Associate Civil Affairs Officer

Concerned 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 multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA). MINUSCA current uniformed personnel levels stand at 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and are tasked with the strategic objective of creating the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to sustainably reducing the presence of — and threat posed by — armed groups. See http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014.

(http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/).

Roles and responsibilities of Civil Affairs Officers depend on the mandate and situation on the ground, and tend to evolve over time during the mission life-cycle. Under the direct supervision of Chief Civil Affairs and his designated official in the Sector and/or Officer in Charge Civil Affairs (CA) and within delegated authority, the Associate Civil Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

- Provide representation of the Mission at the local level and ensures that all relevant governmental and non-governmental actors have accurate information about the mandate and full-range of operations of the Mission.
- Establish and maintain contact with representatives of local authorities, as well as civil society actors, non-governmental organizations, community representatives and representatives of local interest groups.
- Coordinate activities and initiative (across disciplines and components) with other team members to achieve consistency and synergy in mandate implementation.
- Undertake assessment of specific sectors with a view to identifying needs and priorities.
- Contribute to overall mission monitoring and planning.
- Assist in the organization of outreach activities to promote good relations and understanding between Mission’s actors and the population as well as to ensure accurate information dissemination on Mission’s role and mandate.
- Contribute to the design and management of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to foster confidence in the peace process and demonstrate peace dividends among the population.

Work closely with civil society groups or institutions that promote a culture of peace and reconciliation by organizing joint initiatives such as community events.