Field Support 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.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political process in the country and carry out a number of security-related tasks.

The latest SCR (2640, June 2022) indicates that MINUSMA’s mandate shall include the following priority tasks:

(a) Support to the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali

(b) Support to the restoration of State authority in the Centre

(c) Good offices and reconciliation

(d) Protection of civilians and stabilization, including against asymmetric threats (…)

http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusma/

The Protection of Civilians (PoC) unit advises the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and senior Mission leadership on the implementation of the Mission’s PoC mandate; coordinates MINUSMA’s PoC Strategy implementation, and supports all Mission personnel in taking the PoC mandate implementation forward as part of their activities.

Sustainable Development Goals 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Under the direct supervision of the Menaka Head of Office, the Protection of Civilians Field Support Officer functions entail liaising with Mission personnel performing analytical and operational functions in all sections and with Humanitarian Protection actors, in addition to normal reporting lines. Functions are subject to change once full staffing of the Unit has been achieved. Within delegated authority, the Protection of Civilians Field Support Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Support the Menaka Head of Office in his/her leadership on PoC. • Act as Secretariat of the Regional PoC Task Force. Regional PoC Task Force is chaired by the Head of the Menaka Office. • Assist the Regional PoC Task Force on its bi-monthly PoC Threat and Risk As-sessments, including preventive/mitigations recommendations. • Assist the HoO/Regional PoC Task Force in the coordination, joint planning and implementation of PoC recommendations resulting from the bi-monthly PoC Threat and Risk Assessments. • Support PoC Joint Field Missions and follow up on missions’ recommendations; • Stimulate coordination on PoC activities between the different sections and com-ponents; • Organize and prepare studies on PoC and related issues; organize follow-up work to support policy development work and decision-making on PoC issues in support to the Head of Office and the PoC Team Leader based in Gao. • Coordinate with local humanitarian and protection actors to assess the PoC situ-ation and plan mitigation measures, mainly through the Regional PoC Task Force but not only limited to it, in order to (i) foster a common understanding of the threats facing civilians, (ii) facilitate continuous information sharing to realize synergies and prevent the duplication of efforts and (iii) support the humanitari-an community in its protection efforts when needed. • Help ensure that latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are in-corporated into the above activities, including gender-related considerations. • Acts as interim during absence of Gao-based PoC Team Leader. • Backstops PoC planning and reporting processes as well as PoC follow up in Kidal and Gao. • Performs other duties as required by the HoO and Gao-based PoC Team Lead-er.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including par-ticipation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs: • Regional PoC Task Force meets bi-monthly and produces the due PoC Threat and Risk Assessments, including preventive/mitigating recommendations; • PoC recommendations resulting from the bi-monthly PoC Threat and Risk Assessments are soundly coordinated, joint planned and implemented, and their impact on PoC evaluat-ed on a bi-monthly basis; • PoC Joint Field Missions are timely organized and missions’ recommendations followed up; • PoC activities carried out by the different sections and components are coordinated; • Common understanding with Humanitarian Protection Cluster, UNHCR and OCHA, of the PoC threats facing civilians in the designated region; • Continuous information sharing on PoC issues with Humanitarian Protection Cluster, UN-HCR and OCHA in the designated region; • Humanitarian community supported in its PoC efforts in the designated region.

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 docu-mented in all activities throughout the assignment A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and 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 ap-ply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take owner-ship; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under es-tablished procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, im-partiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confiden-tially; responsive and client-oriented. • 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 diversi-ty and gender; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of opera-tions; 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 soli-darity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

3 Years Experience in International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law, international relations or peacekeeping would be an added-value. Field experience required; international field experience would be an added-value.

The living conditions in Menaka are harsh with extreme heat and sandstorms. Newcomers are advised to bring appropriate clothing and shoes compatible with dust condition and sand, mosquito repellent and a hanging mosquito net. Appropriate measures are in place to mitigate the current security risk for UN personnel in the country. All UN Volunteers, like all UN personnel, undergo a security briefing and the 3 day mandatory training “Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments” (SSAFE) upon arrival, where practical guidance and recommendations are provided regarding security threats in Mali. An additional security briefing is provided upon arrival to the final duty station. Like all UN personnel, UN Volunteers based in Gao/Kidal/Timbuktu/Mopti/Menaka/Tessalit are accommodated in UN premises, for which they contribute by 100 USD/month. UN provided accommodation in Mali is compliant with wellbeing standards, i.e. female/male bathrooms. A welfare committee is also active in all duty stations to ensure sufficient access to welfare commodities, including food supplies. Emergency contacts (security, medical, staff counselling, UNV Office) are made available for all UN Volunteers upon arrival, and each individual is provided with a VHF radio and a call sign, which can be used at all time. For the sake of rewarding experience, UN volunteers in MINUSMA 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.