Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference and information services (www.unon.org). This post is located in the Nairobi duty station, within the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) of the Division of Administrative Services (DAS) in UNON. The incumbent will report to the Chief, Network and Communication Unit. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities
Technical Responsibilities: • Implement and support unified communications system at the UN Gigiri Complex. Provide lead in design, implementation and support of all Unified Communications infrastructure at the UN Nairobi complex including Communications Managers, border controllers, voice gateways, voice circuits (IP or TDM) call centers, IVRs and Auto attendants. • Ensure unified communications services are available to all staff in the UN Nairobi complex based on industry best practices. • Perform routine infrastructure system (devices and applications) maintenances, upgrades, and migrations. • Proactively monitoring the unified communications systems, providing technical support and attend to escalation on any issues related to the Unified Communications Systems. • LAN, WAN Support-Manage end to end voice quality by working closely with network team to troubleshoot network issues and provide capacity recommendations especially for telecommunications for Offices Away from Headquarters (OAHs). • Backend support for the videoconference services-ensuring availability of videoconference services for all staff in Gigiri. Including availability of third-party services-Zoom, Webex, and MS Teams. Including support of Remote Simultaneous Interpretation Services. • Maintains information systems and telecommunications to support UNON and client agency field offices, including business continuity process – 5G cellular connectivity, satellites, BGANS for emergency internet, Starlink backup connectivity, Digital Signage installations, Thuraya satellite telecommunications systems. • Conducts analysis and evaluation and make recommendations for various hardware, software, and equipment, including service and maintenance agreements. • Manage vendor relationships – escalate issues when appropriate. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Performing other related duties as required. Documentation and Training: • Provide training to UN Nairobi staff on the installed Unified Communications systems and features. • Review data monitoring statistics and confirm SLAs with platforms and carriers are being met. • Maintain detailed design and operational documentation on the installed communications systems. Technology Management and Planning: • Participate in planning, design, and implementation of new collaboration technologies. • Participate and contribute to the Unified Communication Architecture Review Boards (ARB) aimed at developing organization-wide UC standards. • Work with the rest of the IT teams in designing and planning integration of UC applications. • Keep up to date with new trends in unified communications.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of information technology, including information security, Unified Communication and collaboration systems and computer system networks; knowledge of collaboration technology design architecture across a variety of platforms, including Cisco, Webex, Microsoft Teams, and Aruba; extensive knowledge of intrusion prevention systems, SSL certificates, proxy and content filtering technologies, and cloud services; knowledge of tools and techniques used for threat and risk assessment and understanding of current Collaboration landscape; modelling of proposed design solutions techniques such as EVE-NG, GNS3 and Packet Tracer; knowledge of network monitoring and telemetry tools and capabilities; shows pride in work and in achievements; ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making; 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; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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 limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
Completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job – Specific Qualification
A minimum of Cisco Certifications such as CCNP Collaboration, or CCIE Collaboration is required. Certification in Project Management from Prince 2, PMI PMP or ITIL Service Management (ITIL V4) is required.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in the information technology field is required. At least five (5) years of experience in related IP telephony design/implementation experience including: Cisco Unified Communications Manager/Call Manager, Cisco Unity/Unity Connection, Cisco Contact Center Express (UCCX), Webex Contact Center, Webex Calling Suite (Calling, Meeting Teams & Video), Cisco Unified Presence, Cisco Emergency Responder, Cisco Unified Mobility, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, Video, Voice Gateways/Routers/Switches is required. Working experience in network routing and switching, troubleshooting network related problems and network security are desirable. Experience with medium to large enterprise organizations with multiple remote locations such as the UN or similar organisations is desirable. Experience working with application owners and other IT stakeholders to build and support the most efficient and stable networking capabilities is desirable. Experience with 24 x 7 support leadership in conjunction with a managed service provider maintaining accountability and measurement of uptime is desirable. 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: “fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. 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. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may provide to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
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.