Political Affairs Assistant, Kinshasa

General

Description of assignment title

Political Affairs Assistant

Assignment country

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Duty stations

Kinshasa

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

12/12/2026

Expected end date

06/30/2027

Sustainable Development Goal

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity

MONUSCO

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

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

This position is located in the Advisory and Coordination (AC) section of the Political Affairs Division in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The incumbent reports to the chief of Advisory and Coordination section. The position is available until 30 June 2027, with possibility of extension depending on the availability of funds and satisfactory of performance.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Section, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Gather, select, verify and analyze information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including internal mission reports and the press;
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge relating to political issues in general in the DR Congo, and in particular as they affect national political dynamics;
• Keep abreast of latest trends and developments in the area of assignment and provide updates and inputs on issues to senior officials and colleagues in the Mission;
• Monitor national political developments and maintain contact with colleagues in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, and provide advice to the Mission;
• Provide technical and substantive support for the implementation of the mandate of the Political Affairs Division in Mission HQ;
• Maintain contacts and participate in coordination with other components of the Mission, UN entities in Kinshasa, peacebuilding organizations and government authorities on political and security issues, coordination and policy matters;
• Maintain regular contact with all relevant local political actors and civil society groups;
• Assist in compiling and producing daily reports, weekly analysis, and other written reports as directed by the Head of Section;
• Assist with the preparation of internal and external meetings chaired by or attended by the Director of the Political Affairs Section;
• Coordinate preparations for special visits and support visiting delegations as required;
• Assist the Head of Political Affairs Section in conflict resolution or crisis management initiatives, notably by information gathering and analysis;
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations, briefings and other information packages for senior officials as directed by Head of Section;
• Conduct field mission in Ituri and North Kivu as required by the Director of the Political Affairs Division;
• Any other related duties as may be required.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• French, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master's degree in Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) degree in political science, international relations, law, public administration, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Planning and organizing

Skills and experience

Analysis, Coordination, Reporting, Advising,

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, advocacy, public information, Governance, elections, Legal affairs

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

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.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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