Protection of Civilians 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.

This position is located within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central Africa Republic (MINUSCA). The Protection of Civilians Officer will be based in Bangui and will report to the Senior Protection of Civilians Officer, P-5. The Protection of Civilians Officer will support the implementation of the Mission’s mandate for the protection of civilians. The UNV POC Officer will perform a coordination, analytical, and monitoring and reporting role. Specifically, s/he will be assisting the Senior POC Adviser to work with mission components and the Head of Offices to develop and regularly update the POC threat assessment for the area of responsibility; assist in establishment and provide secretariat services to POC coordination structures; contribute to the development of the mission-wide POC strategy; support the working level PoC Working Group; and work with Community Liaison Assistants.

Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July - 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. There is no expectation of automatic renewal. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.

Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work and travel anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

Within delegated authority, the UNV Protection of Civilians Officer will be responsible for the following roles and duties:

Coordination and communication • Support the development and implementation of the mission wide PoC strategy. • Provide secretariat support to the operational level PoC Working Group. • Ensure close coordination with relevant PoC partners in the development and implementation of the strategy and local protection plans, including with focal points for child protection and sexual violence in conflict. • Support PoC Advisors in strengthening cooperation with relevant protection actors, including national authorities, civil society, UN agencies and funds and programs with complementary mandates and other relevant partners, including with international security forces and the protection cluster. • Support Community Liaison Assistants in their daily work; collect and analyze information they submit. • Work with JOC and JMAC to provide early warning of POC threats to Head of Office.

Monitoring, analysis and reporting • Assist coordinating the activities of Joint Protection Teams missions, and/or join protection assessments with other actors. • Ensure that adequate PoC analysis is included in relevant reporting requirements, including SG reports. • Take responsibility for any POC monitoring and reporting activities in the area of responsibility. • Use of and management of Mission online planning tools, including data management, analysis and reporting.

Training • Support POC Advisor in assessing the training needs on protection of civilians’ issues within the mission, and design and support the delivery of tailored POC modules with relevant mission components, in close consultation with the IMTC. • In cooperation with the IMTC and other mission components, ensure adequate training on PoC for Governmental institutions, and Provide support as required and undertake other tasks as may be appropriate to the specific context and tasks vis-à-vis PoC.

Any other related tasks as may be required.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; 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. • 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 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 communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; 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 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.

A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in political science, humanitarian affairs, human rights, international relations, public administration or related fields at the national and international level. Advisory skills are required. Experience in joint analysis within peacekeeping operation is required. Previous experience in coordinating protection of civilians’ responses within peacekeeping operations is desirable.

The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.

The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos, and the recent creation of the Coalition of Patriots for Change, regrouping some existent armed groups. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way.

This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available, but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market.

There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to 2,000+ USD with all commodities.

Accommodation in all CAR duty stations outside of the capital Bangui is mandatorily inside the MINUSCA camps. In most cases, this is in the form of containerized accommodation with an individual bathroom, with 24/7 running water, electricity and wifi. This costs US$ 200 per month and is automatically deducted through the monthly payroll. When no self-contained accommodation is available immediately upon arrival, newly arriving personnel are housed in a container with a common bathroom until a self-contained container frees up.

A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well.

A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency.

The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.