Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014.
(http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/).
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Conduct and Discipline Team and the direct responsibility of Prevention pillar, the UN Volunteer Associate Conduct and Discipline Officer (Prevention), will perform the following tasks:
• Contributes to the design, development, delivery and evaluation of training, learning and development programmes for military and police personnel.
• Periodically monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of training and learning and develops appropriate reports.
• With guidance from the Training pillar, ensure that mandatory e-learning and training courses, including SEA Prevention certification courses in Inspira and other learning platforms are rolled out across the mission, with a focus on military personnel to achieve CDT’s training and internal sensitization goals.
• Participate in the assessment of training needs as a prevention tool.
• Serve as focal point for liaison with the Force U7 training Unit, the Police Training and Capacity Development Unit in the strong coordination of trainings to all uniformed personnel, as well reporting on training.
• Contribute to maintaining and monitoring a training data management system for all categories of personnel.
• Strengthen the Mission’s SEA risk management framework by coordinating the identification of risks to SEA and other misconduct, analyzing and evaluating risks and ensuring appropriate risk treatment options are designed.
• Assist with the data mining and reporting of the risk management activities.
• Contributes to the development and maintaining of CDT risk register
• Engage in day-to-day coordination of activities with other mission components (e.g. uniformed components, security, training, child protection and Human Rights);
• Identify trends/patterns, lessons learned, and best practice relating to conduct and discipline issues with a view to furthering the mission’s objectives in policy development, preventive actions and awareness building initiatives.
• Monitor Trust fund and CDT programmatic funds projects implementation in CAR
• Assume all other related duties as requested by the direct supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen his/her knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that he/she is undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting
them in submitting stories and experiences to the Volunteer Action Counts Website.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis.
• Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans.
Results/expected outputs
• As an active MINUSCA CDT team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to MINUSCA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• Professionalism: demonstrate understanding of operations relevant to MINUSCA CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant disciplinary procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards MINUSCA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
• At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in in positions in the field of conduct and discipline, law, human rights, human resources management, training and/or enterprise risk management. Experience with database management and reporting are desirable. Experience with the application of UN rules and regulations related to conduct and discipline is desirable, as well as experience in UN peacekeeping missions.
• Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in MINUSCA CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE TEAM volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DR Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in particular in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried the country into a chaos.
The country is totally dependent on Cameroon sea port situated 1500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 3 and 4 restricting movement to official travel only.
Currently the curfew applies from 10pm to 5 am.
This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN hospital built is operational since August 2014.
Only four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France (once a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.
Staff in Bangui (MHQ) lives on local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to 2014 more accommodation is available but with high costs therefore sharing is recommended. Supermarkets having all variety of food and appliances are available but costlier than normal process. Also, Level II Hospital run by military medical team is available next to the MHQ.
Bouar (Sector West HQ) is located in western CAR, approximately 500 Km from Bangui (capital city) where living conditions are quite acceptable. The local market is opened every day and well furnished with seasonal fruit and basic goods. Military Level I clinic exists but the mission has plan to provide better facility. MINUSCA has constructed tented camp for civilian personnel with air-conditioned and acceptable standards and prefabricated accommodation camps started in May 2016. Similarly, installation of office prefabricated units also ongoing. There is catering services provided by a commercial entity on payment basis. The security situation is stable, but an escort is needed for some distance.
Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme in Bangui has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations to a 6 week frequency. Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house according to the security measures can take about 4 weeks or more. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities.
For the sake of rewarding experience, UN Volunteers in CAR carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.
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