COMPLETE OULINE
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;
PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS
RESPONSIBILITIES
As Senior Communications Assistant you will maintain Global Situational Awareness and support deployed Inspection Teams.
Your work involves providing operational communications support to the Situation Centre (SitCen) and also providing operational communications support to the deployed Inspection Teams.
Other parts of the role include developing communications training programmes designed to meet the needs of Inspection Personnel, Information management including but not limited to document archiving.
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), handheld 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
Education (Qualifications)
The educational qualifications required for this position:
Essential
High School Diploma or equivalent Diploma of higher Secondary Education
Desirable
Additional training and experience in the following fields of technology is desirable:
- Satellite and radio communication
- IT-Networks
- GPS tracking and GIS systems
- Encryption systems
- Additional professional administration training is desirable.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- At least 4 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 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 focused 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 an 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 mov to different posts within the organisation, often at short notice.
