Telecommunications Technician

Contract

This is a FS-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 8 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-5 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS to support the political transition in Sudan and the progress towards democratic governance, protection and promotion of human rights and sustainable peace. UNITAMS will support peace processes and the implementation of future peace agreements, assist peace-building, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Darfur and the Two Areas. UNITAMS will also support the mobilization of economic and development assistance and the coordination of humanitarian assistance.

The position is based in Khartoum, Sudan and is located in the Office of the Chief of Mission Support. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Mission Support.

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

Radio •Takes the lead in the installation of VHF, UHF and HF Mobile, base stations and repeaters, rural telephone links, trunking radio systems, antennas and related equipment; programming of radios, preventive and corrective maintenance on various types of radio; •Liaises with other UN agencies and local authorities on matters related to radio frequencies coordination; •Coordinates the erection of antenna masts and towers; •Coordinates the training of non-technical radio users on the operation of hand-held portable radios, mobile radios, base stations and related equipment; •Performs other related duties as required.

Microwave Radio Systems: •Takes the lead in the preparation and installation of microwave radio systems and related equipment; •Supervises the setup, configuration and testing of various digital microwave radio systems utilising a wide range of specialised and complex test equipment; •Coordinates the programming, testing and commissioning of new equipment prior to deployment; •Coordinates radio-link calculation and path profile analysis; •Liaises with the Rigging unit regarding the deployment of relevant antennas and feeder lines on communications towers and masts; •Performs other related duties as required.

PABX/Switching Systems: •Leads the installation and commissioning, and the operation and maintenance of a range of telephony systems and related equipment deployed in the ission: to include, PABX switches, voice mail systems, encrypted voice and facsimile devices; cordless mobile telephones and associated base stations, self-contained cellular telephone systems, and computerised telephone accounting and billings systems; •Coordinates the planned and preventive maintenance routines for all telephony systems; •Takes the leads in the implementation and maintenance of computerised telephone call logging and automated billing system; •Coordinates the acquisition of local commercial and cellular services; •Performs other related duties as required.

Satellite: •Coordinates the installation of satellite antennas, ODE/IDE, associated shelters, foundations, commissions, maintenance and operation of C-band, X-band and Ku-band satellite communications systems, comprising antennas in sizes up to nine (9) meters, satellite modems, satellite transceivers, LNA, High Power Satellite Amplifiers (HPA and SSPA); •Supervises the commissioning, maintenance and the training of end users for portable satellite communication terminals; •Liaises with UN Headquarters and UNGSC regarding initial installations, including frequency coordination; •Performs other duties as required.

Rigging: •Plans construction and maintenance of communications towers and associated antenna systems; determines tower location and height in coordination with the telecommunications engineers plans and ensures site accessibility; •Oversees the construction of tower foundations and anchor points in compliance with manufacturer’s specifications and good industry practices; •Leads the team to erect self-supporting and guyed communications towers to a height of 300ft; Installs antennas, transmission lines and accessories; •Coordinates the planned and preventive maintenance program for the tower systems deployed across the Mission; •Performs other related duties as required.

Infrastructure: •Prepares blueprints and plans, constructs and maintains communications cabling infrastructure for data and telephone; •Coordinates the activities associated with trenching, external and internal wiring and conduit installations; •Coordinates with the telecommunications engineers to plan physical network layout; provides input to complete the procurement and inventory of all hardware and cabling requirements for installations; •Assists other technical departments in the installation of switching equipment, main and sub-distribution frames and assist with RF transmission lines and accessories as required; •Drafts relevant technical documentation for major telecommunications systems and physical plant; •Performs other related duties as required.

Video-teleconferencing: •Leads the installation, operation and maintenance of video-teleconferencing (VTC) equipment and systems; •Liaises with the other units in the development of videoconferencing applications; •Coordinates activities associated with VTC services provision for the mission, liaising with UN Headquarters and UNGSC; •Coordinates the periodic and preventive maintenance of all VTC-related equipment.

Common duties: •Other duties and responsibilities common to the specialties above include, but are not limited to: •Takes the lead in the installation of auxiliary equipment such as power supplies, solar power systems, UPS units, Voltage Regulators, DC converters and various protection and remote control systems; •Supervises the gathering of specifications for the procurement of equipment, spares and supplies; •Ensures that all the required spare parts and supplies are in place so as to minimize downtime; •Coordinates regularly scheduled and preventative and corrective maintenance on telecommunications installations and equipment; •Liaises with the asset management unit regarding the upkeep of proper inventory records; •Organices with the Asset Management Unit the receiving/inspection of new equipment; •Takes the lead in formulating technical training curriculum and the conduct of in-house training programs for national staff and others within the unit; •Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of communication equipment with adequate skills for their installation and maintenance. 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 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.

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.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations 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 is required. Certification/diploma in other supplemental academic qualifications, training in Telecommunications and Information Systems is desirable

Work Experience A minimum of eight years of working experience in the planning and installation of complex telecommunications equipment, networks and information systems, including at least three years of experience at the international level is required. Experience providing services in the field of telecommunications or related area to or in a field operation of the United Nations common system or comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Experience in the operation and maintenance of large scale telecommunications systems 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 Arabic is desirable.

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

Special Notice Please note that this is a temporary job opening, open to internal and external candidates. The temporary position is advertised for a duration of 6 months. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidates may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.

A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources where no other suitable candidate could be identified.

Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.

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.

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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.

The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.

Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.

The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English

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.

Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

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.