ICT Network and Telecoms Associate GS-6, Caracas, Venezuela.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to opportunities

How can you make a difference? 

ICT Network and Telecoms Associate at this level perform a full range of procedural activities in support of ICT to ensure effective use of network and telecommunications services in the offices, missions and for the emergencies by the Staff.

Activities include:

• Ensure the network and connectivity services, primary and secondary links in the offices as well as preventive and corrective maintenance of the networks and energy equipment in the telecom’s rooms of the offices, including the support to the use of an alternative energy equipment deployed for emergency situations.  
• Setting up the ICT communication and network infrastructure to support the Business Continuity Plan and the Disaster Recovery Plan.
• On a continuing basis, administer and maintain UNICEF's LAN services and network components: ranging from hardware installation of network equipment (including Access Points, Switches and Firewalls, etc.)
• Ensures minimal down time and maximum staff productivity through effective services, infrastructure improvement, monitoring and compliance to standards.
• Ensure the remote connectivity and communication services using means of connection, such as, VHF and HF radios, point to point connections, satellite (BGAN, Iridium and Starlink) and mobile services.
• Explore alternative network and communication infrastructure and new technology to ensure continuing connectivity.
• Maintaining and updating the configuration files and systems that are used to administrate the network services.
• Prepares and maintains a logical LAN topology, including diagrams and topology descriptions.
• Support the ICT emergency preparedness activities within the Country Office as frequently as required by the office. Support creation of the Country Office level disaster recovery plan and utilize ICT emergency preparedness checklist.
• Periodically produces reports on availability, capacity and other elements in support of the overall network infrastructure.

ICT Network and Telecoms Associate are accountable for specialized support pertaining to routine ICT activities requiring thorough understanding and application of technical support on hardware and software. 

Activities include:

• Providing first and second level support that includes receiving, processing and logging service requests.
• Providing user support/troubleshooting on the web and digital services, such as Sharepoint, Onedrive, Kobotoolbox, Teams, Secure Access and others. 
• Managing lifecycle of ICT incidents assigned to him/her in service management tool.
• Providing on-the-job orientation for users in the use of ICT systems and equipment.
• Maintaining ICT inventory, manuals and other documentation with special emphasis in network and telecoms services.

The work of ICT Network and Telecoms Associate impacts on the delivery of routine ICT administration activities that are closely interrelated with the work of other members of the ICT team to which assigned. The work performed affects not only the functionality of fundamental ICT systems, but also the operational efficiency of staff throughout the organization. Indirectly his/her work impacts on delivery of organization-wide programmes.  ICT Network and Telecoms Associate also play a key role in providing ICT customer service support (primary and second level) and troubleshooting tasks. The incumbents are routinely involved in working closely with colleagues in ICT on crosscutting issues and with client departments and staff in the handling and resolving of routine as well as minor specialized processes and delivery of ICT services. These relationships are important to ensure that (a) client needs are met expeditiously, (b) ICT systems are functioning as designed and (c) UNICEF’s staff are kept aware of new software releases, tools and equipment.   

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of Secondary education is required, supplemented with formal training in Computer Science, Information Systems, Networks and Telecommunications. Training related to network and telecommunications services and alternative energy systems is required. ITIL Foundation Certificate or equivalent customer support certification is an asset.  For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience.
• Work Experience: A minimum of six years of practical work experience in information technology and IT with emphasis in activities related to network and telecommunications services. Experience in providing assistance to users on IT through systematic methods of troubleshooting and problem solving and the use of applications and diagnostic tools is required. Practical experience in providing technical and business Customer Support and Services is required. Practical experience and working knowledge of various computer platforms and applications is required. UN experience is highly valued.
• Skills
  • Good knowledge of UNICEF’s ICT regulations, rules and procedures as well as systems and applications.
  • Good working knowledge of computer information systems, as well as, network and telecommunications services, including micro-computer operating systems software (e.g. Windows), hardware and applications software and other office technology equipment.
  • Ability to understand data and effectively use office technology systems for its input and extraction.
  • Ability to provide on-the-job orientation to clients.
  • Takes responsibility to respond to service needs promptly and proactively.
  • Demonstrates a high degree of integrity, reliability and honors matters of confidentiality.
  • Ability to handle work quickly and accurately under time constraints.
  Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and Basic in English are required. Intermediate in English is desirable. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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. UNICEF´s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.  

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information. 

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant pillar, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.