Rations Operations - Quality Assurance 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.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014. (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/).

Under the direct supervision of Rations Officer the UN Volunteer Rations Operations Assistant will undertake the following tasks:

• Ensure all requisitions are received in a timely manner from contingents. • Verify and validate the food requisitions received from contingents for accuracy. • Assist in verification of weekly inventory reports and ensure the contractor warehouse has required stocks available.
• Ensure that troop strength reports are received in a timely manner from contingent locations and are summarized after cross verification with Memorandum of Understanding strength details. • Ensure the Composite Ration Packs (CRPs) consumed are deducted from the fresh ration entitlements of respective contingents. • Assist in preparing the final individual requisitions in a timely manner. • Cross verify the initial and final orders to ensure that there are no variations in items ordered by the troops. • Give recommendations on substitution request for the missing items.
• Ensure proper filing of the troop strength reports, food requisition, troop movements and CRP and Bottled Water (BW) data. • To continuously monitor the Contractor’s warehousing activities ensuring that acceptable performance levels are maintained. • Monitoring implementation of the approved Quality Control (QC) plan and reviewing quality plans against the contractual requirements and recommending improvements. • Review the Contractor’s inspection procedures and practices. • Validate the F2 documents for customs clearance. • Verify that the food items imported by the contractor comply with applicable food safety codes and UN standards and coordinate with the Contractor for quality approvals when required. • Receive contingent receipt data in Electronic Rations Management Systems (eRMS) and generate redelivery requests, if required • Receive, review and analyze customer complaints and provide corrective actions to clients; • Participate in contingent location inspections. • Maintain strong working relations with Contingent Logistics Officers, Mission Support Centre, COE, and the Staff Officer Rations. • Provide training on rations matters to national staff and Contingent Logistics Officers. • Performs other related duties as required by the supervisor.

Professionalism: Broad and in-depth knowledge, understanding and experience of food safety and quality, management, report analysis, showing professional competence and mastery of subject matter; demonstrate ability to apply good judgment and be accurate; ability to take initiative, ownership, and work independently under established procedures; willingness to accept wide responsibilities; Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.

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 cross-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Good command of reporting and maintaining databases.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and dynamic environment. • Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc) and other IT applications and office technology equipment is required.

Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DR Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in particular 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 the SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried the country into a chaos.

The country is totally dependent on Cameroon sea port 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 3 and 4 restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 6 am.

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 hospital built is operational since August 2014.

Only four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France (once a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.

Staff in Bangui (MHQ) lives on local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to 2014 more accommodation is available but with high costs therefore sharing is recommended. Supermarkets having all variety of food and appliances are available but costlier than normal process. Also Level II Hospital run by military medical team is available next to the MHQ.

Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme in Bangui has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations to a 6 weeks frequency. Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. 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.