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.

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 Government of Afghanistan.

UNAMA maintains a permanent and extensive field presence across Afghanistan, as well as liaison offices in Pakistan and Iran.

In January 2017, the Welfare Unit was merged with the Staff Counselling Unit. The 2 Units will be jointly known as the Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit and will be responsible to provide Welfare and Counselling services to UNAMA staff in Afghanistan.

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 record of all equipment, material and furniture purchased by welfare funds; •Supervise recreation activities, restaurant catering and welfare work according with UN rules and regulation; •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 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; •Arrange for quarterly meetings of the Welfare and Recreation 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; •Establishment or organization of recreational activities such as welfare movie nights, quiz nights, DJ nights, purchase of gym and sport equipment. •Develop a content for Welfare bulletin where UN personnel 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 occasion of UN International Days; •Establish liaison within UN Missions and other Agencies regarding recreation activities and counselling officers; •Creatively develop new ideas and plan of welfare and recreational activities to ensure that activities respect local culture/traditions. •Work closely with the Regional Area Officers (RAOs) and regional welfare and recreational committees to organize events and activities. •Maintain welfare administrative files and official records. •Conduct staff surveys on welfare and recreation to ascertain that the work plan and programme accurately reflects the staff needs. •In support of the Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit and as may be required to back up staff during leave/crisis situations, as required.

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

5 years’ experience in social assistance, management/ business administration/psychology and operation of welfare and recreational activities to support staff working in difficult environments; Previous experience in welfare matters, event management or logistics required or financial management skills; Logistic Operational and Contract Management skills.

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. There are also a number of UN cleared supermarkets in Kabul, in Jalalabad, and in Mazar-I-Sharif.

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.