Security Sector Reform (SSR) 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.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the 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). MINUSCA current uniformed personnel levels stand at 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and are tasked with the strategic objective of creating the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to sustainably reducing the presence of — and threat posed by — armed groups. See http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief Strategic Planning & Reporting Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer SSR Officer :

• Assists in crafting essential elements of the endorsed SSR Programme, encompassing the overarching policy and legal framework, implementation strategy, operational modalities, and action plans, while considering national program priorities and targets. • Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned projects, monitors and analyzes project development and implementation, reviews pertinent documents and reports, identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant stakeholders, and identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Offers technical expertise to ongoing projects and provide technical guidance and assistance to key stakeholders (such as SSR unit management, established Commissions, or government officials).; consults with relevant stakeholders through inclusive and participatory processes; and conduct continuous monitoring of project activities. • Organizes or conducts research on various aspects of SSR work; analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources; identifies problems and issues to be assessed and proposes corrective actions. • Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, and so on. • Undertakes survey initiatives; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions. • Participates in field missions, providing guidance to government officials and other involved parties, drafts mission summaries, and so on. • Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; contributes to conducting training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics or activities. • Contributes to coordinating activities related to budget and funding (including project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, and so on) and prepares related documents and reports (pledging, work, programme budget, and so on). • Liaises closely with others relevant parties to ensure to ensure the effective integration and coordination of SSR activities. • Prepares various written outputs, such as draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, and similar materials. • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, and so on. • When collaborating with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to allocate dedicated time for training, coaching, mentoring and capacity development. • Performs other related duties as required by direct supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/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.

Building Trust, Client Orientation, Communication, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

peacekeeping/peace-building or development work with specific focus on SSR, inter-agency coordination, political analysis, institutional development, or a related area. Previous experience in policy coordination or project management is desirable. Previous experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Previous experience in SSR with professional experiences in advising, guiding, or mentoring defense or security forces is desirable. Previous experience in the UN common system is desirable. Proven experience gained in a professional capacity in drafting high quality, analytical reports is desirable. Experience with project management and sensitization of national partners 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. 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. 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. Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice 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. 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. https://www.unv.org/. Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.