UNDP, Consultant: Radio Communications Technical Advisor, Deadline April 22, 2010.

CONSULTANT: RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICAL ADVISOR

Location: Dili, Timor - Leste, Timor Leste
Application Deadline: 22-Apr-10
Additional Category Crisis Prevention and Recovery
Type of Contract: SSA
Languages Required: English
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 29-Apr-2010
Duration of Initial Contract: Eight Months
Expected Duration of Assignment: Eight Months

Background

The April/May 2006 upheaval in Timor-Leste resulted in losses in human lives and property. Approximately 30 deaths and 5,000 destroyed or damaged houses were recorded in Dili and the districts, causing the forced displacement of an estimated 150,000 people. There were some further incidents of violence leading to destruction and homelessness during and shortly after the national elections of 2007. The attacks on the President and Prime Minister in 2008 further illustrated the importance of assisting in the stabilisation of the security sector. These incidents resulted from complex social, economic, historical, institutional and political factors. They also adversely affected socio-economic conditions and threatened much of the hard-earned gains achieved since the Restoration of Independence in 2002.

The new Government came to power in August 2007 with the immediate goals of addressing priority issues resulting from the crisis. Now that these have been substantially addressed the Government is intensifying efforts on longer-term challenges, such as strengthening institutions and democratic processes, including in the security sector.
The Security Sector Review project supports the Government in reviewing the security sector to inform its reform and development, crisis management and recovery, as well as to identify relevant technical assistance and capacity development needs. The government has initiated a reform process of the security sector. Within the framework of this initiative, the development and enhancement of the radio communications capability of the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) became one of the priorities of the government.

The incumbent will support the PNTL in developing the capacity for basic repair and maintenance of communications equipment, as well as conduct training and skills development activities focused on the repair, refurbishing and re-programming of donated UN radio equipment. Training will include orientation on maintenance of radio communications equipment including auxiliary and support equipment in selected repeater sites. As some of the participants to the training might be from other agencies/offices within the security sector, the incumbent has to build and develop the network of cooperation and support between and among the officers/technicians from these various security institutions by laying the groundwork for development of a unified communications system with provisions for greater interoperability.

The incumbent will report to the Secretary of State for Security, and to UNDP management through the Project Manager of the Security Sector Review in Timor-Leste Project. The Consultant will work closely with the UNMIT Security Sector Support Unit (SSSU).

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will work in close consultation with relevant partners, including the Government, the UN SSR Team and the UNPOL Technical Office. S/He will be responsible for achieving the following:

• Continue compilation and analysis of relevant laws, rules, regulations, plans and programs relative to the development of the police radio communications capability with consideration to interoperability and its future role and use in the broader emergency and disaster management context.
• In coordination and cooperation with the relevant officials in the PNTL, and with the UNPOL/UNMIT Technical Advisors, review existing records of communications equipment inventory to form basis for the design and development of a suitable medium term communications equipment development plan for the PNTL.
• Conduct radio-electronics technology training and skills development for 25 qualified individuals nominated by their respective agencies/units in communications equipment repair, maintenance, installation and management of radio systems and other electronic equipment.
• Supervise the students in undertaking the repair and refurbishing of at least an additional 50 out of the 370 UN-donated radio items and maintenance/servicing of 290 existing PNTL Radios.
• Supervise the field orientation training on the installation and maintenance of radio communications equipment in at least 5 selected repeater sites, and servicing of the remaining repeater sites in eight districts.
• Submit Final Report on the result of radio-electronics technology training and skills development and a proposed design for the development of a suitable medium-term communications equipment development plan for the PNTL.

Expected Output:

A detailed report on the assignment which comprises of the following:

• Overview of relevant laws, rules, regulations, plans and programs affecting the development of the police radio communications capability including interoperability and its future role and use in the broader emergency and disaster management context.
• Assessment of the strengths, weaknesses and gaps of the current PNTL communications structure, capacity and equipage as a benchmark to monitor progress and results.
• National inventory of communications equipment.
• Narrative account of the radio-electronics technology training and skills development activities with particular focus on improvements in communications equipment repair, maintenance, installation and management of radio systems and other electronic equipment.
• Overview of the repair and refurbishing of old radio equipment in the PNTL inventory, including those donated by the UN.
• Detailed assessment of the ability of the technicians to install and maintain radio communications equipment in selected repeater sites.
• A proposed design for the development of a suitable medium-term communications equipment development plan for the PNTL.
• Final list of graduates who passed the repair and maintenance course.
• Analyses of evaluation questionnaires to be filled by trainees before and after each training.

The report will be presented to the Minister of Defense and Security (MoDS), to the Secretary of State for Security and the members of the UN Security Sector Review Project Management Board. Dissemination should be approved by the MoDS.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Knowledge and Learning Management

• Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team.
• Encourages UN staff to share knowledge.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Coordination Effectiveness

• Ability to lead the design and implementation of UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for UNDAF implementation.
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
• Schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course.
• In providing advice to government counterparts has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluates information accurately and identifies key issues required to resolve problems.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
• Manages conflict and stress, remaining composed and working as a mediator in crisis or antagonistic situations.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in electronics or communications engineering, or comparable academic/technical preparation
• At least 10 years of relevant experience providing technical training (in installation, repair and maintenance of radio communications equipment, repeaters, computers, servers and networks)
• Previous experience on advice to communications and technical personnel of police organizations and other similar institutions in the security sector
• Experience in mentoring, providing advice, estimates and analyses on programmes and projects relating to telecommunications and information systems in developing police organizations in an international environment (including the UN)
• Experience in managing institutional reform/change processes in a highly technical field, including preparation of plans and programmes for the repair and maintenance of telecommunications equipment
• Experience in formulation of policies and procedures, rules and regulations inherent to telecommunications and information systems management
• International experience as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent English language communication skills, interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Demonstrated skill in drafting strategies and reports

Desirable

• Ability to work effectively in physically stressful conditions, particularly in isolated areas in the field
• Knowledge in database design and networking
• A sound knowledge of and demonstrated experience in security sector reform
• Experience in Timor-Leste and knowledge of the current political context
• A working knowledge of Tetum, Portuguese or Indonesian
• Familiarity with UNDP procedures and UN Missions