Communication Technical Assistant at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. We work in crises across 31 countries, providing emergencies and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. We stand up for people forced to flee, advocating their rights. NORCAP, our global provider of expertise, helps improve international and local ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from crises. NRC also runs the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva, a global leader in reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communication Technical Assistant

Job Identification: 3126
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Project number: NGFP0000
Job Schedule: Full time
Department: Safety and Security
Reports to: HSS- CMC Team Lead
Job Category: Health, Safety and Security
Technical Supervision: HSS Coordinator/Manager
Travel: 20%  All Areas of NRC Presence
Duration and type of contract:  End of December 2021 (possibility of extension)

Background of the Positon

• 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, analysing 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 medium 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.

Role and Responsibilities

• The purpose of the CMC Assistant role is to assist in the day-to-day running of Health Safety, security, and Centre for Monitoring and Communications (CMC) on shift basis (day and night) by following the requirements set out in the CMC Standard Operating Procedures to enable safe monitoring and tracking of all staff, visitors and consultants.
• Adhere to NRC Employee policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines, uphold humanitarian principles.
• Contribute to the attainment of HSS strategy by ensuring staff are kept informed on a timely manner by issuing/distributing security information on the available mediums and conducting security briefings.
• Assist with the implementation NRC’s HSS Policies and guidelines through contributing in the enforcement of existing Contingency Plans and SOPs.
• Participate in all relevant HSS trainings and capacity building
• Prepare and develop daily situation reports as required share with the supervisor
• Ensure proper filing of HSS documents taking into consideration confidentiality.
• Work closely and liaise with other Core Competencies (CC) and other Support sectors to integrate CMC services to facilitate NRC Program activities.

Specific Responsibilities

• 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.
• Ensure that all staff traveling to field locations are issued with a working and fully charged communication device.
• Track the issuance of all communication devices and ensure that they are safely kept in good working conditions.
• Log in all daily travels/movements in the CMC communication log sheet.
• Support with the installation of communication devices and conduct regular repairs and necessary.
• As assigned by the Supervisor, will conduct regular check on all electronic and monitoring devices and report any faults for further action.
• Work closely on a daily basis with Field Coordinators and Security Focal Persons (SFP) to conduct staff headcounts and submit report to the Supervisor.
• 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.
• Receive all phones calls from NRC staff and professionally respond to their queries and disseminate accurate information as required.
• Draft security alert messages and share with Team Lead for review before disseminating to all staff.
• Draft and share Daily media scan with the Team Lead for further dissemination.
• Monitor open source channels (TV, radio, social media, etc) to collate and flag relevant information and update the CMC Team Leader.
• Disseminate COVID – 19 related alerts as reviewed and verified by the CMC TL.
• Train and retrain staff on the CMC operations and use of communications devices during visits to the field.
• 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.

Critical interfaces:
By interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

• NRC Nigeria Program Core Competencies and Support Functions
• NRC HSS Humanitarian Access Team
• Other external contacts as might be requested by the Supervisor

Competencies
Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following two categories:

Professional competencies:

• These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Professional Knowledge and Experiences

• 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

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

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

Deadline: 17th September, 2021 (12:53 PM)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
• All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.