TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICAL 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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 2,495 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the five regional Commissions of the United Nations. It was founded in 1948 with the purpose of contributing to the region's economic and social development. Its mission includes the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies and the provision of advisory services, expertise and training to Governments, as well as support for regional and international cooperation and coordination activities. Please visit our website at www.eclac.org for further information.

This position is in the Telecommunications Unit, Information and Communications Technologies Section, Division of Administration. The Communications Technician reports to the Telecommunications Unit Coordinator.

The Telecommunications Technician plays a pivotal role in supporting and ensuring the seamless operation of all telecommunications systems within ECLAC. Primary responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks that ensure effective communication and optimal system performance.

Responsibilities

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

Satellite Earth-station Operations • Assists in operation and maintenance of 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. • Monitors satellite link performance. • Performs fault diagnosis and repair. • Maintains earth-station records and documentation. • Undertakes spare parts tracking. • Performs other related duties as required.

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 at Headquarters, the Offices Away from Headquarters, and/or Missions. • 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 Operation • Analyzes and reviews requests for telephone services; advise 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 video conference hardware/software using available communication and network connectivity. • Assists in meetings’ preparation by preparing and configuring conference hardware in various locations throughout headquarters 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. • Performs other related duties as required.

Radio Communications and Video Surveillance System Installation and Maintenance • Installs, configures and tests radio communications and video surveillance hardware/software using available radio communication and video surveillance infrastructure. • Assists in meetings’ preparation by preparing and configuring conference hardware in various locations throughout headquarters and operates equipment during conferences. • Provides support and training for new users of radio communications and video surveillance equipment and systems. • Researches and evaluates new conference products ensuring compatibility with current operational standards and growth for future needs. • Performs other related duties as required. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

Additional Responsibilities

System Maintenance & Monitoring: Regularly inspect all telecommunications systems, including: • Satellite phones and digital radio systems, ensuring their reliability. • Troubleshooting: Resolve any issues promptly to minimize downtime and maintain communication continuity. • Infrastructure Setup: Assist in setting up various telecommunications services, ensuring their proper integration. • Equipment Inventory & Documentation: Keep all records and documentation up to date, reflecting any changes or upgrades. • Collaboration: Work closely with various units to guarantee efficient deployment of communication systems. • Training: Educate staff on utilizing telecommunications equipment and software effectively. • Compliance & Security: Collaborate with the security team to safeguard data transmission and storage. • New Technology Evaluation: Stay abreast of the latest telecommunications technologies and recommend incorporations as necessary. • Emergency Preparedness: Conduct regular tests and have backup solutions ready for emergencies. • Proactive Approach: Demonstrate technical expertise and a collaborative attitude to ensure robust and reliable communication systems.

Competencies

• Professionalism Knowledge of telecommunication equipment, principles of operations, including local area networks, satellites, radio and video surveillance systems, voice and messaging systems. Knowledge of satellite earth station technology, and principles of analog and digital transmission. Knowledge of synchronous and asynchronous data interface standards and protocols. Knowledge of satellite modem, CSU/DSU, and digital line driver operation. 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. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• 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

Supplemental technical or university courses in the field of Electronic, Communications Engineering, Computer Technology or related fields is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in telecommunications or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Spanish is a working language of ECLAC. For the position advertised, knowledge of English is required; and fluency of Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

NOTE: ‘Fluency’’ equals a rating of ‘’fluent’’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and ‘knowledge’’ equals a rating of ‘’confident’’ or “fluent’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 Dec 2024. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• 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.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

• 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.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.