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)

Assignment until 31 December 2024, with 1 year possible extension depending on availability of funds and satisfactory of performance.

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, take statements ensuring relevant questions are addressed; if not, advise the Chairman; prepare and forward completed Statements for review and obtain signatures; • Monitor progress on the case, keeping in mind the deadline for submission of the final report according to the SOPs for BOI; • Specific to the BOI report, ensure findings and methodology possess the requisite integrity and merit, and that all avenues to the inquiry have been exhausted; ensure that the report is format-compliant, structured and unambiguous in its expression; • Ensure that the recommendations are practical, feasible and implementable; • Forward the draft BOI Report to the Legal Office for review, comments and/or approval; • If applicable, forward the comments and concerns by the Legal Office to the Board members for their further consideration; • Upon its approval by the Legal Office, compile the BOI case file, complete with annexes and the signed Final BOI Report for review, comments and/or approval by the Unit/Section Chief, Office of Legal Affairs and the Head of Mission; • On behalf of the Head of Mission, draft transmittal memoranda for the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support (USG/DFS) summarizing the facts of the case and ensuring accuracy, paying close attention to grammar, language, coherence, chronology, tone, style and format; draft transmittal memoranda to relevant offices, indicating how the Board arrived at the recommendations and requesting its implementation; • Follow-up with relevant offices to ensure the recommendations have been implemented as requested by the Head of Mission; • Scan the finalized BOI case files to the various databases, including BOI Tracker; • Inform Conduct and Discipline Team, should misconduct on a case be established on a BOI; • Monitor and record movement of BOI case files in circulation; • Maintain a proactive and dynamic approach to problem solving related to the assigned case portfolio and the Unit’s workload; • Provide back-up support during the absence of other colleagues; • Ensure timely, professional and effective response to enquiries; • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training; • Any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Integrity Professionalism Respect for Diversity Team Work

Administration or social sciences

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.