Welfare Officer

Volunteering Logistics & Procurement

Overview

Manage welfare activities and promote staff well-being in UNAMA.

You have:

• Experience in finance and business administration, social assistance, management/psychology and operation of welfare and recreational activities to support personnel working in difficult environments.
• Fluency in English speaking and writing, effective written communication skills including the ability to prepare reports.
• Computer skills including the ability to operate spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Power BI, and word processing programs at a highly proficient level, data analysis skills.
• Previous experience in welfare matters, event management, logistics, and financial management skills required.
• Knowledge of UN rules and regulations, including welfare activities, is an asset; experience as volunteer is an asset.
• Good office management skills and excellent interpersonal skills and discretion.
• Good IT skills, including graphic design (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, In-design, Corel or other programmes which will allow creating a proper promotion of recreational and welfare posters/events).
• Ability to creatively develop new ideas and plans of welfare and recreational activities to ensure that activities respect local culture/traditions.

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.

UNAMA is a political mission that provides political good offices in Afghanistan; works with and supports the government; supports the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation. UNAMA was established by the UN Security Council Resolution 1401 in March 2002 at the request of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Its mandate is reviewed annually with the latest mandate renewal being on 15 September 2020 when the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2543 (2020). Resolution 2543 (2020) calls for UNAMA and the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, within their mandate and in a manner consistent with Afghan sovereignty, leadership, and ownership, to continue to lead and coordinate international civilian efforts in full cooperation with the country authorities.

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Establish, administer, and manage welfare activities in full compliance with the UN rules and regulations; • Develop welfare and recreation programmes in accordance with SOP/DPKO guidelines and implementation of welfare activities in the Mission; • Work with the Staff Counselling and Welfare team to make improvements in the working environment and improve the moral and team spirit of UNAMA personnel; • Develop an Annual Welfare Work Plan/Budget with clearly defined goals, actions, and criteria to evaluate performance; • Provide financial accountabilities for all funds received, held or disbursed for welfare activities, and be accountable as well for all facilities or other property received or under his/her control for implementing welfare and recreation activities; • Ensure that all Mission components benefit from welfare and recreation activities and facilities, including surveys, and conduct analysis of information and data from mission personnel; • Keep a record of all equipment, material, and furniture purchased by welfare funds; • Supervise recreation activities, restaurant catering, and welfare work according to UN rules and regulations. • Inspect and maintain all premises and equipment used by personnel under strict quality control; • Arrange for quarterly meetings of the Welfare and Recreation Committee. Prepare the presentation for the committee meeting and the meeting minutes of the different meetings; • Ensure gym, restaurants, and other welfare facilities are running accordingly and with the appropriate services maintenance; • Support in the management of funds generated from contractor’s contributions to UNAMA and allocate/utilize in accordance with guidance from the Welfare Committee;•
• Identify contractual arrangements required to support staff welfare, particularly the provision of catering services, and manage the performance of these contracts following implementation by the Procurement Section; • In coordination with the OSH and Medical Section, conduct monthly hygiene inspections of all welfare outlets. Prepare a detailed report of the findings and ensure that corrective measures are implemented. • Establish or organize recreational activities such as welfare movie nights, quiz nights, DJ nights, purchase of gym and sports equipment; • Ensure activities are conducted in a manner that maximizes the safety and well-being of personnel, taking into consideration the special needs of all personnel; • Develop content for the Welfare bulletin where UN personnel can properly follow up on upcoming events; • Provide information about welfare activities through proper advertising and promotion of recreational activities; • Organize weekly events such as Happy Hour and special events at the occasion of UN International Days; • Establish liaisons within UN Missions and other Agencies regarding recreation activities ; • Creatively develop new ideas and plans of welfare and recreational activities to ensure that activities respect local culture/traditions; • Work closely with the Regional Administrative Officers (RAOs), their deputies, and regional welfare and recreational committees to coordinate welfare events, identify their needs, and ensure these are addressed in their Annual Work Plan; • Maintain welfare administrative files and official records; • Conduct staff surveys on welfare and recreation to ascertain that the work plan and programme accurately reflect the staff needs; • In support of the Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit and as may be required to back up colleagues during leave/crisis situations, as required. • Regular coordination and collaboration with Procurement, Acquisition Management Unit (AMU), EFMS, and the Finance and Budget Unit (FBU) regarding contract extensions, scope of work, maintenance, and payment releases.

Communication; Integrity; Planning and Organizing; Professionalism; Working in Teams.

Experience in finance and business administration, social assistance, management/psychology and operation of welfare and recreational activities to support personnel working in difficult environments. Language: Fluency in English speaking and writing. Effective written communication skills including the ability to prepare reports. Computer skills: Computer skills including the ability to operate spreadsheets PowerPoint , Power BI and word processing programs at a highly proficient level, data analysis skills.

The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports the UNAMA Welfare Unit with professionalism, dedication and client orientation. The following experience and qualifications are required: • Previous experience in welfare matters, event management, logistics, financial management skills required; • Logistics operations and contract management skills; • Experience with United Nations and knowledge of UN rules and regulations, including welfare activities, is an asset; experience as volunteer is an asset; • Fluency in oral and written English; good spelling, grammar, oral communication skills; • Excellent interpersonal skills and discretion; • Good office management skills; • Good IT skills, including graphic design (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, In-design, Corel or other programmes which will allow creating a proper promotion of recreational and welfare posters/events); good knowledge of MS Office applications; web site designing knowledge is an asset; • Knowledge of gym equipment management, Personal Trainer, fitness or other sports activities an asset; • Have ability with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with a volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNAMA are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in an extensive compound in Kabul with good infrastructure and amenities. UNAMA the administrative and technical support offices are located at the UNOCA compound on Jalalabad Road, at some distance from central Kabul.

Generally speaking, stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers as other UN staff, are quite limited in all Afghan duty stations when it comes to movement, walking virtually not allowed. There are number of security measures to be compiled with, such as the minimum Operational Residential Security Standards or MORSS before moving into any accommodation. The UNAMA Security section provides these guidelines during the initial security briefing upon arrival in the mission area.

Upon arrival, volunteers are accommodated at the UNV designated accommodations within the UNOCA compound for a fix charge of US$ 10 per day (US$ 300 per month for a room), exclusive of food. Inside the UNOCA compound are two cafeterias, a restaurant, a “Superette” and 3 small shops which provide a variety of imported canned and frozen food on offer. There is a Fresh vegetable market daily. There is also a social center, a gym hall and a small library with books and DVDs, run by the welfare Office, within the same compound.

Most produce/staples are common in the markets e.g. rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt etc. UNOCA has a new minimarket where basic goods can be bought also.

Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry, but winter is the opposite – cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Most common consumer articles are available in Kabul (and in the regions).

Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique UN mission. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are absolutely essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org