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 non-family (GOMA)
Task description:
Under the direct supervision of Chief, Rations Unit through the Rations Operations Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Examine, verify, and review the contract terms in respect of food rations items supplied by the contractors to ensure that they respect the contractual terms and conditions.
Receive authorized on-line requisitions for stores supplies or rations; verify the requisitions and issue in accordance with Sections’/Units’ monthly requirements; ensure that items are issued to requesting offices/Sections as per approved requisitions without delay.
Monitor shipments of incoming containers and inspect the rations on arrival, including accompanying documentation as required, i.e., health and safety certifications to conform to UN Standard.
Conduct regular inspections/site visits at contractor’s facility (warehouse & vehicles) to check cleanliness, validation and warranty of fresh, frozen, and dry items and subsequent submission of reports to Rations Operations 0fficer/Chief Rations Unit.
Conduct follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with directives/instructions given during previous inspections.
Conduct scheduled and unannounced inspections at all unit/contingent’s rations stores, reefers, kitchens, and dining halls to ensure compliance with ration management guidelines and procedures, hygienic and safety standards of both food handlers and equipment.
Conduct periodic inspections at sub-contracted local bakeries and suppliers to ascertain compliance with hygienic and quality standards of products provided to military units/contingents.
Assist food officers (contingents) in resolving rations quality complaints.
Participate in training programs, i.e., Electronic Rations Management System (ERMS), food seminars and food conferences for contingent’s food officers organized by Rations Unit or at the Sector level.
Provide suggestions and solutions on quality problems revealed and provide input to the reports.
Monitor the cold chain used by the contractor so that food is stored in acceptable conditions of storing; Perform other related functions as assigned by the Chief of Unit.
Results/Expected Outputs:
95 to 100 % Acceptable Performance Level (APL) maintained as specified in the mission contract.
Ensure Quality Assurance Surveillance Program (QASP) plan including all the supply chain including contingent facilities is submitted every month to mission level Rations office.
Contractor suppliers’ good hygiene practice assessed, and a sanitary standard operating procedure maintained for all facilities.
Customer complaint report/customer discrepancy report when required.
Follow up corrective actions is coordinated with the contractor’s Project Manager/Operations Manager.
Complaints from the clients are considered and resolved as per UN principles.
All QASP related activities are filed for audit purpose and future reference.
Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Requirements:
supporting food management and food-rations services in support of, or in a field operation is required.
Computer skills:
Proficient in various MS office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and the ability to generate ad hoc electronic documents, spreadsheets, and databases.
Language Requirements:
This position entails that the incumbent has good spoken and written communication skills in English and has basic French language skills. Further, s/he personally commits to take intensive French lessons from the beginning of his/her assignment. French classes are available at mission level through different means: at MONUSCO Training Centre (IMTC); online and through the UNV buddy scheme which is in place in DR Congo among UN Volunteers. A language test shall be conducted to assess progress and acquired competencies of French language during the course of the assignment (envisaged to take place 6 months into the assignment).
Competencies and values:
Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented.
Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender.
Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary.
Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Area(s) of expertise:
Product safety
Required education level:
Bachelor degree or equivalent
Other information: 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.
United Nations
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