Position: Telecommunication Engineer

Application Deadline: August, 28/2023

Organization Setting and Reporting

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 SDGs and Agenda 2063.

The mission is guided by ECA's five new strategic directions which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

This position is located in the Information Communications Technology Services Section (ICTSS) of the Publications, Conference and Knowledge Management Division (PCKMD), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Telecommunications Officer reports directly to the Chief of Section:

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Telecommunications Engineer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Plans and directs major systems projects of significant importance to the institution or major components of these complex systems which typically impact critical operations and large or multiple user groups.

• Provides expert advice on the management, operation and maintenance of complex communications systems to transport voice, data and image, including assessments for efficient bandwidth usage and growth; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates; provides plans for set-up and operation of communication infrastructure from “scratch” at local and wide area levels.

• Develops plans for secured communication networks including use of encryption.

• Develops technical specifications/cost proposals for procurement/contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of bids and proposals received and monitors the procurement process; manages the contract service.

• Manages telecommunications assets with respect to deployment, usage and redeployment.

• Tracks and monitors communications projects’ progress against plans, requirements, quality measures, and standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases of development and implementation.

• Actively provides professional leadership and work direction to the communications team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff, etc.

• Develops, implements and monitors communication standards and guidelines.

• Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies; provides leadership on introducing technological changes; prepares various technical reports.

• Develops and recommends strategies to address specific telecommunications, connectivity and related training needs of Headquarters or the missions.

• Provides emergency communications capabilities in support of staff security, including providing a focal point for inter-agency emergency field security communications liaison.

• Ensures effective coordination with other UN agencies in order to maximize possibilities of inter-agency collaboration in the field of telecommunications

• Develops disaster recovery plans and ensure appropriate planning and training of those responsible.

• Lead team members' efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

• Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

• Performs 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, and radio and satellite communication systems Ability to analyze telecommunication data and conduct reviews. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

•Planning& 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.

•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 the client.

•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 a willingness to learn new technology.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in electronic, technical or communications engineering, technical science, computer technology or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in electronic data transmission, network design, communications or related areas is required

• Proven acumen in financial responsibility, especially pertaining to administering and optimizing of budgets is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in IT Service Management (ITSM), reflecting a comprehensive understanding of how IT services align with organizational needs is desirable.

• Hands-on experience in the deployment, customization, and daily operations of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platforms is desirable.

• Practical know-how in implementing, and overseeing cost recovery strategies for ICT services rendered, ensuring both financial responsibility and organizational sustainability are desirable.

• A track record in producing and maintaining relevant and user-centric IT Service Catalogues is desirable.

• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is required; and knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

How to Apply

• Register using THIS LINK