Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference and information services (www.unon.org).

The Project Engineer, Audio Visual Systems officer will serve as a technical adviser for specific disciplines embedded within the current UNON operations. The position is established to ensure that the detailed requirements of UNON conference management including Audio/Visual, Broadcasting, Archiving, Streaming, Digital Signage, Post-Production and Operations Monitoring and Management are accurately included in the design and implementation of the Conference Facility Upgrade project. The staff member will serve as a focal point for Audio Visual conference engineering competence and assist the design and construction service team in a dedicated partnership throughout the entire project duration. She/he will play an essential role in coordinating the project with the already existing functions at UNON. The position is essential in ensuring that the design and construction of the Audio-Visual systems fully integrate with the UN systems.

This post is located in the Conference Facility Capital Project team within the Division of Administrative Services (DAS), UNON and directly reports to the Chief, Design and Construction Section.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Design and Construction, the Audio-Visual Engineer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Understands and captures the current UNON Conference architecture, defines the future (target) architecture, undertakes gap analysis to define areas of discrepancy; ensures adherence to global and local technology standards and procedures.
• Provides expert advice on the project’s systems analysis and project design vis-à-vis audio-visual and related systems; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development, and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics, and performance metrics as required.
• Provides input for the development of cost proposals for contractual services, participates in the technical evaluation of proposals received and manages the contract service.
• Supports tracking and monitoring of the Section’s progress against plan, requirements, quality measures, standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases of development and implementation.
• Provides leadership and work direction to contractors and/or suppliers.
• Is actively involved in the execution of the most complex aspects of the project (e.g., systems analysis, development, implementation etc.); contributes to the development of document and database structures, ensuring that all design aspects are addressed, and control and security mechanisms are established.
• Develops, implements, and monitors information standards and guidelines, including testing paradigms.
• Prepares technical and user documentation for entire systems and interdependent applications; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies; provides leadership on introducing technological changes; prepares various technical reports.
• Facilitates communications within the Conference Facilities Capital Project team and with the UNON Information, Communication and Technology Service (ICTS), Division of Conference Services and other project stakeholders to ensure effective project coordination.
• Acts as a focal point on Conference Management Audio-Visual matters with the contractor.
• Develops and manages internal and external coordination processes to manage related activities in relation to the execution of the renovation and construction works.
• Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan.
• Contributes to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Documents requirements and background information used for data analysis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the latest technologies in planning, design, development, operation and maintenance of Conference Management and Simultaneous Interpretation systems (CMSI) including Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI), AV Distribution and Control, AV Broadcasting and Recording Systems including Web Streaming, Video Conferencing, Digital Signage, Conference Control Room Architecture and Engineering. Ability to develop and oversee large centralized or decentralized institutional systems possessing conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information systems and business operational issues to thoroughly analyse and evaluate critical systems matters. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

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

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics, business management or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

A certificate in Audio/Visual (AV), is desirable.

A certificate in Project Management and related fields such as Certified Technology Specialist (CTS), Dante, IT infrastructure Library (ITIL), Prince2, Project Management Professional (PMP) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (2) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, operation and maintenance of Conference Management and Simultaneous Interpretation Systems (CMSI), AV Distribution and Control, AV Broadcasting and Recording Systems including Web Streaming, Video Conferencing, Digital Signage, Conference Control Room Architecture and Engineering are required.

Experience in managing and delivering highly complex projects within a multi-project programme is required.

Experience in integrating large-scale information systems and implementing Conference Management solutions to optimize business processes is required.

Experience with Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) is desirable.

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

A minimum of two (2) years of work experience with an international organization similar to the UN 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 French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: “fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of” equals a rating of ” confident” 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 is a project post. This post is funded for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF KENYA ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Kenyan nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Kenyan in the event of an employment offer.

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

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have
been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

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.