Fire Marshal Assistant

Host entity: MONUSCO

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Transport, movement, travel

Application deadline: 25/09/2026

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.

Assignment context

Provide timely, effective, and coordinated firefighting and rescue operational support to the mission and the surrounding community whenever required

Task description

The Fire Fighter supports MONUSCO aviation operations by ensuring fire safety on the airfield, responding rapidly to aircraft emergencies, conducting fire prevention inspections, operating firefighting vehicles and equipment, and assisting in rescue operations to protect personnel, aircraft, and mission assets.

• Conduct Emergency Crash Rescue (ECR) operations, emergency plans, and lead a firefighting team.
• Supervise fire crew and shift activities for the daily operations of the firefighting cell.
• Conduct routine fire prevention and airfield safety inspections, identify hazards and recommend corrective measures.
• Provide guidance and supervision in training, inspections, and maintenance to ensure personnel and equipment maintain a high state of firefighting readiness and the ability to interpret and enforce fire prevention codes.
• Monitor daily ECR availability at MONUSCO airfields against ICAO category requirements and immediately report variances.
• Communicate with the public, workers, and other emergency personnel.
• Monitor all aircraft start-ups.
• Monitor refueling and defueling operations.
• Conduct inventories and annual physical checks of relevant aviation firefighting equipment.
• Maintain records and prepare reports on ECR readiness, inspections, training, equipment status, exercises, and incidents.
• Perform other duties as required.

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation and reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain;
• Sound security awareness.

Skills and experience

5 years of experience in:
- Conducting inspections of firefighting equipment to ensure operational readiness.
- Responding to fire emergencies and support incident operations as required.
- Driving and operating fire trucks during emergency response operations.
- Supporting emergency responses, assisting in fire prevention checks, using basic firefighting equipment, and helping with evacuations and safety procedures.

Competencies and values

• Adaptability and flexibility
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism

Living conditions

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.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.