IT Operations Officer (Telecommunication), CST II, South Sudan
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP uses food assistance to help people recovering from conflict, disasters, and extreme weather. We are committed to a diverse, skilled, and high-performing workforce operating in an inclusive environment, driven by our values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion.
Job Purpose
The IT Operations Officer (Telecommunication) will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing WFP's Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Emergency Telecommunications System and supporting the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in South Sudan. This role involves leading the deployment, installation, and maintenance of critical communication systems, ensuring their operational readiness for emergency response and staff security. The incumbent will provide technical guidance and support to telecommunications teams across various field offices, troubleshoot network issues, and contribute to emergency preparedness and contingency planning. Additionally, the role requires developing and implementing telecommunications strategies, managing projects, and fostering inter-agency coordination to ensure seamless communication services for humanitarian operations. The officer will also lead and develop a small team, ensuring high performance and capacity building within the telecommunications unit.
Responsibilities
The IT Operations Officer (Telecommunication) role is crucial for maintaining and enhancing emergency telecommunications systems, particularly the Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) system, in South Sudan. This position involves leading the deployment, installation, and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity and security communications for WFP operations and other UN agencies. The officer will troubleshoot and resolve issues within the telecom network, provide technical guidance and support to telecommunications personnel across various field offices, and contribute to emergency preparedness and contingency planning. Key responsibilities include developing and testing business continuity and disaster recovery plans, monitoring compliance with WFP and UN standards, and ensuring the preventive maintenance of security communication systems. The role also encompasses managing telecommunications asset inventories, frequency allocations, and licensing records. Furthermore, the officer will lead telecommunications projects from planning to implementation, conduct feasibility assessments, and foster inter-agency coordination and partnerships to align activities and maximize collaboration in security communications. Team leadership, capacity development for staff, and providing technical specifications for procurement are also integral aspects of this position. The officer will prepare management reports on telecommunications performance and infrastructure risks, ensuring effective and reliable communication services are available to support WFP's mission.
Work Experience
The role requires at least five years of progressive postgraduate professional experience in Telecommunication Systems. This includes hands-on experience in installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting telecommunications infrastructure and systems, particularly supporting emergency communications for field operations. Experience with Digital Mobile Radio or similar digital radio technology, diagnosing network faults, developing technical specifications, and providing technical guidance or training to personnel is essential. Experience with inter-agency Security Communication Centers or UN/NGO environments is desirable.
Skills
Telecommunication Systems, Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), Radio Frequency (RF), Very High Frequency (VHF), Network Monitoring, System Integration, Troubleshooting, Capacity Development, Project Management, Inter-Agency Coordination, Emergency Preparedness, Risk Management, Technical Specification Development, Procurement Support, Team Leadership