Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Field Technology Section in Amret Al Faouar, Syria. The Telecommunications Officer reports to the Chief Field Technology Section. The selected candidate will supervise and coordinate the activities of the Field Technology Section (FTS) global infrastructure management unit and related projects therein, which include the mission-wide network infrastructure, cybersecurity, disaster recovery and business continuity management, satellite and microwave infrastructure, the secure radio communication network, asset management, FY budget preparation, alternate and renewable energy system as well as the server and telephony platform.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Telecommunications Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Lead the design, installation, testing, commissioning and decommissioning of various information communication technology (ICT) systems such as the mission-wide network infrastructure, the satellite and microwave infrastructure, the secure radio communication network, alternate and renewable energy as well as the server and telephony platform. • Lead the introduction of new systems while managing legacy systems throughout their lifecycle. • Draft specifications and standards for ICT equipment such as hub routers and switching systems, and creates and maintains documentation, in particular Standard Operating Procedures, Work Instructions, and documentation describing the functioning of the infrastructure, etc. • Provide support for developing technical specifications for equipment procurement; evaluate vendors’ proposals, perform tests, and recommend selection of ICT equipment. • Establish performance standards for telecommunications equipment and service and recommend corrective measures to improve service quality and operational performance. • Provide planning support for rapid set-up and operation of ICT infrastructure from “scratch” at local and wide area levels, including visiting UNDOF positions for technical reconnaissance operations. • Provide engineering services for planning, implementing, and maintaining local and wide area telecommunications networks. • Provide emergency communications capabilities supporting staff security, including providing a focal point for interagency emergency field security communications liaison. • Collaborate with FTS HR and Administration in preparing training modules and other training activities in all aspects of communications technology usage. *Maintains equipment inventory by updating asset managers on equipment movements, updating system configuration documentation and calculating equipment requirements, ensuring that operational needs are met and contingency backups are available. * Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Coordinates and promotes cybersecurity activities to identify and correct information security threats by compiling and maintaining information aligned with ISO standards, systems availability and traffic reports, system engineering diagrams, maintenance plans and reports, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Work Instructions (WIN), Disaster Recovery Plan, Operating and Service Level Agreements (OLAs and SLAs), etc • Prepare and make presentations on ICT networks, systems, and equipment to staff and other UN agencies. • Manage ICT Projects as per the project management standards, Prince2 standards and ITIL framework. • Ensure effective coordination with other UN agencies to maximize possibilities of inter-agency collaboration in the field of telecommunications. • Lead, manage and supervise various teams and staff/technicians as required. • Perform 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 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. • 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.Engineering Degree in telecommunications, information technology, electronics or related field is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

A technical or vocational certificate in Project Management such Prince2 is desirable A technical or vocational certificate in IT Service Management such as ITIL4 is desirable CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification is desirable. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Certification in Cisco technologies wireless and enterprise is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of Ten (10) years’ of progressively responsible professional experience in telecommunications, electronic data transmission, network design and experience in providing ICT operational support services or related field is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) Years for candidates who possess a first level university degree Experience leading and managing medium to large Information Telecommunications Technology teams over diverse geographical and remote areas is required Experience providing services in Information and Telecommunications Technology Systems or related area in a field operation of the United Nations common system or comparable international organization or in a military operations environment is desirable Experience in carrying out administrative functions, which would include preparation of budget/cost estimates, reporting on budget/programme performance, procurement of goods and services along with contract management, and the recruitment of staff, is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written 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.

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.