Multi-skilled Conference Audiovisual Technician

UNESCO is seeking experienced audiovisual technicians on a consultant basis to provide technical preparation, operation, and close-out services for conferences, meetings, and events at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The role involves working with audiovisual equipment for in-person, hybrid, and online events, ensuring quality audio and video signals, and providing technical assistance to participants.

Responsibilities

• Review the technical specifications, session schedule and requirements communicated by the organizer.
• Liaise with the technical coordinator and other stakeholders to clarify requirements and identify any constraints or incompatibilities.
• Prepare, install, configure and test audiovisual equipment, including microphones, conference systems, sound reinforcement systems, audio consoles, interpretation systems, projectors, screens, presentation computers, cameras, video capture equipment and recording systems.
• Check audio and video signal chains, required network connections and, where applicable, the routing, synchronization and stability of digital audio networks.
• Configure and test the videoconferencing or webinar platforms used for hybrid and online meetings.
• Conduct technical tests with speakers, interpreters and remote participants, as required.
• Provide technical operation for in-person, hybrid and online conferences, meetings and events.
• Continuously monitor the quality and stability of audio and video signals in the room, remotely and in recordings.
• Adjust audio levels and operate the relevant equipment to maintain a quality appropriate for listening, recording and, where applicable, simultaneous interpretation.
• Manage the display and playback of presentations, videos and other audiovisual content.
• Operate cameras, select appropriate shots and use programmed camera presets when required by the configuration.
• Provide technical assistance to speakers, interpreters and participants experiencing difficulties with the equipment or remote participation tools.
• Diagnose technical incidents, implement initial corrective measures and promptly alert the responsible team when additional intervention is required.
• Follow the operational instructions, safety rules and procedures applicable to the spaces and equipment being used.
• Shut down systems in accordance with the applicable procedures.
• Store the equipment and leave the room and control area in an orderly and operational condition.
• Report incidents, malfunctions, maintenance requirements and any information relevant to service continuity.
• When requested, contribute to a brief debriefing or hand over relevant instructions to the following team.

Requirements

• Vocational training or a technical qualification in audiovisual technology, sound, video, electronics, information technology, networking or a related field.
• In the absence of a specialized qualification, equivalent professional experience demonstrating mastery of the expected competencies may be considered.
• Training or certification in digital audio networking, conference systems, simultaneous interpretation, videoconferencing or professional audiovisual equipment would be an asset.
• Practical experience in the technical preparation and operation of conferences, meetings, ceremonies or other events.
• Experience using professional audiovisual equipment for in-person, hybrid or online events.
• Experience in several technical areas, including sound, video, projection, videoconferencing, video capture, recording or conference systems.
• Experience with multilingual conferences, simultaneous interpretation systems or in an institutional or international environment would be an asset.
• Good knowledge of professional audio and video signal chains.
• Ability to install, configure, test and operate a range of audiovisual equipment, including microphones, conference systems, audio consoles, interpretation systems, projectors, screens, presentation computers, cameras and recording systems.
• Ability to use videoconferencing and webinar platforms and provide support to remote participants.
• Good command of the Windows environment and the ability to configure the workstations, software and peripherals required for a session.
• Ability to assess and maintain the quality of audio and video signals, including in the context of simultaneous interpretation.
• Knowledge of digital audio networks and their operation. Dante certification or an equivalent qualification would be an asset.
• Knowledge of professional conference systems, digital audio consoles, robotic cameras and platforms such as Zoom Meeting or Zoom Webinar would be an asset.
• Ability to diagnose technical incidents quickly and implement an appropriate solution or contingency procedure.
• Versatility and the ability to become familiar quickly with new equipment, software and technical configurations.
• Service orientation, thoroughness, punctuality, autonomy and the ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate with organizers, speakers, interpreters and other technical teams.

Skills

• Audio Visual Technology
• Sound Engineering
• Video Technology
• Electronics
• Information Technology
• Networking
• Digital Audio Networks
• Conference Systems Operation
• Simultaneous Interpretation Systems
• Video-Conferencing
• Professional Audiovisual Equipment
• Technical Session Preparation
• Audio Signal Chain
• Video Signal Chain
• Audiovisual Equipment Installation
• Audiovisual Equipment Configuration
• Digital Audio Consoles
• Interpretation Systems
• Projectors
• Presentation Computers
• Cameras
• Recording Systems
• Conferencing Platforms
• Webinar Platforms
• Windows Environment
• Technical Incident Analysis
• Dante Certification
• Zoom Meeting Hosting
• Zoom Webinars
• Event Operations