Logistics 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 Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). – http://monusco.unmissions.org.

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Mission Support Center (MSC) Operational Support Manager (OSM) in the Field Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Act on the advice and guidance of the MSC Field Office OSM for provision of logistics support within the following parameters: UN’s Financial Rules and Regulations, Staff Rules, administrative policies, instructions, technical guidance from MSC and specific delegations of authority from the Chief MSC;

• Assist the MSC Field Office OSM in preparing the short, medium and long term plan support requirements of the Field Office to identify the resource requirements and factoring additional resources for any circumstances unforeseen at the current stage but will likely arise in the foreseeable future;

• Assist MSC Field Office OSM to liaise with Military contingents, FPU, UNPOL and substantive personnel at the field office level, reviewing plans and operational requirements to deliver requisite resources in a timely and cost effective manner;

• Assist MSC Field Office OSM to provide timely advice and technical input in terms of providing logistics support in accordance with the approved MOU of the military/police contingents, UN regulations & rules, policies and procedures;

• Coordinate the provision of adequate logistics support to designated sub-offices and other locations within the Field Office Area of Responsibility (AOR);

• Assist the MSC Field Office OSM to oversee the proper utilization of all UN Owned Equipment (UNOE), Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) and assets, as well as premises leased by the Mission, in conformity with UN Financial Regulations, Rules and established policies, procedures and guidelines in the Field Office AOR;

• Assists the MSC Field Office OSM in identifying the continued requirement for leasing and occupation of premises including renewals of leases, in accordance to established Mission priorities;

• Liaise with Field Office Service Delivery (SD) & Supply Chain Management (SCM) Section representatives for technical advice in all matters pertaining to their specific areas or expertise;

• Attend the weekly LogOps meeting, under supervision of the MSC Field Office OSM, involving all SD & SCM Section representatives in the field office to discuss the status / progress of on-going support or projects including preparations for any future projects or support requirements;

• Provide regular and accurate feedback on all logistic support issues within the Field Office AOR to the MSC Field Office OSM and Chief MSC;

• When tasked, act as the focal point on behalf of the MSC Field Office OSM to liaise with UN Agencies, non-UN entities and local authorities in the provision of approved logistics support in the field office. Provide feedback / status of support provided to the MSC Field Office OSM;

• Be ready to assume the responsibility as OIC MSC Field Office OSM during the period of absence owing to leave, sickness or official business out of the duty station of the incumbent;

• Implement and adhere to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) developed by MSC Field Office OSM. Provide necessary feedback in order to measure the logistic support performance of the field office as against the established strategic goals and objectives;

• 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;

• Perform any other related duties as and when assigned by the MSC Field Office OSM or Chief MSC;

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

Logistics operations, or Supply Chain Management functions related.

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.