Supply 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

Assignment is non-family (GOMA). Until 30 June 2027, with possible 12-months extension, this pending renewal of mandate

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, General Supply Unit a.i., the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Receives authorized online requisitions for stores' supplies from Chiefs of Section and Heads of Units; verifies requisitions in accordance with sections'/units' monthly requirements; - Ensures that supplies are issued to requesting offices/sections as per approved requisitions without delay. - Monitors stock of supplies in the stores; conducts regular stock-taking of expendable items in the supply stores; informs the supervisor of discrepancies observed and supplies which require stock replenishment in a timely manner. Ensures that items in the supply stores are arranged in an orderly manner and that supplies are issued to requestors before the expiration date of the products; - Assists in raising requisitions for services and items required by the supply stores; coordinates with offices and sections about the requests received. Provides updates on requisition status on a regular basis. - Assists the Receipt and Inspection Unit (R&I) in receiving and inspecting goods delivered by vendors and managed by the Supply Unit. Processes internal R&I reports for goods in the Supply Stores and forwards them to the R&I Unit for processing records of the goods in the system, and issues goods to end users according to established procedures. Updates and monitors stock cards for acquired products; - Participates in the acquisition and drafting of preliminary specifications for requirements; participates in the preparation of technical evaluation committees and presentations to the Local Committee on Contracts. - Assists in conducting periodic inventory of UN Non-Expendable Property and attractive Property managed by Supply Stores and updates records in the system by processing issue vouchers to individual end users of UN property for the purposes of transparency and accountability. - Prepares write-off requests for property that is lost, obsolete, or damaged. Receives technical evaluation reports from technicians on damaged property or property which has become obsolete and raises requests for write-off in the system to facilitate submission by the Claims Office. - Ensures that property approved for write-off and disposal is handed over to the Property Disposal Unit in a timely manner. Provides updates on the status of write-off requests regularly. - Assists in preparing a variety of monthly, yearly, and ad hoc inventory reports of the field mission's property. Maintains, updates, and ensures the accuracy and completeness of computer database recordings of requisition details, purchase orders, delivery, and other supply-related actions; monitors reports. - Familiarizes new staff with work requirements and applicable UN guidelines and office procedures; - Assists in budget projections by providing input for items and costs projected at a given time during the budget period and assists in the compilation of budget estimates; - Performs other duties as required.

Competencies and values

• Client orientation • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, were, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma. Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up to date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.