Telecommunications Technician, Bamako, Closing date: Thursday, 18 June 2015

• Organization: MINUSMA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
• Country: Mali
• City: Bamako, Mali
• Office: MINUSMA HQ

Posting Title: TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN, FS5
Job Code Title: TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN
Department/ Office: United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
Duty Station: BAMAKO
Posting Period: 3 June 2015-18 June 2015
Job Opening number: 15-IST-MINUSMA-43724-F-BAMAKO (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
These positions are located in Bamako in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The incumbent will be under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Communication and Information Technology Section (CITS) and the Operations Manager CITS, and the direct supervision of Telecommunications Officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Telecommunications Technician will perform duties in one or more of the following telecommunications specialties
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 the 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 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 the 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 practises;
• Leads the team to erect self-supporting and guyed communications towers to a height of 300ft;
• Installs antennas, transmission lines and accessories;
• Coordinates the planned and preventive maintenance program for the tower systems deployed across the mission;
• Perform 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, liasing with UN Headquarters and UNGSC;
• Coordinates the periodic and preventive maintenance of all VTC-related equipment;
• Perform other related duties as required.

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, 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;
• Liases 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 area networks, satellite communications systems, radio systems, video-conferencing 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.

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.

Planning and organizing

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• identifies priority activities and assignments;
• adjusts priorities as required;
• allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
• foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• uses time efficiently

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent and certification/diploma in other supplemental academic qualifications, training in Telecommunications and Information Systems are required. Industry training and certifications is desirable.

Work Experience

• At least eight (8) years of working experience in the planning and installation of complex telecommunications equipment, networks and information systems is required.
• Field experience in United Nations Peacekeeping missions is desirable.

Languages

• French and English are the working languages of the UN Secretariat.
• For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
• Knowledge of French (both oral and written) is desirable.

Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an informal interview.
United Nations Considerations
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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No Fee
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