General

Description of assignment title: National Political Affairs Assistant

Country assignment: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Expected start date: 01/06/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: MONUSCO

Type: Onsite

Expected end date: 06/30/2024

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kinshasa

Details

Mission and objectives

MONUSCO / MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations ( DPKO ). SCR 2277 ( 2016 ) requests MONUSCO to support efforts of the Government of DRC towards the protection of civilians, through a comprehensive approach involving all components of MONUSCO, including through reduction of the threat posed by Congolese and foreign armed groups and of violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children to a level that can be effectively managed by the Congolese justice and security institutions; and to support Stabilization through the establishment of functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including security and judicial institutions.The project aims at a better understanding of the most serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law in DRC and supports the leadership of the Mission through informed policy and decision making on future vetting of security forces through risk assessment and mitigation, joint planning for MONUSCO operations, as well as advocacy efforts.

Context

Assignment is with family ( KINSHASA )

Task description

Under the direct supervision of a section head of the Political Affairs Division, the United Nations Volunteer will perform the following tasks :

•  Collect, select, verify and analyze information contained in communications and publications from various sources, including internal mission reports and the press ;
•  Maintain knowledge of the political affairs of the DRC in general and in the area of responsibility of its office in particular ;
•  Update colleagues in the Mission of trends and developments in its area of responsibility ;
•  Monitor the actions of intergovernmental groups, the United Nations, governmental and non-governmental organizations in its area of responsibility ;
•  Provide technical and substantial support for the fulfillment of the mandate of the Political Affairs Division at the HQ Mission ;
•  Keep in touch with other sections of the Mission, international partners of the United Nations and government authorities on political and security affairs, coordination and general policy issues ;
•  Keep in touch with all local political actors and civil society groups ;
•  Help compile and produce daily, weekly, flash and other reports, as directed by the office manager and section ;
•  Participate in investigation missions and other joint missions in its area of responsibility ;
•  Participate in field visits under difficult conditions ;
•  Aider le chef de la Section des Affaires Politiques et/ou le chef de bureau aux initia-tives de résolution des conflits ou gestion de crise en rassemblant et en analysant des informations ainsi qu’en proposant des actions que la Mission pourrait entreprendre pour y répondre ;
•  Lorsqu’il travaille, le titulaire est fortement encouragé à réserver un temps pour l’entrainement, encadrement et du mentorat.
•  Toute autre tache connexe requise.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in Science politique ou droit ou sociologie

•  Excellent jugement dans l’application de son expertise de résoudre de problèmes, dont ceux qui sont sensibles, et la capacité de chercher des conseils et recommander des initiatives et autres solutions ;
•  Compétences en matière d’analyse, de recherche et de négociation ;
•  Capacité d’identifier et analyser des problèmes, comme politiques, ethniques sociaux, économiques ;
•  Excellente capacité à l’oral et à l’écoute, notamment capacite à articuler et à défendre ses analyses ou propositions ;
•  Excellentes compétences en rédaction et en rédaction, surtout en anglais et français ;
•  Aptitude à établir et à entretenir des contacts et à favoriser la collaboration avec des partenaires nationaux et internationaux afin d’obtenir des informations en temps voulu

Area(s) of expertise

Elections and governance, Legal affairs

Driving license

YES Required

Languages

French, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Science politique ou droit ou sociologie

Competencies and values

Client Orientation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, so it is very diverse. Living conditions are different between MONUSCO duty stations in Kinshasa, but there are only very basic conditions in the provinces, where, for example, there may not be a guarantee of public food or running water. The ability to live and work in difficult conditions is essential. Housing is very expensive in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. There are supermarkets in large cities ( Bukavu, Kisangani, for example ), but consumer goods are very expensive ( everything is imported ). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All MONUSCO duty stations are considered as duty stations’assignment not belonging to a family, With the exception of Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe, which are currently under study. Moved to specific sites / places ). In Kinshasa and Goma, there are a number of other situations, such as the increase in the number of crimes and other crimes. A certain degree of medical service is provided by all MONUSCO duty stations. Some vaccinations are compulsory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other people arriving. Certain MONUSCO staff, including United Nations Volunteers, may be invited to provide evidence of vaccination of all or part of the vaccines, although this is unlikely.All United Nations Volunteers must ensure that they are up to date with all appropriate vaccines, which should be clearly and correctly mentioned in the international vaccination certificate ( “yellow card” ). Malaria is present throughout the DRC, so it is recommended to take prophylaxis. Monetary unity is the Congolese franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange travel checks from the capital. Credit cards are generally accepted in Kinshasa. In large cities ( for example, Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani ), American banks may be absent ( including ATMs ) and VLA payments will be processed in cash.United Nations volunteers have the option of sending part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. Besides the DRC, namely lingala, kikongo, tshiluba and Swahili.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy