Receiving & Inspection Assistant

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

MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Entebbe Receiving and Inspection (R&I) Unit Team Leader, the duties of the R&I Assistant will include, but are not limited to, the task descriptions below, among others:

• Liaise and monitor with MOVCON/Inbound coordinators on a daily basis for delivery alerts. Subsequently, advise the Integrated Warehouses (IWs) on resource requirements such as manpower, Material Handling Equipment (MHE) needs, and space allocation and utilization in the warehouses;
• Advise IWs of incoming cargo for preparation of resources such as personnel for unloading and MHE required, to ensure availability of space in the warehouse;
• Conduct Receiving and Inspection (R&I ) process for all incoming shipments, whether locally procured, by the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), donation, or transfer from other missions; organize bar coding of newly procured assets and attractive items in accordance with Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO ) procedures and guidelines for control of United Nations (UN) owned property and the inventory control system.
• Enter newly procured goods into UMOJA by processing Goods Receipts.
• Submit regular reports for a continuous overview of supply chain operations including volumes and values of incoming goods;
• Develop and maintain transaction history files of assets using both manual and automated tools such as Business Data Analytics reporting tools and SAP/UMOJA.
• When overseeing the work of national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs), the Volunteer is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring, formal, and on-the-job training;
• Perform any other related tasks as required by the supervisor.

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

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 is a family duty station and serves as the logistical and administrative support hub for MONUSCO. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, it offers a safe and comfortable living environment with good-quality accommodation, reliable electricity and water, supermarkets, banks, restaurants, medical facilities, and internet services. Rental costs are moderate by international standards, while imported goods may be relatively expensive. 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. Entebbe enjoys a mild tropical climate year-round and provides a high standard of living compared with most MONUSCO field locations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.