Board of Inquiry Officer

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.

Assignment is with family (KINSHASA) with possible extension until 30 June 2024

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Board of Inquiry Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Liaise with relevant offices in the Civilian, Police and Military components for Investigation Reports and pertinent documentation;


Establish a rapport with related counterparts/clients (i.e. Force Provost Marshal, Chief Military Personnel Officer, Chief Force Police Unit, Office of the Force Commander, Military Legal Adviser, Chief Conduct and Discipline, Chief Security Adviser, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Military Personnel Officer);


Prior to convening Board of Inquiry, review the Investigation Report and/or all relevant documentation to the case to identify the grey areas, missing information, gaps, discrepancies and contradictions which require to be addressed; identify parties forming the subject matter of the action and/or witnesses to be interviewed for clarification purposes;


Confirm the availability of nominated Board members from the Roster, avoiding conflict of interest;


Draft BOI Convening Order and ‘case-specific’ Terms of Reference for review/approval of the Unit/Section Chief, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Convening Authority, and the Head of Mission;


Ensure that Board members receive Legal and Administrative Briefing; administer ‘Undertaking of Confidentiality’;


During proceedings, perform an advisory role to the Board and provide guidance in accordance with the Terms of Reference and the applicable UN rules/regulations/directives/administrative instructions and ensure that the Board is focused on the issues before them;


Provide adequate clerical, logistical and communication support to the individual Boards during proceedings;


Participate in on-site visits and take notes of all observations on the ground;


Locate and arrange for interview of witnesses beforehand and allowing the parties to be prepared and/or to refresh the facts of the case;


Obtain Witness Attestations,

Client Orientation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

3-4 years Experience in analytical report writing is required. Experience in Board of Inquiry or any other entity involved in investigative proceedings is desirable. Experience in handling confidential documents is an advantage and familiarity with function-related provisions of United Nations Rules, Regulations, Manuals and Policy Documents is desirable.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.

Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.

All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis.

The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.

In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.