Ammunition Technical Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

Under Resolution 2677 (2023), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2024. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance as well as free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes: (a) Protection of civilians (b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance (c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process (d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers. Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.

Context

UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has been renewed through resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2155 (2014), 2187 (2014), 2223 (2015), 2241 (Dec. 2015), 2304 (2016) and 2327 (2016), 2392 (Dec. 2017), 2406 (Mar. 2018), 2459 (Mar. 2019), 2514 (Mar. 2020), 2567 (Mar. 2021), 2625 (Mar. 2022), 2677 (Mar 2023). The DPO/DPPA/DOS/DSS Policy on Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM), dated 1 January 2019, tasked the mission leadership to strengthen its WAM across all UNMISS sites by drawing on technical expertise in ammunition management. An ammunition incident on 3 September 2019 in one of the military units in UNMISS highlighted the potential for grave consequences due to inappropriate ammunition management practices. That incident and requirement to apply the policy guidance led to the decision of the mission leadership to consolidate the WAM functions under a single staff structure through the establishment of a Weapons and Ammunition Management Unit (WAMU). WAMU is an integral part of the Mission Support Center (MSC) and is responsible for the management of all weapons and ammunition, COE and UNOE, deployed in the mission. A UN Volunteer post is envisioned for WAMU. The UN Volunteer in WAMU will contribute to the effective management of logistics tasks related to WAM, under the direct supervision of the Chief WAMU or an assigned team leader.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Chief Weapon and Ammunition Management Unit (WAMU) or the assigned team leader, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Maintain up-to-date weapons and ammunition database. • Support weapons and ammunition arrival, operational readiness, spot-checks and repatriation inspections of deployed units and process inspection reports. • Process mission clearance for the deployment of weapons and ammunition in line with the United Nations Ammunition Manual and approved scales of operational use. • Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as directed. • Coordinate disposal of unserviceable ammunition throughout the mission area. • Draft briefing notes, point papers, and projects as directed. • Provide technical assistance and advice in connection to safety, storage, and maintenance standards of ammunition and explosives held by units. • Advice on all technical matters related to ammunition/explosives • Thematic information research and report processing • Coordinate risk assessments in connection with ammunition and explosives. • Support the development and implementation of the ammunition storage licensing system in line with IATG 02.30 ‘Licensing of Explosive Facilities’. • Support the work of the Weapons and Ammunition Advisory Board. • Provide advice on weapons and ammunition-related safety issues. • Perform other duties as directed by Chief WAMU.