COMPLETE OUTLINE
PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS
Reporting to the Communications Officer and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Senior Communications Assistant performs
the following duties;
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer (F0248) the post holder will:
Maintain Global Situational Awareness and support deployed Inspection Teams
- Act as Single point of contact and support for all Inspection Teams deployed on a 24/7 basis
- Track Inspection Teams deployed worldwide and monitor security situation in the area of deployment.
- Monitor various sources and news feeds.
- Update common operational awareness overview
- Gather Information using predefined techniques and tools as tasked on a case by case basis
- Report relevant incidents to Supervisor and preparing of brief summaries
Provides operational communications support to the Situation Centre (SitCen)
- Transmit and receive messages via Satcom., Tel & fax and Internet E-mail. Maintain SitCen records and operational logs.
- Under the direction of Communications Officer, support drafting Standard Operating Procedures for HQ communications operations, and for field deployment of the OPCW communications systems.
- Covering as necessary for the Duty Officer during absence from the Situation Centre.
- Provide IT/IS support to the Situation Centre
- Programme secure communications equipment and perform crypto custodian management, assuring the integrity of the OPCW voice and data encryption equipment.
- Advise the Equipment Store on technical issues related to field communications.
- Immediately address and take corrective action on all communication equipment technical failures.
- Maintain and adhere to the Situation Centre established shift hand over procedures.
- Issue and receive materials and equipment required for mission activities
- Assist outgoing teams in the use of all OPCW communications equipment.
Provides operational communications support to the deployed Inspection Teams
- Commission satellite communications terminals (Inmarsat), hand held satellite devices (Iridium and Thuraya) and VHF/UHF radio networks for field deployment.
- Configure satellite transceivers for use with encrypted voice and data.
- Provide troubleshooting and telephone help desk support to Inspection Teams in the field.
- Participate in field missions that require technically proficient communications expertise
- Provide Level 1 support for OPCW communications equipment, encryption systems and Inspection Laptops.
- Prepare and handover confidential mission equipment for Inspections
Develop communications training programmes designed to meet the needs of Inspection Personnel
- Develop training objectives and course outlines for initial and refresher telecommunications training for inspection personnel in support of the OPCW's General Training Scheme.
- Develop course materials for use by the CBCP Cell.
- Present class lectures and lead practical demonstrations.
- Provide tutoring on an individual basis.
- Provide hands-on communication training for departing inspection teams.
Document archiving (Information Management):
- Electronically archive communications with State Parties and deployed Inspection teams.
- Decide on the format of indexing these documents.
- Archive paper copies of communications with State Parties and deployed Inspection teams.
- Ensure Mission Status and handover documents are always updated with most recent information.
Operational Information (OP-Info)
- Receive and disseminate OP-Info to the relevant recipients in the TS
- Participate in keeping up-to-date electronic and paper database on operational contact information.
- Participate in keeping the OP-Info contact information, the email system and fax server up-to-date
Any other duties as deemed necessary for the post
RECRUITING PROFILE
Education (Qualifications):
- Essential: High School Diploma or equivalent Diploma of higher Secondary Education
Desirable:
- Additional training and experience in the following fields of technology desirable:
- Satellite and radio communication
- IT-Networks
- GPS tracking and GIS systems
- Encryption systems
- Additional professional administration training desirable.
Experience:
Essential:
- At least four years of professional experience in operational context;
- Experience in support of customers and field teams remotely
- Experience working in confidential environments.
Desirable:
- Experience in using computerised administration systems.
- Experience in field deployments and working in hostile environments
Skills and Abilities (Key competencies)
- Solid computer skills, including ability to produce reports and background material;
- Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively;
- Good organisational skills, proactive mentality, with a strong sense of urgency
- Ability to work in a focussed and precise manner;
- Proven interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations at all levels with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
- Open minded and willing to take on additional duties in a spirit of continuous learning and development;
- Service/client oriented with a high sense of discretion, maturity and tact to deal with highly sensitive matters;
- Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and follow up on the work of the Branch;
Other Skills:
- Tact, discretion and accuracy;
- Effective organisational skills and ability to handle a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner;
- Initiative and willingness to learn new skills.
Flexibility to be able and willing to move to different posts within the organisation, often at short notice.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.
