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

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) MONUSCO took over from an earlier UN peacekeeping operation – the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) – on 1 July 2010. It was done in accordance with Security Council resolution 1925 of 28 May to reflect the new phase. Between 2021 and 2025, the Mission entered a new phase characterized by a dual dynamic: continuing to carry out its core responsibilities—particularly the protection of civilians—while preparing for a gradual and responsible transition, in close coordination with the Congolese authorities and international partners. In 2025, the Mission operated in an increasingly complex environment marked by a renewed deterioration of the security situation in eastern DRC, including the capture of Goma by the M23, which significantly exacerbated the humanitarian and protection crisis in North Kivu. In this challenging context, MONUSCO continued adapting its posture to support civilian protection efforts, coordinate with national authorities and maintain engagement with international partners. This assignment will be based with MONUSCO in Entebbe (Uganda) Duty Station. More information: https://monusco.unmissions.org/en

Task Description

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Developing, updating, and implementing a mission list for pharmaceuticals and medical consumables, based on generic drugs produced according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. • Maintaining a system for ongoing inspections of drug safety in mission Level 1 Clinics. • Offering day-to-day advice on pharmaceutical issues. • Advising on the specification of pharmaceuticals to be requisitioned. • Offering a prudent scale of issue for the planning of re-supply. • Contributing to the facilitation of an unimpeded supply of pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, vaccines, condoms (male and female) and blood in the mission. • Monitoring the consumption of pharmaceuticals, laboratory reagents, medical and surgical consumables at the Level 1 Clinics. • Assisting the mission medical services team in the treatment and side effect monitoring. • Storing and record-keeping of stocks of pharmaceutical products across the mission. • Accounting for the applicable medical supplies and equipment according to recommended guidelines. • Participating in logistics operations pertaining to the management of expired supplies and redistribution of medical supplies within the mission area. • Carrying out relevant and regular reporting on demand by the Head Pharmacist. • Performing other related duties as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and external publications and take an active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day (IVD); • Be cognizant of the United Nations as an organization and be familiar with the concept and workings of peacekeeping/peacebuilding; • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups, or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site; • Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible; • Encourage, mobilize, and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers, and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis; • Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans; • Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN Volunteers.

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.

Living conditions and remarks

Living conditions and remarks As Uganda’s main international airport is located in Entebbe, it serves as the primary entry point for international travellers. It offers direct connections to and from major global and regional destinations, including Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, Brussels, Cairo, Dar es Salaam, Dubai, Johannesburg, Juba, Kigali, Kinshasa, London, Nairobi, and others. Entebbe International Airport is connected to Kampala via the modern Entebbe–Kampala Expressway, which significantly reduces travel time between the airport and the capital. Entebbe and Kampala are currently classified under UN Security Level III (moderate), reflecting a stable but cautious operating environment requiring adherence to standard security risk management measures. This level indicates that while the overall environment is permissive for operations, personnel should remain vigilant and comply with security advisories. The Security Management Team (SMT), along with other entities within the UN security management system (such as wardens), meets regularly to monitor the security situation and ensure preparedness. The Security Section, in coordination with the Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), provides regular updates and conducts mandatory security briefings for newly arrived personnel, including updates on political, social, and operational developments. Movement advisories (e.g. on night travel along certain routes) may be issued periodically based on risk assessments. A Level 1 clinic is available at the United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe, and several UN-approved private hospitals are located in Kampala. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for entry into Uganda, including yellow fever. While verification at the airport is not always consistently enforced, travellers may still be required to present proof of vaccination upon arrival. All UN personnel must therefore ensure that vaccinations are up to date and properly documented in the International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card). Entebbe is designated as a family duty station for UN personnel. International schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational amenities are available in Kampala and, to a lesser extent, in Entebbe. Markets and supermarkets are also readily accessible. Multiple mobile network providers operate across Uganda, and SIM cards and airtime are widely available. UN personnel have access to office internet and telephone services, including the option to make personal calls using a PIN-based system on a cost-recovery basis. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) supporting major international bank cards are available in both Entebbe and Kampala. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.