Associate Civil Affairs Officer

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response Elections & Governance

Overview

Provide representation of the Mission at the local level and ensure accurate information dissemination.

You have:

• A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in one of the five specific sector of responsibility.
• Proven expertise in strategic planning, including development and implementation of organizational strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing programs and projects.
• Strong ability to identify and implement value-added processes that improve operational efficiency.
• Experience in initiating and managing income-generating activities.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

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/).

Roles and responsibilities of Civil Affairs Officers depend on the mandate and situation on the ground, and tend to evolve over time during the mission life-cycle. Under the direct supervision of Chief Civil Affairs and his designated official in the Sector and/or Officer in Charge Civil Affairs (CA) and within delegated authority, the Associate Civil Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide representation of the Mission at the local level and ensures that all relevant governmental and non-governmental actors have accurate information about the mandate and full-range of operations of the Mission.
• Establish and maintain contact with representatives of local authorities, as well as civil society actors, non-governmental organizations, community representatives and representatives of local interest groups.
• Coordinate activities and initiative (across disciplines and components) with other team members to achieve consistency and synergy in mandate implementation.
• Undertake assessment of specific sectors with a view to identifying needs and priorities.
• Contribute to overall mission monitoring and planning.
• Assist in the organization of outreach activities to promote good relations and understanding between Mission’s actors and the population as well as to ensure accurate information dissemination on Mission’s role and mandate.
• Contribute to the design and management of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to foster confidence in the peace process and demonstrate peace dividends among the population.

Work closely with civil society groups or institutions that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation by organizing joint initiatives such as community events.

Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Communication, Empowering Others, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Vision, Working in Teams.

A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in one of the five specific sector of responsibility or related areas such as Conflict Management, Reconciliation and Confidence Building; Support to State Institutions; Reporting and analysis, working with community groups, civil society, public administration, NGOs and/or international relief or peacekeeping operations.

• Proven expertise in strategic planning, including the development and implementation of organizational strategies aligned with institutional goals.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing programs and projects, from conceptualization to execution and evaluation.
• Strong ability to identify and implement value-added processes that improve operational efficiency and enhance organizational impact.
• Experience in initiating and managing income-generating activities, preferably within the development or humanitarian sectors.

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) must be strictly adhered to in all duty stations. The country's security level ranges from 3 to 5, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently, a curfew is in effect from 10 pm to 6 am.

The country is landlocked, with limited travel possibilities, and is surrounded by countries facing volatile security issues (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). The socio-political situation is unstable, particularly in the capital city Bangui, where frequent civil servant strikes disrupt public services due to unpaid salaries. Power outages are frequent, creating insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including expatriates, is concerned about rising crime as a direct result of the March 2013 SELEKA coup and the events of December 2013. The country is entirely dependent on Cameroon’s seaport, located 1,500 km away, causing regular shortages of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala to Bangui averages one week due to poor roads and roadblocks along the way.

This situation places significant stress on personnel. There are limited medical infrastructures, and services are not functioning properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and scarcity of basic products. Supermarkets offering a variety of food and appliances are available but are expensive. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available at the market.

There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation options are limited, and securing a house that complies with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. Compared to a few years ago, more accommodation is now available but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently, all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost of accommodation ranges from around 500 USD for a small apartment with no furniture, no power generator, and no running water, to 2,000 USD with all amenities.

A UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel, and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II hospital run by a military medical team also exists. Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN system serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three times a week), and Asky (three times a week). Flights may sometimes be canceled due to the volatility of the security situation.

The town of Berberati, located 500 km from Bangui in the southwest of the Central African Republic, has a relatively stable security situation, although escorts may be required for certain movements depending on the local security context. MINUSCA has set up air-conditioned tented camps for civilian staff, ensuring acceptable working and living conditions in a hot and humid climate. Prefabricated housing, compliant with UN security standards, is also available. Personnel can obtain supplies from local markets, which are generally well-stocked with basic food products.

A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a six-week frequency.

The Central African Republic is a unique country, and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides an interesting and enriching environment but also requires a high level of cultural and security awareness, as well as greater stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unv.org