a Military/Law Enforcement environment desirable.

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

Assessment Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.