Property Control and Inventory Unit (PCIU) 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

The UN Volunteer will support the Property Control and Inventory Unit (PCIU) in managing and tracking UN asset, conducting inventory verifications, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with UN property management policies. The assignment contributes to strengthening asset accountability, improving inventory accuracy, and supporting efficient mission operations.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Property Control and Inventory Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Assists with planning and coordination of property control activities; • Monitors progress of current operations through statistical analysis of property records and submits weekly reports on ongoing activities; • Carries out physical verification of UN property; • Responsible for the maintenance of accurate and auditable records, in both hard and electronic formats, for the accountability of UN property; • Monitors and evaluates the overall process of property management by utilising established business intelligence tools; • Analyses the mission inventory management system to ensure anomalies are identified in discrepancy reports and addressed immediately; • Identifies issues and implements solutions to problematic areas related to property control; • Liaises with various property management counterparts on matters related to inventory control, receiving and inspection as well as write-off and disposal activities; • Drafts correspondence as required; • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, sets aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring, and formal and on-the-job training; • Any other related duties as may be requested.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism • Integrity • Communication • Teamwork • Respect for diversity and gender

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, where, 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.