Information Systems Assistant (Network Support)

Mission and objectives

MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). SCR 2277 (2016) requests MONUSCO to support efforts of the Government of DRC towards the protection of civilians, through a comprehensive approach involving all components of MONUSCO, including through reduction of the threat posed by Congolese and foreign armed groups and of violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children to a level that can be effectively managed by the Congolese justice and security institutions; and to support Stabilization through the establishment of functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including security and judicial institutions. The project aims at a better understanding of the most serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law in DRC and supports the leadership of the Mission through informed policy and decision making on future vetting of security forces through risk assessment and mitigation, joint planning for MONUSCO operations, as well as advocacy efforts.

Context

MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Chief ICT Operations or designated authority, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following duties: Network Operations and Support

• Provide technical expertise and maintenance of WAN and LAN network infrastructure.
• Implement approved network security policies.
• Provide high-level expertise on routing and switching, VPN, QoS, SD-WAN integration of the Mission’s WAN with external providers and other network-related policies.
• Support the installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization of Wireless LAN infrastructure across the Mission.
• Support and manage the Mission’s Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) platform.
• Work closely with the ICT security teams to provide high-level network guidance and support for prevention and mitigation of threats and abuses on the Mission’s network.
• Identify and mitigate network vulnerabilities, with previous experience with United Nations Core ICT systems. Network Engineering and Technical Assessments
• Conduct technical site surveys and network feasibility assessments.
• Assess LAN/WAN capacity, utilization, performance, and connectivity requirements for remote sites.
• Prepare technical assessments, network diagrams, reports, and recommendations.
• Review network designs, engineering drawings, configurations, and technical specifications.
• Recommend solutions for improving network performance, reliability, resilience, and security.
• Support network architecture, segmentation, and connectivity planning.
• Participate in acceptance testing of newly installed network infrastructure.
• Evaluate contractor- and vendor-delivered network installations and services. Project Implementation Support
• Participate in planning and implementation of mission network infrastructure projects.
• Assist in preparation of technical specifications for network equipment and services.
• Provide technical input to Statements of Work and Bills of Quantities.
• Monitor project implementation schedules, milestones, and technical deliverables.
• Coordinate network deployment activities at project sites.
• Conduct installation acceptance and quality assurance inspections.
• Verify contractor compliance with approved technical requirements and standards.
• Support project closure, documentation, and handover activities. Network Monitoring and Performance Management
• Consolidate and analyze network traffic statistics using mission monitoring systems.
• Assess site capacity requirements, utilization, performance metrics, and trends.
• Use network monitoring tools to identify degradation, bottlenecks, and service risks.
• Support optimization of WAN connectivity and network performance.
• Maintain network performance baselines and operational metrics.
• Provide technical recommendations based on network monitoring and performance analysis. Asset Management
• Maintain accurate inventory records for network equipment and infrastructure.
• Verify asset registration, deployment, configuration, and accountability.
• Conduct periodic asset inspections and reconciliations.
• Monitor lifecycle requirements for network equipment and supporting infrastructure.
• Support replacement and upgrade planning for aging network infrastructure. Reporting and Documentation
• Maintain technical documentation relating to LAN/WAN, network security, wireless, and unified communications infrastructure.
• Prepare maintenance reports, service records, and network performance reports.
• Document faults, outages, corrective actions, changes, and lessons learned.
• Maintain current network diagrams, configurations, and technical databases.
• Prepare infrastructure assessment reports and technical recommendations.
• Maintain site inspection and network change documentation. Expected Results
• High availability and reliability of mission network infrastructure.
• Reliable LAN/WAN connectivity supporting mission operations.
• Timely completion of preventive and corrective network maintenance activities.
• Effective identification and resolution of network faults and service interruptions.
• Improved network performance, capacity utilization, and connectivity.
• Effective implementation of network modernization and infrastructure projects.
• Compliance with approved network security policies and technical standards.
• Reduced network outages, service degradation, and downtime.
• Accurate technical documentation, network diagrams, and infrastructure records.
• Effective management of network assets and supporting infrastructure.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and 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 priorities 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, remote 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; and
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living conditions and remarks

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in Kinshasa. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Goma), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa and Entebbe which are family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including Kinshasa, Goma and all the other towns. Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili. The DRC is a unique country, and MONUSCO is a unique peace operation. It offers an interesting and enriching environment, while also requiring a high level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment. Flexibility, and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions – sometimes involving physical hardship and limited comfort – are therefore essential.