Associate Civil Affairs Officer

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 are non-family (GOMA X2)

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Civil Affairs Planning and Reporting Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Reporting and Program Management • Contribute to the formulation of the Mission’s strategic provincial plan; identify emerging issues and analyse their implications; • Gather information and prepare analytical reports on the impact of political, social and economic issues on conflict dynamics at the local level and how these relate to the developments at the national level (and conversely), and impact on Mission mandate implementation; • Report on Civil Affairs activities carried out in support to and coordinated with local authorities, civilian institutions and NGOs; • Contribute to overall mission monitoring and planning as required; • Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports and communications, e.g. Security Council reports, draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, briefings, case studies, presentations; • Coordinate with Civil Affairs Pillar leads of Protection of Civilians (POC) and Stabilisation and Civil Affairs Coordinator in the field monitoring and evaluation of respective programmatic activities. • Act as a gender Focal Point for Civil Affairs Section in close collaboration with gender focal points in the field and MONUSCO Gender Office • Perform other related duties as may be required. Protection of Civilians • Support existing protection mechanisms at the local level in their reporting and analysis of key challenges to the protection of civilians as well as of early warnings of potential threats against civilians and of community conflicts. Formulate actionable recommendations for the good offices of Mission Leadership to help address these challenges and threats; • Contribute to the facilitation and support to dialogue between groups in conflict through the organisation of structured meetings, dialogue sessions and similar activities; • Provide support to initiatives that build the capacity of local authorities and civil servants; • Participate to Joint Assessment Missions and Joint Protection Teams, together with MONUSCO substantive sections, in support of protection of civilians and stabilisation activities. Coordination with Government/Civil Society/NGOs • Participate in the identification of new or emerging civil society issues and support the development of programs to address them; • Establish and maintain contacts with local interlocutors, including representatives of local authorities and communities, civil society actors, non-governmental organisations as well as representatives of local interest groups on protection of civilians and stabilization matters, in line with the Mission’s political engagement strategy; • Engage with and provide technical assistance and advice to civil society groups or institution that promotes a culture of peace and reconciliation, in support of the Mission’s protection priorities; • Provide support to events or activities (e.g. public fora, town hall meetings) to foster the development of political space at the local level, and in particular, dialogue and cooperation between local authorities and relevant interest groups; • Liaise, assist, coordinate and share information with local government and humanitarian/development actors active in the region to plan and coordinate peace consolidation and stabilisation development and assistance programmes.