Coordination Officer, UNV Field Office

Volunteering Admin Human Resources

Contract

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The UN Volunteer (UNV) Field Unit (FU) is an efficient functioning unit with a primary priority focus on Volunteer Mobilization through partnerships and inter-agency collaboration. The UNV FU in the Democratic Republic of Congo hast wo elements with one presence focused on Agency, Funds and Programmes and one fully integrated in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to provide full administrative and operational support to the serving UN volunteers into the UN Mission’s functional structure. The UNV FU inside MONUSCO is based in Kinshasa with a colleague outposted in Entebbe.

Reporting to the Manager, Regional Office and under the supervision of the MONUSCO Chief, Human Resources Management Section (HRMS), the UNV FU is responsible for the strategic planning, programming, advocacy and overall management of the day-to-day operations of UNV’s programme activity within the context of its programme collaboration with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

The current position reports directly to the Programme Manager of the UNV Office based in Kinshasa.

Under the direct supervision of the UNV Programme Manager (PM), the Coordination Officer will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Coordination and Management Support to the UNV Programme Manager • Proactively support the UNV PM in the planning, coordination, review, editing, finalization, and management of documentation, correspondence, reports, and briefing materials, including sign-off on behalf of the PM when duly authorized. • Coordinate and provide administrative support for meetings, townhalls, workshops, webinars, field visits, and other events involving UN Volunteers and stakeholders. • Draft monthly reports for Human Resources and quarterly reports for Mission leadership, ensuring accuracy and timely submission. • Support management of UNV programme activities and initiatives within MONUSCO and RSCE. • Coordinate responses to finance and budget-related queries and support budgeting and workforce planning exercises, in collaboration with the Budget and Administrative Assistant. • Coordinate activities related to the transition and closure of MONUSCO duty stations and support affected UN Volunteers throughout the process. • Support data collection, monitoring, and reporting related to gender parity and workforce statistics. • Contribute to the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the annual UNV workplan.

2. Coordination, Mobilization, and Management of UN Volunteers • Coordinate recruitment processes in collaboration with hiring managers, mission sections, UN entities, and UNV Headquarters. • Facilitate and coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes. • Coordinate and lead requests related to contract extensions and reassignments. • Prepare and disseminate information to UN Volunteers through broadcasts, individual consultations, meetings, webinars, and other communication channels, in consultation with the PM. • Provide induction sessions and financial briefings to newly arrived UN Volunteers in collaboration with other team members. • Serve as the focal point for general inquiries from UN Volunteers including reassignment, local working conditions, accommodation, onboarding, security matters, and UNV Conditions of Service. • Liaise with UNV Headquarters through Salesforce and other corporate platforms on volunteer-related cases and requests. • Organize, coordinate, and facilitate townhalls, webinars, information sessions, and engagement activities for UN Volunteers. • Prepare accommodation supplement requests and coordinate related documentation. • Coordinate the inventory of volunteers’ personal effects, where applicable. • Maintain accurate electronic records and archives of all UN Volunteer documentation in UNV Office SharePoint. • Maintain Conduct and Discipline records and support follow-up actions as required. • Ensure effective communication and information flow regarding UNV policies, procedures, and administrative matters.

3. Coordination and Leadership of Communications and Visibility Efforts • Coordinate, support, and provide guidance to UN Volunteers in preparing presentations, success stories, and contributions for quarterly UNV Townhalls. • Identify and promote opportunities to enhance the visibility and recognition of UN Volunteers serving within MONUSCO and RSCE.

4. Team Support and Cross-Functional Responsibilities • Provide backup support to the Finance Assistant function, as required, ensuring continuity of critical operations. • Collaborate closely with UNV Field Unit personnel and Mission sections. • Participate in field missions and monitoring visits as required. • Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor in support of the objectives of the UNV Programme.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams • Self-management

A minimum of three years of experience in coordination, administration, human resources, and management support. Previous experience as a volunteer and/or previous Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO ) experience, preferably in a developing country and within a United Nations Volunteers (UNV ) Field Unit, would be a strong asset.

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, were, 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 Kinshasa. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Goma), 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 and Entebbe which are 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 Kinshasa, Goma and all the other towns.

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), 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.

The DRC is a unique country, and MONUSCO is a unique peace operation. It offers an interesting and enriching environment, while also requiring a high level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment. Flexibility, and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions – sometimes involving physical hardship and limited comfort – are therefore essential.

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Added 8 days ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: unv.org