Job Title: Radio Communications Specialist
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: MINUSMA
Assignment country: Mali
Expected start date: 09/01/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Type: Onsite
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Bamako
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in the country and to carry out a number of security-related tasks. The Mission has been asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap, focusing on major population centers and lines of communication, protecting civilians, human rights monitoring, the creation of conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance and the return of displaced persons, the extension of State authority and the preparation of free, inclusive and peaceful elections. (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusma).
Context
In accordance with the tasks outlined below, the incumbent is expected to produce the following outputs: • Provide the Mission with reliable, robust, secure, and resilient Radio systems for integrated voice, data, tracking, and jamming services through fully coordinated and effective technical maintenance and support. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs). • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Telecommunications Technician Supervisor of the Radio Unit in the Field Technology Section (FTS), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Assist in the administration and operation, technical support, and monitoring of the Mission’s Radio systems. • Participate and assist in developing and executing Radio project plans, schedules, and technical resources required to complete the projects successfully. • Perform advanced technical support activities, installation, configuration, test and deployment of Tetra systems and related software including MTS, iTM, PRNM Suite, Mobile Dispatcher, tracking, subscribers, cabling, and antenna. • Perform advanced technical support activities, installation, configuration, test and deployment of HF systems and related software including HF data (RC50), HF tracking (internav and convoy), and HF voice. • Perform advanced technical support activities, installation, configuration, test, and deployment of IP-based air-to-ground radio systems and related software including SQL Based- Ricochet recording system, base, mobile, and portable radios. • Perform advanced technical support activities, installation, configuration, test and updating fills of electronic countermeasure (ECM) equipment. • Perform advanced technical support activities, installation, configuration, test, and deployment of interoperability systems that interconnect various communication systems including RIOS, IOP, and Wave. • Perform advanced technical support activities, installation, configuration, test, tuning of duplexers, and deployment of VHF repeaters including MTR2000. • Perform RF planning and testing using specialized tools including Site Master, Communications Analyzer (IFR 3920), and antenna tester. • Collect various statistics on the performance and reliability of the radio systems. • Provide end user support including repair, installation and programming of base, mobile, and handheld radios. • Work as part of FTS’ duty roster responsible for emergency customer support calls after official working hours. • Travel to the repeater sites Mission wide to rectify faults, perform planned maintenance and optimization. • Coordinate with various Radio Unit’s stakeholders for example, other FTS Units, UNGSC (Brindisi and Valencia) and the Engineering Section among others on crosscutting radio issues including Disaster Recovery, service transition, infrastructure, civil works, LAN, and WAN. • Perform any other tasks as signed by the immediate supervisor or other FTS managers.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in progressive experience as a Telecommunications Specialist specifically in planning, installing, configuring, and testing TETRA, HF, Air to Ground and Server systems. Knowledge and expertise in essential technical skills such as TETRA Dimetra-IP, Codan HF, Air to Ground, RTP, DHCP, TCP/IP and UDP is required. Proficiency in TETRA systems as a Field Technician and/or MSO in Engineering; IP-based Air-to-Ground radio systems; Microsoft SQL; Windows Server 2012; and possession of ITIL Foundation; Prince 2 Foundation and Rigging Certifications is desirable.
Area(s) of expertise
Information technology
Driving license
B Required
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Desirable French, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in University Degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Electronics, Electricity, similar disciplines in related fields or equivalent training and applied experience. Telecoms Certifications and trainings are an advantage. Proficiency in Microsoft applications; Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
Competencies and values
• Integrity and professionalism: Demonstrate effectiveness in the field of Telecommunications displaying skills in; planning, installing, configuring, and testing TETRA, HF, Air to Ground and Server systems. Exhibit skills in TETRA Dimetra-IP, Codan HF, Air to Ground, RTP, DHCP, TCP/IP and UDP. Ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative, and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality, and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately, and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: Mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priori-ties and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. • Communication: Proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote, and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The duration of your assignment is 12 months until 30 June 2018 with further possible extension based on Mission’s mandate, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,587. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates monthly according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website (http://icsc.un.org). For example, if the PAM for the current month is 54.6%, then the VLA for that month will be (US$ 1,587 x 54,6 /100) + 1,587= US$ 2,453. Moreover, a Family Allowance (FA) is added in accordance with the number of recognized dependents: US$ 250 if the UN Volunteer has 1 recognized dependent, and US$ 450 if the UN Volunteer has 2 or more recognized dependents. Accordingly, the VLA per month will be US$ for a volunteer without dependent; US$ for a volunteer with one recognized dependent and US$ for a volunteer with two or more recognized dependents. In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) monthly. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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