Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Context

The ICT Unit plays a critical role in enabling secure, reliable, and efficient communication and technology services across all operational areas. As part of the Information and Communication Technology team, ICT Associates provide frontline support to ensure that digital infrastructure, network systems, and communication platforms are functioning optimally. This support is essential for maintaining business continuity, safeguarding mission-critical assets, and facilitating collaboration across departments and field offices. In the context of humanitarian and development operations, particularly in high-demand environments like Kabul, ICT Associates are instrumental in deploying and maintaining robust connectivity solutions, supporting secure communications, and ensuring that staff have access to the tools and systems needed to carry out their work effectively.

Task Description

General ICT / Office Support ICT Associates at this level perform a comprehensive range of technical and procedural activities to support ICT operations. Their role ensures effective communication with client departments, divisions, and offices, and facilitates the efficient delivery of support to other ICT personnel. Key Responsibilities and Activities: • Conferencing Support: o Set up, operate, and troubleshoot ICT and audiovisual equipment for meetings, conferences, and remote sessions as requested. • Inventory and Documentation Management: o Maintain up-to-date records of ICT assets, manuals, and technical documentation. This includes lifting, relocating, mounting, and storing equipment as needed. • Network and Telecom Infrastructure: o Assist in the installation, configuration, and maintenance of LAN/WAN networks, VSAT systems, and telecommunication lines. o Support the deployment and testing of network switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless access points. o Monitor mission-critical connectivity assets and ensure compliance with lifecycle management protocols. • Security Communications Systems: o Participate in the programming and configuration of secure communication systems, including radio networks, encrypted messaging platforms, and access control systems. o Conduct routine checks and updates to ensure system integrity and operational readiness. • Help Desk and Technical Support: o Diagnose and resolve Help Desk requests related to hardware, software, and enterprise applications. o Provide remote and on-site troubleshooting assistance to end-users. • Software and Hardware Maintenance: o Perform updates, patches, and preventive maintenance on ICT systems. o Ensure antivirus, endpoint protection, and backup systems are functioning optimally. • Additional Duties: o Carry out any other assignments as directed by the supervisor, including support for emergency ICT deployments and field operations.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”