Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Bangui, in Field Technology Section (FTS) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Telecommunications Technician will report to the Chief Operations Management Unit.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Telecommunications Technician will be responsible for performing duties in one or more of the following telecommunications specialties: Radio, Telephony systems, Satellite, Infrastructure, Video-Teleconferencing and others.
Radio:
• Takes the lead in the installation of VHF, UHF and HF Mobile, base stations and repeaters, 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.

Telephony 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, Cisco Unified Communication Manager infrastructure, 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 lead 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 / testing of satellite antennas, CrossPol and CW test, 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); LNB and BUCs.
• Supervises the commissioning, maintenance and the training of end users for portable satellite communication terminals such as SatCubes, Starwin, BGAN and Thuraya IP;
• Liaises with UN Headquarters and UNGSC regarding initial installations, including frequency coordination;
• Performs other duties as required.

Infrastructure:
• Prepares blueprints and plans, constructs and maintains communications cabling and wireless 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 equipment, hardware and cabling requirements for installations;
• Coordinates configuration and installation of networking and 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, environment monitoring systems, 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 minimise downtimes;
• 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;
• Organises 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 telecommunication equipment, principles of operations, including local and wide area networks, satellite communications systems, radio systems, videoconferencing systems, voice and messaging systems, and principles of analog and digital transmission; Knowledge of synchronous and asynchronous data interface standards and protocols; Strong knowledge of RF Technologies C Band, Ku Band, EIRP, Link Budget, G/T, Modulation and coding Techniques, SSOG guidelines and DBAS network. Ability to apply knowledge and technical skills to install and test relevant equipment, provide maintenance services and user support. 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.

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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Industry training and certifications in VSAT technologies is required .

Work Experience

A minimum of eight (8) years of working experience in the planning and installation of complex satellite communication networks, networks and information systems, including at least three (3) years of experience at the international level is required.

Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organisation or non-governmental organisation – in a high-risk conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Experience in the operation and maintenance of large-scale satellite communication systems is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

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.

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.

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.

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.