Environment Officer

Mission and objectivesConcerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the deployment of a United Nations multidimensional stabilization peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA. The Mission is mandated to ensure the protection of civilians, support the peace process, including the implementation of the ceasefire and the APPR, facilitate the full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the protection of the United Nations. Its other tasks include the promotion and protection of human rights, assist the preparation and delivery of peaceful local elections, support the extension of State authority, the deployment of security forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity, security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes, and support for national and international justice, the fight against impunity, and the rule of law. MINUSCA has an authorized 14,400 military personnel and 3,020 police personnel, and 1,671 civilian personnel. See https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusca.

ContextAssignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July - 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work and travel anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

Task DescriptionUnder the supervision of the Director of Mission Support and the Chief of Environment Unit, the Environment Officer will be responsible for managing the Environmental activities in the sector of responsibility and for coordinating and managing actions on environmental and cultural issues in the mission, establishing, implementing, monitoring and revising as necessary the mission's Environmental Management System (EMS). The duties listed below are part and parcel of this task on the Mission's EMS: Policy and Guideline: • Support the Director of the Mission Support and the Chief Environment Unit in reviewing and/or development and implementation of the mission's environmental policy and Guideline (including directives, audit follow-up, Mission Environmental Action Plan, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.); • Conduct environmental assessments and surveys of operations in the mission, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA); • Liaise with Military at camps to assure recommended actions are completed. • Provide environmental support and guidance to clients within the mission. • Produce the mission's Environmental Baseline Study (EBS), if no such study has been done, or update existing EBS as necessary. • Implement the Environmental Action Plan in the sector of responsibility. • Produce the Environmental Emergency Preparedness Plan with relevant offices. • Oversees and monitor the execution of all environmental actions and preventives measures in the sector of responsibility. Environmental Action Planning and Performance (eAPP) - Implementation: • Lead, coordinate and monitor the implementation of the environmental Action Planning and Performance (eAPP) including data collection and reporting in sector of responsibility. • Conduct regular environmental inspections and risk assessment. • Maintain a record of environmental issues and actions thereon at the mission, including, for example, a list of potentially hazardous installations within the mission (e.g. petrol station, warehouse storing flammables) in cooperation with fire marshals or other staff at the mission designated to deal with emergencies. • Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, health hazards and other environment-related incidents. • Submit periodic reports on environmental issues at the mission, to the Chief Environment Unit including policy compliance status reports as required for DOS. • Recommend to the Chief Environment Unit to undertake such measures as may be required to prevent or mitigate environmental problems. • Advise relevant officers or offices on environmental issues arising from the assessments, studies and plans, including environmental information relevant to the operations of the mission. Awareness and Training: • Promote awareness on environmental issues. • Provide an environmental briefing to all mission personnel including police and military contingents during their induction training and as needed. • Conduct environmental training to all mission personnel. Coordination and Partner Relations: • Liaise on environmental issues with local authorities and the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies present in the country or region hosting the mission. • Carry out any other tasks required to support the DPO/DOS Environmental Policy for Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions and the environmental objectives of the mission as directed by the Director of Mission Support. Results/Expected Outputs: Successfully manage environmental performance in the Sector of responsibility as evidenced by measurable progress against the Mission’s Environmental Action Plan key performance indicators; and be an environmental champion and example to colleagues

Competencies and values• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; 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. • 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 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 communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts, and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; 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 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 remarksThe Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am. The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way. This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to 2,000+ USD with all commodities. A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well. Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases. The town of Kaga Bandoro (Sector Centre HQ) is located in the center of the country at 320 km from Bangui. The living conditions are similar to the ones prevailing in Bria. A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency. The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.