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

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. In its current context, the mission’s other task included support to the implementation of political agreement for peace and reconciliation negotiated in Khartoum and signed on 6 February 2019 between the Government and representatives of the 14 armed groups. According to United Nations Security Council Resolution S/RES/2448 (2018), the mission should also facilitate humanitarian assistance; promote and protect human rights; support justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes.

Task Description

Under the general supervision of the Director of Strategic Communication and Public Information Division (SCPI) and the direct supervision of the Chief Radio Unit, the UNV Radio Producer is responsible for generating news and content programs for the mission’s radio station. Within limits of delegated authority, he/she will be responsible for the following duties: – Research, write, produce and broadcast radio and multimedia news, feature/documentary programmes in French on the global activities of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA); – Provide raw audio material for daily and weekly radio productions; – Undertake research, interviewing, scriptwriting and technical production duties as necessary; – Conduct interviews, gather audio and other multimedia material, perform audio editing and management of sound files; – undertake digital editing and recording; – undertake travel assignments as and when required; Undertake relevant research in the Area of Responsibility and outside the UN in order to generate original materials and other actuality for programming; – Initiate based on local realities new radio projects and develop, write and record radio programmes, announcements, features and news segments for broadcast in domains such as politics, security, Rule of law and justice, Peace and reconciliation, news and current affairs, gender, youth and society; health, including mental health and counselling; business, commerce & economics , agriculture, Environment etc.… – Liaise with Community radios and non-governmental organizations regarding usage of radio programmes; – Contribute to programme identities, music themes, styles; – Undertake other daily production tasks such as assisting news broadcasters in the preparation of their daily news programs, editing news cuts and mixing weekly documentaries and daily features.

Competencies and values

Communication, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DR Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in particular in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried the country into a chaos. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon sea port situated 1500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 3 and 4 restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am. This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN hospital built is operational since August 2014. Only four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France (once 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. Staff in Bangui (MHQ) lives on local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to 2014 more accommodation is available but with high costs therefore sharing is recommended. Supermarkets having all variety of food and appliances are available but costlier than normal process. Also Level II Hospital run by military medical team is available next to the MHQ. Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme in Bangui has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations to a 6 weeks frequency. Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house according to the security measures can take about 4 weeks or more. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities. For the sake of rewarding experience, UN Volunteers in CAR carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.