Mission and objectives

UNISFA was established in July 2011 under authority of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNISFA is mandated to Strengthen the capacity of the Abyei Police Service (APS) by providing support, including the training of personnel, and coordinate with the APS on matters of law and order, Monitor and verify the redeployment of armed forces from the Abyei area in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement, Provide de-mining assistance and technical advice, Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and free movement of humanitarian personnel in coordination with relevant Abyei Area bodies, When requested and in cooperation with the APS, provide security for oil infrastructure in the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA) and later to organize the referendum The Council also authorized UNISFA under Chapter VII to: • Protect UN Personnel, facilities, installations, and equipment. • Ensure the security and freedom of UN and humanitarian personnel and members of the Joint Military Observers Committee and Joint Military Observer Teams established by the 20 June Agreement. • Protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence; and protect the Area from incursions by unauthorized elements and ensure security.

Context

UNISFA was established in July 2011 under authority of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNISFA is mandated to monitor and verify the redeployment of any Sudan or South Sudan forces in the Abyei area, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of relief workers in and around Abyei, to take the necessary actions to protect UN personnel (facilities, installations and equipment), to ensure security and freedom of movement of civilians in the area, and later to organize the referendum

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of Chief Mission Air Operations Officer or his designate, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Provide Flight Information to aircraft pertaining to: • SIGMET and AIRMET information. • Information concerning pre-eruption volcanic activity, volcanic eruptions and volcanic ash clouds. • Information concerning the release into the atmosphere of radioactive materials or toxic chemicals. • Information on changes in the serviceability of navigation aids. • Information on changes in condition of aerodromes and associated facilities, including information on the state of the aerodrome movement areas when they are affected by significant depth of water. • Information on unmanned free balloons. • And of any other information likely to affect safety • Maintaining a continuous watch on all visible operations on and in the vicinity of the aerodrome, including aircraft, vehicles and personnel on the maneuvering area and controlling such traffic in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed in the appropriate regulations and instructions. • Rendering all possible assistance to aircraft in emergency or distress and where necessary alerting the Emergency Response Units in accordance with the Mission’s Aviation Emergency Response Plan. • Provide additional flight information service to flights concerning: • Weather conditions reported or forecast at departure, destination and alternate aerodromes. • Collision hazards, to aircraft operating in airspace Classes C, D, E, F and G. • For flight over water areas, in so far as practicable and when requested by a pilot, any available information such as radio call sign, position, true track, speed, etc., of surface vessels in the area. • Maintaining a continuous watch on the designated aerodrome and ground control frequencies. • Providing, as necessary, information on meteorological and aerodrome conditions and providing navigational assistance • Accepting flight plans and briefing aircrew. • Ensure that minimum distances are maintained between mission aircraft under his/her control • Perform other tasks as assigned by the 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 their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • 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.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: high degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities; ability to take ownership, and work independently under established procedures; • Accountability: ability to operate in compliance with organisational rules and regulations; • Planning, effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner, ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication; proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills; • Flexibility and willingness to live and work in hazardous and remote places, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the Mission area;. • Commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living conditions and remarks

General: This assignment is based in the UNISFA Headquarters – Abyei – Sudan. Currently this duty station is designated as non-family. Due to the terrain, the area is prone to flooding during the rainy season which lasts from late May until Mid-November. The average rainy season temperature is 30°C and temperatures in the dry season average 37°C. Accommodation: Due to the security situation in Abyei, coupled with the fact that there are limited residential accommodation options in the community that meet UN security and safety standards for staff, expatriate UN staff deployed to Abyei are generally provided secured UN accommodation in a camp-style environment. The UN-provided accommodation is equipped with minimum room furniture and is configured as a single room with bath and toilet facilities. Power and water (including purified water) is provided inside the camp by the UN. As per OHRM rules, a reasonable cost recovery for accommodation is made from VLA. Due to the duration of the issuance of the Sudanese visa, UNVs may temporary and/ or permanently be assigned to Gok-Machar which is one of the UNISFA sectors where visas for Sudan are not required. Accommodation and conditions in Gok-Machar are similar to those in Abyei. Food and Diet: There is a UN managed cafeteria inside the UN Camp in Abyei. The standard and quality of food is limited with a repetitious daily menu. Wide varieties of food are not available and may not be to the personal taste of UNVs. Volunteers may wish to cook their own meals in common kitchen facilities situated at convenient locations within the camp. This would require the volunteer to obtain basic cooking items such as saucepans, fry pans, plates, knives, etc. Health: UN Volunteers should be aware that they could be exposed to a number of tropical diseases and should complete all medical formalities specified in the Offer or Travel Advisory before traveling. Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory before coming to the mission area, while vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diptheria, Polio and Meningitis are recommended if confirmed by the volunteer’s physician. UN Volunteers, like other international personnel, are to bring their Vaccination Card to the mission. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Due to large numbers of various types of insects in the mission area, it is also recommended to use insecticide-impregnated nets and insect repellants. UN personnel have access during working hours to a Civilian Clinic (Level 1) inside the UN Camp at Abyei and 24-hour access to a fully operational military hospital (Level 2) within same camp at Abyei. Rest and Recuperation: International personnel in UNISFA, including UN volunteers, are entitled to a 6 -week Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle. This means that after every 6 weeks of being in the mission area, the volunteer is entitled to take a break in either Entebbe (UNISFA designated R & R location) or any other destination outside the mission area. The entitlement is 5 calendar days R&R, 1 day official (Admin) and 2 travel days. The UN flight from Abyei or any other deployed site in the mission area to Entebbe can be used for free (return flight). However, personnel are responsible for their accommodation, meals and any other expenses while on R&R. R & R trips must be approved by the supervisor.