Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in Kinshasa in Field Technology Section (FTS) of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). The FS5 Telecommunications Technician reports to the Chief ICT Operations Management.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Telecommunications Technician will perform duties across the following telecommunications specialties: Microwave Radio Systems: • Leads the preparation and installation of microwave radio systems and associated equipment. • Supervises the setup, configuration, and testing of various digital microwave radio systems using specialized and complex testing equipment. • Coordinates the programming, testing, and commissioning of new equipment prior to deployment. • Oversees radio-link calculations and best path profile analysis, including interference analysis, to ensure high-capacity availability. • Collaborates with the Rigging unit on the deployment of antennas and feeder lines on communication towers and masts. • Maintains technical awareness and readiness to embrace changes with innovative ideas and technology. • Proposes methods to ensure redundancy in path options for disaster recovery and business continuity. Satellite: • Coordinates the installation of satellite antennas, ODE/IDE, associated shelters, foundations, and oversees the commissioning, maintenance, and operation of C-band, X-band, and Ku-band satellite communication systems, including antennas up to nine (9) meters, satellite modems, transceivers, LNAs, and High Power Satellite Amplifiers (HPA and SSPA). • Supervises the commissioning, maintenance, and training of end-users for portable satellite communication terminals. Rigging: • Plans the construction and maintenance of communication towers and associated antenna systems; determines tower location and height in collaboration with telecommunications engineers to ensure site accessibility. • Oversees the construction of tower foundations and anchor points, ensuring compliance with manufacturer specifications and industry best practices. • Leads the team in erecting self-supporting and guyed communication towers up to 300 feet; installs antennas, transmission lines, and accessories. • Coordinates the planned and preventive maintenance program for tower systems deployed across the mission. Infrastructure: • Prepares blueprints and plans, constructs and maintains communications cabling infrastructure for data and telephone systems. • Coordinates activities related to trenching, as well as external and internal wiring and conduit installations. • Works with telecommunications engineers to plan the physical network layout and provides input for the procurement and inventory of all hardware and cabling needed for installations. • Assists other technical departments with the installation of switching equipment, main and sub-distribution frames, and RF transmission lines and accessories as needed. • Drafts relevant technical documentation for major telecommunications systems and physical infrastructure. Radio Systems: • Leads the installation of VHF mobile and base stations, repeaters, trunking radio systems, antennas, and related equipment; handles programming of radios and performs preventive and corrective maintenance on various types of radio equipment. • Coordinates with other UN agencies and local authorities on radio frequency matters. • Manages the erection of antenna masts and towers. • Oversees the training of non-technical radio users in the operation of hand-held portable radios, mobile radios, and base stations. • Installs and maintains servers related to radio systems, including TrboNet Plus, TrboNet Watch, Radio Manager, and their respective databases. Network 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; Common Duties: Other duties and responsibilities common to the above specialties include, but are not limited to: • Leads 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 collection of specifications for the procurement of equipment, spare parts, and supplies. • Ensures that all necessary spare parts and supplies are available to minimize downtime. • Coordinates regularly scheduled preventive and corrective maintenance on telecommunications installations and equipment. • Liaises with the asset management unit to maintain accurate inventory records. • Organizes the receiving and inspection of new equipment with the Asset Management Unit. • Takes the lead in developing technical training curricula and conducting 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 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; 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. 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. 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Certification/diploma in other supplemental academic qualifications and training in Telecommunications and Information Systems are required. Certification in ITIL Foundation, Prince2 Foundation and BRMP is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in planning and installing complex telecommunications equipment, networks, and information systems is required. Experience coordinating and managing telecommunications systems for an international organization is required. Supervisory experience in the telecommunications industry is desirable. Relevant knowledge and experience in planning and implementing various outdoor telecommunications infrastructure in remote locations is desirable. At least (3) three years of experience working in a United Nations Common system field operation—such as peacekeeping, political missions, or UN agencies, funds, and programs—or a similar international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.

Languages

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations. For the advertised position, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French (both oral and written) 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 “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. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. 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. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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.