Welfare 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.

Préoccupé par la situation sécuritaire, humanitaire, par les problè;mes liés aux Droits de l’Homme et À la crise politique au sein de la République Centrafricaine et de ses implications régionales, le Conseil de Sécurité autorise le 10 Avril 2014, le déploiement d’une Opération Multidimensionnelle de Maintien de la Paix des Nations Unies – la MINUSCA, avec une protection hautement prioritaire des civiles. Ses autres fonctions comprennent l’appui au processus de transition ; la facilitation de l’assistance humanitaire ; la promotion et la protection des droits humains ; le soutien À la justice et À l’état de droit, ainsi que les procédés liés au désarmement, À la démobilisation, À la réintégration et au rapatriement.

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Staff Welfare Officer, 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 DPKO guidelines and implementation of welfare activities in the Mission;


Provide financial accountability 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 record of all equipment, material and furniture purchased by welfare funds;


Supervise recreation activities, restaurant catering and welfare club work according UN rules and regulation;


Inspect and maintain all premises and equipment used by personnel, under strict quality control;


Ensure gym, restaurant, welfare bar and other welfare premises are running accordingly and with the appropriate services maintenance;


Take under his/her responsibility the establishment or organization of recreational activities such as welfare trips, club house, reading areas, movie screening, internet connection, purchase of gym and sport equipment, setting up or control bar and cafeteria or place where refreshments are served and other activities aiming at recreation of UN personnel and families;


Develop a Web Page where UN personnel and families can properly follow up the upcoming events;


Provide information about welfare activities through proper advertising and promotion of the recreational activities;


Organize weekly events such as Happy Hour and special events at the occasio

, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Creativity, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports the MINUSCA WElfare Unit with professionalism, dedication and client orientation. The following qualifications are required:

Previous experience in welfare matters, event management or logistics required;


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 at spelling, grammar, oral communications;


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 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 affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

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.

The town of Bria (Sector East HQ) is located in eastern CAR, approximately 600 km from Bangui. The security situation is stable there (no need for escorts). MINUSCA has constructed a tented camp for civilian personnel with air-conditioned and acceptable standards, as well prefabricated accommodation camps. There are catering services provided by a commercial entity on a payment basis. The local market is also well-furnished with basic goods. There is Level 2 fully equipped military hospital in Bria.

The town of Bouar (Sector West HQ) is located in western CAR, approximately 500 km from Bangui, where living conditions are quite acceptable. The local market is open every day and well-furnished with seasonal fruit and basic goods. A military Level I clinic exists, but the mission has plans to establish a better facility. MINUSCA has constructed a tented camp for civilian personnel with air-conditioned and acceptable standards, as well as prefabricated accommodation camps and office units. There are also catering services provided by a commercial entity on a payment basis. The security situation is stable, but escorts are needed in some cases.

The town of Kaga Bandoro (Sector Centre HQ) is located in the centre of the country at 320 km from Bangui. The living conditions are similar to the ones prevailing in Bria.

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.