Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

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/.

Context

Part of MINUSCA’s mandate (see https://minusca.unmissions.org/en/mandate) relates to Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration (DDR) and Repatriation (DDRR), including cantonment, as follows:
– To support the CAR authorities in implementing an inclusive, gender-sensitive and progressive programme for the DDR and, in case of foreign elements, repatriation, of members of armed groups, and, as appropriate, and in consultation and coordination with international partners, support possible, temporary, voluntary cantonment sites in support of community-based socioeconomic reintegration.
– To support the CAR authorities and relevant civil society organizations in developing and implementing CVR programmes, including gender-sensitive programmes, for members of armed groups including those not eligible for participation in the national DDRR programme, in cooperation with development partners and together with communities of return in line with the priorities highlighted in the RCPCA.
– To provide technical assistance to the CAR authorities in implementing a national plan for the integration of eligible demobilized members of armed groups into the security and defense forces, in line with the broader SSR process, the need to put in place professional, ethnically representative and regionally balanced national security and defense, and to provide technical advice to the CAR authorities in accelerating the implementation of the interim security arrangements provided for in the APPR, following vetting, disarmament, demobilization and training;
– To coordinate the support provided by multilateral and bilateral partners, including the World Bank and the Peacebuilding Commission, to the efforts of the CAR authorities on DDRR programs to reintegrate eligible and vetted members of the armed groups into peaceful civilian life and to help ensure that these efforts will lead to sustainable socioeconomic reintegration.
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Assignment 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.
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Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of a DDR team leader, the UN Volunteer Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Repatriation (DDRR) Officer will perform the following duties and responsibilities:
· Participate in DDR and community violence reduction field operations.
· Contribute to research and analysis of information and the preparation of analytical papers.
· Contribute to briefings of military contingents, INGOs and partner agencies and the DDR training of MINUSCA personnel as necessary.
· Coordinate logistics arrangements for field missions and repatriation of ex-combatants.
· Organize interviews of ex-combatants and their dependents, as needed.
· Contribute to DDR sensitization and public information efforts.
· Participate in and facilitate information-gathering, monitoring and reporting on issues related to foreign armed groups and security in the area of responsibility.
· Assist team leader in the preparation of high-level visits.
· Perform other DDR-related tasks as requested by team leader.
· Assist Director, deputy Director and other DDR staff at MINUSCA headquarters or on special missions as required.
· When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training.
· Contribute to documenting Lessons Learned and Best Practices in DDR operations in the CAR.
· Perform other related duties as required by direct supervisor.