VA ID: 2187 Grade Level: P-3 Division: International Monitoring System Division Section: Engineering and Development Section Unit: Type of Appointment: Fixed Term Appointment Date of Issuance: 20 December 2024 Deadline for Applications: 03 February 2025 Vacancy Reference: VA196-2187-2024 Reporting Date: As soon as possible
Please note that all candidates should adhere to CTBTO Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity.
Qualified female applicants and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
A roster of suitable candidates may be established for similar positions at the same level as a result of this selection process for a period of two (2) years.
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Organizational Background
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria is the international organization setting up the global verification system foreseen under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is the treaty banning any nuclear-weapon-test explosion or any other nuclear explosion. The Treaty provides for a global verification regime, including a network of 337 stations worldwide, a communications system, an international data centre and on-site inspections to monitor compliance.
Organizational Setting
This position is located in the International Monitoring Systems (IMS) Division that applies engineering and science to develop, instantiate, and to operate measurement stations around the world as well as to receive, process and disseminate the data collected by these stations as well as related analysis products.
Reporting Lines
Under the supervision of the Head, Seismic and Infrasound Unit, to:
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide engineering, scientific and project management expertise to support the installation, testing, maintenance and development of the seismoacoustic monitoring component of the International Monitoring System (IMS), with particular emphasis on infrasound, including planning, development and implementation of projects aiming at solving engineering- related problems;
- Design, develop, review, update, evaluate and implement field solutions for the installation, repair, upgrade and system integration of IMS seismoacoustic stations, with particular emphasis on infrasound, including evaluation of station performance, definition of procedures, data quality checks, data monitoring and data analysis;
- Conduct testing and troubleshooting of existing station equipment and components, in liaison with station operators, equipment providers, IMS and International Data Centre stakeholders, in order to solve existing problems affecting infrasound and, whenever requested, seismic IMS facilities. Prepare technical assessments, including certification and revalidation reports;
- Prepare terms of reference and technical reviews of proposals for the development of new infrasound and, whenever requested, seismic technologies. Prepare terms of reference for hardware and software development and testing, and provide advice on the procurement needs;
- Provide technical expertise in the areas of seismoacoustic instrumentation, data acquisition systems, wind noise reducing systems, communications technology, computer networking applications, power supply, lightning protection, security technologies and integration of systems;
- Contribute to the quality assurance projects of the Section for infrasound and seismic technologies. Participate to in scientific, engineering and technical meetings to further develop and assess the performance of infrasound and seismic sensors, digitizers and other type of equipment of the IMS facilities;
- Support IMS training activities, including technical training programmes and specific equipment training through the preparation and presentation of technical material;
- In a timely manner maintain the updated any information on configuration changes and equipment upgrades for infrasound and seismic stations using the relevant PTS platforms;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education
University degree in engineering, applied physics, or a related field.
Work Experience and Qualifications
- At least five (5) years of relevant working experience in infrasound technology, geophysical instrumentation, power systems, communications systems, field work, testing and integration of complex systems, computer network principles, instrumental responses, data exchange formats and protocols, preferably part of which should have been in an international environment. Proven experience in both, infrasound and seismic technologies is an asset;
- Relevant working experience in UNIX/Linux-based computer systems, data analysis and data processing tools, relational databases, TCP/IP networking concepts is required; knowledge of MATLAB is required; knowledge of Python and SQL is an asset;
- Relevant working experience in project management is essential;
- Knowledge of data acquisition systems and sensors in use in the IMS Network is essential;
- Knowledge of seismic, infrasound and communication equipment and installation is essential;
- Strong analytical skills and experience in producing technical reports and papers is essential;
- Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver projects within assigned deadlines is essential;
- Strong ability to work in teams and to communicate effectively in multicultural environment is essential;
- Ability to prioritize and manage a high-volume workload in a highly dynamic work environment is desirable.
Languages
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential. Knowledge of other official CTBTO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.
Competencies
- Professionalism - Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations;
- Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from other and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
- Planning and organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
- Team work - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;
- Accountability - Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable;
- Creativity - Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches;
- Client orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress and setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients;
- Commitment to continuous learning - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve;
- Technological Awareness - Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology.
Remuneration
CTBTO offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, see link: UN - Salary Scale. The salary offered may be subject to deductions to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and/or Health Insurance Scheme.
Additional Information
- All applications must be submitted through the CTBTO e-Recruitment system before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
- Incomplete applications and submission of employment history in formats other than the CTBTO Employment Information Form will not be considered.
- The CTBTO Preparatory Commission retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy; to make an appointment at a lower grade in particular if the candidate has less than the qualifications required; to make an appointment with a modified job description, or to offer a contract term for a shorter duration than indicated in the vacancy announcement.
- Please note that the CTBTO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.
- The CTBTO reserves the right to undertake correspondence only with shortlisted candidates.
- Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process.