Communication & Reporting Assistant

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 non-family (GOMA) until 30 June 2023, with possible extension until 30 June 2024

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation Reintegration and Resettlement (DDR\RR) section, the duties of the Communication and Reporting Assistant will include but are not limited to the following:

1. Reporting

• Compile and complete information on early warning and key activities from field offices in a weekly and monthly section report, distributed to other sections across the Mission;
• Develop and maintain a portfolio of evidence of Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation - Community Violence Reduction (DDR-CVR) related Resulat Based Budget (RBB) outputs as well as Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation - Community Violence Reduction (DDR-CVR) activities contributing protection of civilians, security sector reform stabilization related Resulat Based Budget (RBB) outputs.
• Coordinate the monthly gathering of data from the Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation (DDR) field teams and relevant DDR HQ units to populate the portfolio of evidence.
• Manage the Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation (DDR) client and weapons master databases.
• Prepare the Section’s mid-term and yearly Resulat Based Budget (RBB) performance reports, in coordination with Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation (DDR) field teams and relevant HQ units, to include data analysis to support improvement of Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation - Community Violence Reduction (DDR-CVR) programmes.
• Prepare the Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation (DDR) Section weekly situational report, briefing notes, talking points, and analytical notes to inform the Section’s decision-making and engagement with partners.
• Improve or develop programme and operational reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition of information on Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation - Community Violence Reduction (DDR-CVR) programmes;
• Support the implementation of the work of all units in the Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation - Community Violence Reduction (DDR-CVR) Section;
• Liaise with a diverse array of local interlocutors and monitors/reports on developments related to the mandate of the Section;
• Prepare responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties;
• Develop and maintain relations with government officials at the working levels and advises them on issues and policies of mutual concern;
• Participate as a member of a team dealing with a variety of Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation - Community Violence Reduction (DDR-CVR) issues in the country;
• Prepare analytical briefing notes, based on the field offices’ analysis to inform decision-making and support political advocacy efforts and good offices. Identify and compile best practices and lessons learned from completed activities by field offices and draft code cables and articles to highlight key achievements by the section, in collaboration with field offices;
• Disseminate information material in a timely and quality manner as authorized by the Chief Disarmament Demobilization Repatriation (DDR);
• Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports and communications as requested by the Mission, in coordination with other sections e.g. Secretary General reports, Mission Annual and Mid-Term Performance Report;

2. Coordination

• Coordinate with other civil and military team members, relevant regional headquarters and government officials to achieve consistency and synergy in the reporting for the implementation of the Mission mandate;
• Liaise, coordinate, share and corroborate information with other sections in the preparation of Mission reports and briefing notes;
• When working with national staff or non-governmental counterparts, set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training;
• Assist in planning, coordinating and supporting programmes, projects and activities requiring section and/or other sections and partner’s involvement and participation;
• Represent the team at meetings, seminars and conferences;
• Any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Client Orientation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Programme management, political affairs, database management skills, reporting, draft skills, monitoring and evaluation.

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.