Environmental Affairs 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)

Under the direct supervision of Chief Environmental Unit the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Design and implement environmental education programmes. This will include (maintaining the environmental log, designing environmental communication plans, materials and implementation tools); • Follow up the implementation of environmental recommendations and keep a record of environmental issues and actions; • Conduct environmental education activities within the Military, FPUs and civilian; • Conduct regular environmental inspections and provide on-site guidance on environmental compliance in accordance with the DOS Environmental Policy; • Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, environmental hazards and other environment-related incidents and propose line of action; • Conduct environmental baseline assessments/surveys of operations in the mission; • Provide guidance on the conservation of the country’s cultural heritage, archaeological sites and ecological sites (wildlife, wetlands, forest, etc.) as may be necessary and as pertinent within the Mission’s mandate; • Provide regular reports and briefs to the Chief Environmental Unit on environmental conditions of the sites inspected; • Undertake any other related duties assigned by the Chief Environmental Unit; • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs), the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training.

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

Environmental management experience. Strong focus on environmental education and communication is required for this position

• Knowledge of and experience in environmental engineering technologies is desirable; • Proficiency in Microsoft office applications; • A valid driving license with at least 2 year of driving is required as the work involves travel to field sites; • Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

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 wi31th 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.