This role provides hands-on experience managing enterprise-grade ICT infrastructure, network equipment, servers, UPS systems, and monitoring tools in a high-profile, newly built national conference center hosting international events.
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.
Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.
The Ministry of Agriculture Conference Center is a state-of-the-art national venue designed to host high-level conferences, multi-stakeholder dialogues, training programs, and international events. Modern audiovisual systems, including projection, sound reinforcement, hybrid meeting capabilities, interpretation booths, and a central control room, are essential to delivering a seamless and professional client experience. The ICT Assistant will report to the ICT Associate (Audiovisual & Data Center Lead). The ICT Assistant will support technical audiovisual operations before, during, and after events, to help ensure that all technology systems are fully functional, well-maintained, and capable of meeting expectations of diverse national and international clients.
Role Purpose
The Position will support operation, monitoring, maintenance, and security of the data center, ensuring uninterrupted ICT service delivery across the conference center. This includes hardware support, network availability, backup routines, incident logging, and ensuring power and cooling systems are functioning effectively.
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. Data Center Operation
Assist in monitoring server room equipment, including servers, switches, routers, firewalls, storage devices, UPS units, and backup systems, and report any irregularities to the ICT Associate.
Check and record basic environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, airflow) and immediately alert the ICT Associate if readings fall outside acceptable ranges.
Perform simple routine inspections of rack equipment, patch panels, cable organization, and power distribution units, ensuring everything is secure, tidy, and functioning as expected
2. Network troubleshooting
Assist in basic network troubleshooting (LAN/Wi-Fi issues, IP configuration, cable faults).
Support configuration of end-user devices under guidance (printers, PCs, tablets, access points).
Monitor network connectivity across meeting rooms and public areas, ensuring stable service for international conferences.
Support maintenance of VoIP, IPTV, access control, and CCTV systems connected to the data center network.
3. Hardware Care and Preventive Maintenance Support
Assist in running daily, weekly, and monthly data backup routines.
Verify backup logs and report irregularities to the ICT Associate
Support implementation of ICT security practices such as patching, antivirus updates, and user access management.
Conduct routine checks on server hardware, network devices, cables, and patch panels.
Assist in ensuring UPS batteries are functioning and support periodic testing.
ICT Support to Conferences
Provide support to staff and clients on connectivity issues, login challenges, and basic ICT functionality.
Ensure reliable Wi-Fi coverage in conference halls, breakout rooms, and VIP areas.
Coordinate with Events and Facility teams to ensure ICT readiness before major events.
Skills
Computer Networking, NetBackup, Troubleshooting, Data Center Controls, Server hardware
Competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Job Requirements
Required
Desired
Experience Requirements
Required
Minimum 4 years or less depending on academic credentials with relevant experience supporting ICT or data center operations in a conference center, hotel, government institution, university, or ICT-intensive environment.
At least1 year experience with server room operations, network equipment, cable management, or hardware diagnostics.
Desired
Experience working in a large, high-profile meetings, conference center, especially those hosting international conferences, is desirable.
Language Requirements
LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredAmharicFluentRequired
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
For more details about the contract types, please click here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
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