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 which is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the Two Areas) and Darfur; and support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.
The position is based in Khartoum and is located in the Operations and Resource Management Section, Field Technology Unit. The incumbent will report to the Chief, Field Technology.
Job Description
| Department/Office: | United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan |
| Posting Title: | TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN, FS5 |
| Job Code Title: | TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN |
| Duty Station: | KHARTOUM |
| Posting Period: | 21 December 2020 – 03 January 2021 |
| Job Opening Number: | 20-Telecommunications Technology-UNITAMS-147097-F-Khartoum (M) |
| Staffing Exercise | N/A |
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 mission: 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 of300ft; 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:
- 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;
- Organizes 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 or equivalent diploma is required.
- Certification/diploma in other supplemental academic qualifications, training in Telecommunications and Information Systems is desirable.
- Project Management certification is desirable.
Work Experience
- A minimum of eight (8) years of working experience in the planning and installation of complex telecommunications equipment, networks and information systems, including at least three (3) 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
Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.
Special Notice
This job opening is being advertised for advance planning purposes pending formal approval of the relevant funding and staffing structures. An appointment may be terminated, or post level adjusted in accordance with the Staff Rules for such reasons as abolition of post or reduction of staff or committee funding approvals, for example in the event that the funding for the post is not approved or the mandate of the mission is not extended.
The selected candidate will be expected to deploy in time to commence work no sooner than 1 January 2021.
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 specified in the Job Opening.
Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
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.
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