UNV Welfare Officer

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MONUSCO - United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Application deadline 10 months ago: Monday 29 May 2023 at 00:00 UTC

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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.

Assignment is non-family (BUNIA)

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff Welfare Unit the duties of the UNV Welfare Officer will include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and deliver programs to increase adjustment to mission life as well as improve the quality of life of the personnel in his/her area of responsibility and as deemed necessary. • Facilitate increased welfare initiatives in his/her area of responsibility through offering support to committees by drafting monthly and annual plans on welfare and recreational activities, participating in the implementation of activities ,mobilization of participants and update of the local committee. • Develop regular recreational activities for the mission’s personnel in his/her area of responsibility (such as outings, film nights and other social events) in partnership with the local welfare committee. • Coordinate delivery of fresh food, essential items to staff members in need and during critical moments. • Liaise with other Mission components/section for renovation, establishment of welfare facilities such as gymnasiums, cafeteria, PX shops, libraries, sports grounds, accommodation facilities and periodical inspection of welfare and recreation facilities in his/her area of responsibility. • Collect data, monitor and report on use of welfare funds, budget, Welfare and recreation activities, use of welfare facilities in his/her area of responsibility. • Monitor environmental factors that could lead to unhealthy lifestyle. • Increase staff awareness and information about social and recreational opportunities available to them in the mission through contributing to the induction training of new personnel by producing a guide to the local amenities, drafting of newsletters, leaflets, videos, and other communication tools on welfare activities as well as regular updating information posted on the internet system, facilitating access to housing information and developing links with local resources as appropriate. • Assess welfare needs within the mission and provides a focal point for welfare initiatives within the mission. • Assess, identify, monitor, and report to the Chief of Staff Welfare Unit on the sources of stress and the stress levels among Monusco personnel in his/her area of responsibility. • Analyze and recommend welfare approaches to reduce stress among Monusco personnel. • Any other related duties as requested by the supervisor.

Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

• planning and organizing welfare events such as cultural and arts exhibitions, large scale sports and gaming events, training, large parties, welfare trips, travel and tourism and other Stress Management events. • Excellent customer service skills, and creativity to deliver successful programs with limited resources are required.

Very good computer skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher or in design

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.

Added 10 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: unv.org