Executive 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.

The Central African Republic has experienced an acute crisis since 2013 that has caused over 1.5 million people into forced displacement including over 700,000 refugees who fled to neighboring countries and close to 750,000 internally displaced persons. Just during the most recent crisis in the context of the presidential and legislative elections, 133,000 newly displaced persons are still in forced displacement in very precarious situations with limited humanitarian access. While humanitarian needs across the country remain huge, the situation in CAR has, for years, been one of the most consistently overlooked and underfunded emergencies in the world, forcing UNHCR and its humanitarian partners to reduce critical activities. In this IDP context, UNHCR is the Lead of the Protection Cluster as well as co-leads the CCCM The national cluster is based in Bangui while regional clusters are established in prefectures where UNHCR has a presence. UNHCR’s protection activities in CAR also include the protection monitoring of IDPs and refugees returning to their areas of origin, as well as their host communities. The protection activities also include protection response to identified protection risks and a strong community-based approach in support among others of social cohesion. The UNHCR CAR operation seeks synergies between its protection interventions and interventions under the Camp Management/Camp Coordination (CCCM) as well as non-food item and shelter interventions. Regarding return and durable solutions, UNHCR CAR facilitates the return of refugees as well as their reintegration. UNHCR co-leads with UNDP the Working Group on Durable Solutions. Since April 2023, CAR has hosted some 20000 refugees from Sudan following the crisis in the country. They are mainly found in the Vakaga prefecture one of the poorest of the country. Some 37000 Chadians refugees also arrived in CAR as of June 2023 as a result of intercommunal clashes.

Under the direct supervision of the Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in managing and prioritizing the information flow to the supervisor, as well as advice on actions to be taken. • Analyse supporting documentation and summarize most relevant points for the supervisor. • Contribute to ensuring that appropriate action is taken by responsible Section Heads on matters brought to the attention of the supervisor. • Assist in following-up on policies and instructions presented by the supervisor. Keep the Supervisor abreast of developments in UNHCR’s major operations in the West and Central Africa regions, and of policies issues related directly to UNHCR or to humanitarian issues under the broader UN system. • Assist the supervisor in the preparation of statements that represent UNHCR’s overall policies, and which highlight specific areas of concern. • Propose and draft substantive correspondence for the supervisor. (SMC notes, talking points, meeting notes). • Confer with Section Heads to secure timely and authoritative information relevant to matters requiring action, decisions, or the signature of the supervisor. • Elaborate talking points for the supervisor for meeting and missions by reaching out to relevant contact within and outside UNHCR and researching pertinent information. • Support the supervisor in efforts to raise the profile of UNHCR and the agency’s concerns within the context of the broader United Nations system. • Contribute to coordinating drafts of position papers and other documents relevant to the activities of the Office. • Ensure that high-level visits are appropriately addressed, that they receive background information as necessary, and that protocol is respected. • Perform other related duties as required. Results/Expected Outputs: • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs). • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative, and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Minimum 3 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. • Good knowledge and experience of UN operations. • Knowledge of additional UN languages such as Spanish is an asset. • Strong skills on social media (twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc…) Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point), and Internet browsing.

The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried country into a chaos. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport situated 1500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 4 and 5 restricting movement to official travel only. The curfew applies from 10pm to 5am due to the current state of emergency, however, international staff is still advised to renter before 08pm to avoid any security incidents.

This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN is building a hospital for its staff to be concluded in May. Four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France and Kenya Airways (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc and Asky (three times a week).

Flights are subject of cancellation when security situation volatility increases. UN flights are also available to move towards UN operation areas in the country. R&R cycle in the entire Central African Republic 6 weeks. The Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the prices increase and scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house according to the security measures can take about 4 weeks or more. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities.

For the sake of rewarding experience, UN volunteers in CAR carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.

Important consideration during COVID-19 pandemic: As we continue to deliver services to the beneficiaries amidst COVID-19 pandemic, the later can present a heightened risk to people over the age of 65 and to those with pre-existing medical conditions, some of which are listed below, and candidates are strongly encouraged to consider them before applying to this IUNV Assignment in Central African Republic, where medical facilities are very poor in general, and the need for physical presence at the duty station for this assignment: