Logistic Officer

Details:
Mission and objectives:
Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA). MINUSCA current uniformed personnel levels stand at 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and are tasked with the strategic objective of creating the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to sustainably reducing the presence of — and threat posed by — armed groups. See http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/.
Context:
Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014.
Task description:
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Administrative Officer and the Head of Office, the UNV Logistics Officer is responsible for the following duties:
– Prepare logistics and support plans, deployment for planned or new operations;
– Develop logistical plans for existing operations; Develop logistics contingency plans;
– Develop and implement methodologies and tools to enable effective execution of logistic plans; Coordinate logistics support to regional office in the area of responsibility;
– Maintain up-to-date records of all the main logistics stocks, such as water, fuel (Jet A1 and diesel), meals-ready-to-eat (MREs), air support, vehicles, communication equipment, generators and engineering equipment;
– Report daily through the Log Ops Office in Bangui on the logistics status and/or immediate problems;
– Consolidate fuel stock reports and follow up on fuel consumption; inform the Regional Administrative Officer of any foreseeable fuel shortage to forward requests to Fuel Unit in Bangui; Coordinate logistics activities with procurement, finance, humanitarian affairs and other substantive units;
– Develop and implement logistics support policy, procedures and methodologies to the common benefit of all mission units;
– Prepare reports on personnel and material movements and other operational logistics issues; Participate in technical survey missions for new missions and pre-deployment verification visits to troop contributing countries;
– Identify, plan and manage special logistics operations; Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.
– Prepare logistics preparedness reviews.
– Coordinate logistics operations with UN agencies, UN military, UN police and other organizations upon request.
Requirements:
managing diverse logistics operations in Military/ Police, commercial or international organizations.
Competencies and values:
Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; 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. • 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 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 communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; 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 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. Communication, Professionalism, Working in Teams Adaptability and Flexibility, Planning and Organizing,
Area(s) of expertise:

Logistics and Inventory

Logistics and Inventory

Required education level:
Bachelor degree or equivalent
Other information: Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DR Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in particular in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried the country into a chaos.
The country is totally dependent on Cameroon sea port situated 1500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 3 and 4 restricting movement to official travel only.
Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.
This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN hospital built is operational since August 2014.
Only four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France (once 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.
Staff in Bangui (MHQ) lives on local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to 2014 more accommodation is available but with high costs therefore sharing is recommended. Supermarkets having all variety of food and appliances are available but costlier than normal process. Also Level II Hospital run by military medical team is available next to the MHQ.
Ndele (Sector West HQ) is located in western CAR, approximately 500 Km from Bangui (capital city) where living conditions are quite acceptable. The local market is opened every day and well furnished with seasonal fruit and basic goods. Military Level I clinic exists but the mission has plan to provide better facility. MINUSCA has constructed tented camp for civilian personnel with air-conditioned and acceptable standards and prefabricated accommodation camps started in May 2016. Similarly installation of office prefabricated units also ongoing. There is catering services provided by a commercial entity on payment basis. The security situation is stable but an escort is needed for some distance.
Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme in Bangui has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations to a 6 weeks frequency. Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house according to the security measures can take about 4 weeks or more. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities.
For the sake of rewarding experience, UN Volunteers in CAR carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.

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