Training course on effective weapons and ammunition management in a changing DDR context

BACKGROUND
Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) processes have evolved significantly in today’s complex conflict landscapes due to the escalating challenges caused by well-equipped armed groups, and the illicit proliferation and misuse of weapons, ammunition, and
explosives. Against this backdrop, Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) has emerged as a pivotal component of DDR processes, directly addressing the immediate risks associated with the presence and circulation of these dangerous materials.

Since 2016, the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) have implemented a joint project on “Effective Weapons and Ammunition Management in a Changing Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Context”. This joint initiative provides expert resources and guidance, as well as training and technical assistance to support DDR practitioners in the design and implementation of tailored WAM activities linked to DDR processes – including DDR-related tools such as Transitional WAM and Community Violence Reduction (CVR) – in line with the most up-to-date arms control international standards and guidelines.

As part of this joint initiative, DPO and ODA, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC), have designed an annual training course on “Effective Weapons and Ammunition
Management in a changing Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration context” to support DDR practitioners to leverage WAM in increasingly complex DDR contexts.

This year, the training course will be delivered from 11 to 15 November 2024 and hosted by KAIPTC in Accra, Ghana.

OBJECTIVES
The objective is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to design, plan and implement innovative, effective and tailored WAM activities as part of DDR processes, in alignment with the latest international arms control standards and guidelines, namely the Modular Small-arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG). The training will also enable DDR practitioners and WAM experts to connect, network and share experiences, advice and guidance related to WAM in DDR contexts.

CONTENT
A centerpiece to this training is the United Nations Handbook for DDR Practitioners on Effective WAM in a Changing DDR Context (available also in Arabic, French, and Spanish), which draws upon the good practice of experts deployed in United Nations Peace Operations as well as the IATG, the MOSAIC and the Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS). Specific elements of the training course include:
a) Introduction to WAM in a DDR context
b) Introduction to the normative framework, including arms control regulation, WAM standards and guidelines and the new UN approach to DDR
c) Planning WAM activities in a DDR context
d) Disarmament as part of a DDR programme
e) Transitional WAM and DDR Support to Mediation, Pre-DDR, DDR support to Transitional Security Arrangements, Community Violence Reduction (CVR)
f) WAM in DDR Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
g) Cross Technical Guidelines (handling, registering, marking, storage and disposal), including practical exercises.

METHODOLOGY
The training course is a blended training experience which comprises a preparatory self-paced online course (to be completed on a voluntary basis) followed by a 5-day in person training. The training is designed to be scenario-based to allow participants to practice the knowledge, skills and approaches acquired. Participants will be required to actively engage during the entirety of the course, including through sharing experiences and lessons learned, reflecting on different aspects of WAM, working in groups, and presenting on selected topics. The training course will be conducted in English. No interpretation will be provided. Participants who complete the online training will gain a deeper understanding of the course material, which will enhance their ability to actively contribute during the in-person sessions.

Virtual meeting
A two-hour virtual meeting will be held prior to the in-person training course. The meeting will:

• Initiate introductions between participants to the in-person training
• Disseminate information on travel and logistical arrangements
• Establish an initial platform for contact between participants.

Face-to-Face training component
The 5-day in-person participatory training will be held from 11 to 15 November 2024.
It includes theoretical injects, group discussions as well as practical sessions.

WHO SHOULD APPLY
Candidates should have substantive knowledge and experience in DDR and/or WAM to participate in the training course. In the past, course participants included DDR practitioners and WAM experts from various UN entities, regional organizations, national authorities and non-governmental organizations. The application of female practitioners involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of DDR and/or WAM operations as well as applications from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged.

LOGISTICS
The training will take place in Accra, Ghana, from 11 to 15 November 2024. Entities are asked to cover the travel of participants to and from Accra, and any further daily subsistence allowance. The training course, accommodation and meals will be provided to participants at no cost. Interested candidates are requested to apply by using the application form and submit a CV/resume by Monday 16 September 2024 at the latest to Ms. Gesa Himmelstoss (gesa.himmelstoss@un.org) copy Ms. Chahrazade Housni (chahrazade.housni@un.org) and Mr. Marc Schibli (schibli@un.org). A limited number of places are available for this training; successful applicants will be contacted by the organizers after the deadline.

The above information is also outlined in the official course invitation.