Communication Technical Assistant at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Job Description

Department:                                   Safety and Security 
Position:                                          Centre for monitoring and communication (CMC) Technical Assistant

Reports to:                                     HSS- CMC Team Lead

Supervision of:                               Nil

Technical Supervision:                  HSS Coordinator/Manager

Duty station:                                  Maiduguri, Borno State

Travel:                                             20%  All Areas of NRC Presence

Project number:                            NGFP0000

Duration and type of contract:   End of December 2021 (possibility of extension)

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity, and accountability. These attitudes and beliefs shall guide our actions and relationships. 

Background of the Position

NRC Centre for Monitoring and communication (CMC) is an integral unit of the Health, Safety and Security (HSS) department based in Maiduguri, Borno State and tasked with the responsibility for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information, tracking of staff and vehicles, emergency response and handling communication gadgets. The CMC room works 24/7 and is manned by the CMC staff both day and night.

The HSS-CMC Technical Assistant will have technical skills and experience in monitoring, tracking, and communicating using various mediums of communication such as (VHF radio, GPS tracker, Satellite phones). He/she will be able to work with internet-based tracking platforms and GIS systems used by NRC. Additionally, the assistant will be able to make or undertake minor installations, maintenance and repairs of communication equipment (e.g installation of antennae on the roof top) and related electronic installations. This will require using various tools, working above shoulder height, climbing atop building using ladder and at times carry/lifting heavy gadgets.

The HSS Technical Assistant will be based in Maiduguri Borno State with travels (air or road) to locations with NRC presence in Borno, Adamawa and Plateau State, to address security communication issues, trouble shooting of communication equipment, training and retraining of Staff on communication and tracking.

The HSS- CMC Technical assistant will report directly to the HSS-CMC Team Lead and will receive support and capacity building from the HSS Coordinator or Country HSS Manager.

Job Responsibilities

1. Monitor and track all NRC staff travels and movements in Borno, Adamawa, Plateau State, including travels across mission filed office in the North East, and other parts of Nigeria.
2. Ensure that all staff traveling to field locations are issued with a working and fully charged communication device.
3. Track the issuance of all communication devices and ensure that they are safely kept in good working conditions.
4. Log in all daily travels/movements in the CMC communication log sheet.
5. Support with the installation of communication devices and conduct regular repairs and necessary.
6. As assigned by the Supervisor, will conduct regular check on all electronic and monitoring devices and report any faults for further action.
7. Work closely on a daily basis with Field Coordinators and Security Focal Persons (SFP) to conduct staff headcounts and submit report to the Supervisor.
8. Coordinate with NRC Logistics to ensure that vehicles are assigned on a timely manner to facilitate airport pick-ups and drops off. This also includes coordinating vehicles dispatch assigned to expat staff in the evening and over the weekends.
9. Receive all phones calls from NRC staff and professionally respond to their queries and disseminate accurate information as required. 
10. Draft security alert messages and share with Team Lead for review before disseminating to all staff.
11. Draft and share Daily media scan with the Team Lead for further dissemination.
12. Monitor open source channels (TV, radio, social media, etc) to collate and flag relevant information and update the CMC Team Leader.
13. Disseminate COVID – 19 related alerts as reviewed and verified by the CMC TL.
14. Train and retrain staff on the CMC operations and use of communications devices during visits to the field.
15. Support the HSS Team in managing emergency incidents through communicating with various sources and taking up additional responsibilities as might be assigned by the CMC TL.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to fluently communicate in English (spoken & written). Understanding and speaking of local language in Borno is mandatory.

• Basic and advance computer skills is mandatory (MS Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook).
• Technical skills in installations, maintenance of security equipment such radios, CCTVs, alarms and other installations. Previous working skills of communication equipment (VHF Radio, Satellite Phones, GPS tracker) is added advantage.
• A University Degree, HND and/or Diploma in the field of Electrical or computer Engineering, Mass communication, or telecommunications. Qualifications in Social Studies, Administration, Security Management, Humanitarian/Refugee Affairs, and Disaster Risk Management, with technical capability will be considered.
• 0 to 2 years of working experience within a similar function or as a radio/operations rooms operator in with INGOs, the UN, or government or private sector.
• Basic web based mapping knowledge or GIS is desired.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the conflict and geographical context in North East Nigeria.
• Knowledge of Hausa and Kanuri, Fulani or other local languages in Borno State is mandatory.
• Experience with start-up communications room
• Ability to remain calm and composed when faced which highly demanding situations which require quick actions
• The ability to travel regularly to the field (by road or air) independently or on short notice.
• Flexibility to work outside standard working hours including at night and during the weekends.
• Report writing skills and ability to make analysis of incidents and proactively source for information

2. Behavioral competencies (max 6)

These are personal qualities that influence how successful people are in their job. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies, and the following are essential for this position:

• Handling insecure environment
• Planning and delivering results
• Empowering and building trust
• Communicating with impact and respect

1. Performance Management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the NRC Performance Management Manual. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

•            The Job Description

•            The Work and Development Plan

•            The Mid-term/End-of-trial Period Performance Review Template

•            The End-term Performance Review Template

•            The NRC Competency Framework

*Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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