Teenistuse korraldamine

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Finnish Defence Forces International Centre

Date 7 JAN 2025

Action Officer MAJ Vesa Juntunen FINCENT P.O. Box 7 FI-00861 HELSINKI FINLAND [email protected]

Invitation to apply for the United Nations Military Observer Course (UNMOC)

19 May – 06 June 2025

1 Introduction and Background

Since the year 1969, the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre (FINCENT) has conducted 131 United Nations Military Observer Courses (UNMOC) with almost 5400 officers from 101 different countries. These UNMOCs have been conducted under the auspices of NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation) giving reserved slots to Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

In the course of time, both the nature of conflicts and the training needs for the UNMOC have evolved considerably. The UNMOC is under constant development, as the UNMOC Instructor Team positions under NORDEFCO rotate regularly bringing in fresh mission experience.

2 Course content The course content derives from the Core Pre-deployment Training Materials and Specialized Training Materials on United Nations Military Observers as described in DPKO Guidelines on United Nations Military Observers (UNMO) in Peacekeeping Operations. The UNMOC was recently re-certified by the United Nations Department of Peace Operations. A Certificate of Training Recognition is a guarantee that the course meets all of the UN Peacekeeping Training Standards.

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2.1 Aim of the course

The aim of the course is to prepare Military Officers for service as UN Military Observers in any ongoing or future United Nations Peace Keeping Operations (UNPKO).

2.2 Course Duration

Prior to the course students have to accomplish pre-course self-studies. The duration of the pre-course self-studies is approximately 1 day. The duration of the residential phase is 19 days.

2.3 Learning Objectives

The training objective of the UNMOC is to prepare the participants for duties in a peacekeeping operation so that they can:

- monitor the situation in compliance with military agreements in the Area of Operations by conducting static and mobile observations and inspections as a part of a multinational observer team.

- verify the observations and possible allegations of agreements in the Area of Operations with the supervision of a senior UNMO.

- conduct various meetings with language assistance in order to resolve disputes in the Area of Operation integrating the gender perspective into the execution of tasks individually as a part of a multinational team.

- communicate safely in writing or orally with the different actors in the mission area for information sharing individually and/or with the supervision of a senior UNMO.

- handle the information collected from different sources individually and/or with the supervision of a senior UNMO in order to forward it to the mission to be analysed and produced as intelligence.

- drive a 4x4 vehicle in challenging conditions and perform the daily maintenance and self-recovery of the vehicle.

- handle the nationally provided personal equipment and team-site-provided equipment in order to perform the tasks effectively in all conditions.

- conduct basic-level emergency first aid and stress management with mission-provided equipment individually in all conditions.

- serve as a United Nations Military Observer in UN Peace Operations according to guidelines and standards given by the UNDPO.

2.4 Scenario based course

The UNMOC is based on a simulation of a real field mission with students arriving at the mission Headquarters for in-checking and induction training during the first course week. During the second course week, the students deploy to sectors/team sites for continued induction training for newcomers. Finally, during the third course week, the students are deployed as military observers (MILOBs) to their respective areas of responsibility conducting various tasks where their newly acquired skills are tested and evaluated. During

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the weekends, the students are familiarised with the local culture by short trips in Finland. The UNMOC follows a fictitious training scenario of a multi-dimensional integrated UN mission concept where the situation develops continuously in accordance with daily morning briefings, daily situation reports, meetings and incidents in the practical exercises.

3 Course specifics

3.1 Student Criteria

UNMOC student candidate requirements: - a nationally trained officer with more than five years of working experience

as an officer (OF-2 to OF-5) or a nationally trained female warrant officer or lieutenant with a working experience in excess of five years.

- Language proficiency: Working level English language skills. Language testing is a national responsibility. Neither language training nor translation will be provided during the course.

- Possession of a valid driver’s license for a manually driven 4x4 vehicle. - Physically and mentally fit. - Basic computer skills.

The working language during the course is English. No interpretation is provided by FINCENT. Nations applying for more than one slot on the course are requested to indicate a prioritisation of their applicants. This prioritisation has to be done in order to facilitate the selection process. If a nation is interested in sending a student to the course, but has not named a nominee yet, the nation can forward an application and request a preliminary seat on the course in order to get the selection process started.

3.2 Security classification

The overall classification of the course is UNCLASSIFIED. 3.3 Passport and Visa Requirement

All non-Finns are required to have a valid passport to enter the Finnish Defence Forces premises and garrison area. Requests for Visits are not required for the course. Participants, or their national authorities, are responsible for visa arrangements (if needed). Participants are advised to contact, well in advance, proper diplomatic agencies for up-to-date information. It is the individual’s responsibility to apply for and obtain their visa and to have the proper travel documentation.

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If necessary, FINCENT can provide a visa support letter by request. Please note that you have to apply for the Visa in the nearest Finnish Embassy, even if it is situated in another country. Please see the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ website for more information: www.formin.fi

4 Applications

4.1 Applying schedule and links

All course applications have to be filled out through our online system. The application form for UNMOC 2025 (19MAY – 06JUNE25):

• https://www.lyyti.in/UNMOC-2025

• The application link will be open from 01 January to 07 April 2025.

4.2 Documents for applying

For all non-EU or non-NORDEFCO applicants, it is compulsory to provide also three (3) additional files attached to the application. All files have to be in PDF, JPEG or TIF format. 1. Firstly, the sending organization has to write an official request letter using

the organization’s formal style document including a stamp. The letter should include the reason for the application, an explanation of the expected benefit for the student and the sending organization, rank the students in order of preference (if more than one is applying) and whether a subsidy is requested. If a subsidy is requested, the letter has to explain in detail what is required.

2. Secondly, the application has to be accompanied with a scanned colour

copy of the applicant's passport. The passport pages have to contain the picture, full name, nationality, date of birth, passport number and passport expiry date. When filling out the application form, write your name exactly as it is written in your passport.

3. Thirdly, the application has to be accompanied with a certificate of the

applicant’s health insurance and/or travel coverage. It is compulsory to fill out all questions marked (*) in the form. These include also the required files from all non-EU applicants. Please make sure that you have all the needed information and files with you when you start filling out the application.

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If a nation or organization wants to apply for more than one seat, all online applications have to be completed separately. All documents have to be written in English! Please do not attach any letters or other documents in other languages as they will be disregarded.

4.3 Participants selection

The application form should be filled out for UNMOC by 07 April 2025. Two weeks after the application period has ended, FINCENT will inform the applicant(s) whether or not they have been selected to the course. FINCENT will send the participants a course confirmation letter with detailed information well before the course. Course seats have been allocated in advance between the NORDEFCO countries.

5 Administration

5.1 Course fee

Students are charged a course fee of 2700€. The course fee includes accommodation (65€/day), meals (20€/day), training, training material and welfare programme arranged by FINCENT (65€/day). Students from Finland are exempt from paying the course fee and they receive the lodging, meals, training, training material and welfare programme arranged by FINCENT free of charge. All course fees must be paid in cash (Euros) or by a credit card (Visa, Visa Electron, Maestro or Master Card) at FINCENT when the course begins. Invoices are used according to agreements between Finland and the respective nations (Nordic and EU countries only).

5.2 Student subsidies

Female military officers and NCOs are highly encouraged to request a subsidy. Subsidies are not usually granted for EU students. Subsidized student places are available for nations only upon a special request by the nominating nation. Whether a subsidy is granted or not is decided on a case-by-case basis by FINCENT. The decision will be announced to the selected students in the course confirmation letter. Please note that even if a subsidy is granted, the subsidy will not include any salaries, daily allowances, visa application fees, insurances or anything extra that is not part of this course.

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5.3 Accommodation

Accommodation for the students is provided in Santahamina, Helsinki at FINCENT premises (Santahamina Building) and during the field exercises in Niinisalo at Camp President and Patrol Base 92 team sites. The daily meals (3 meals/day) are served according to the course programme at the dining hall in Santahamina on the National Defence University campus and the Course building or at the team sites in Niinisalo.

5.4 Transportation

Transportation to and from Helsinki airport will be offered according to a fixed timetable.

5.5 Social events

FINCENT will host an Ice Breaker event in the first evening and a Closing Dinner in the last evening of the course. Addition to this, FINCENT will organize social events during the weekends. Dress codes will be instructed in the course confirmation letter.

6 General and contact

The course confirmation letter will include general information concerning travel arrangements, accommodations, clothing, programme, pre-course material etc. For further detailed information, please contact FINCENT. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +358 299 540 311 (Course Secretary) FINCENT / Course Admin P.O. BOX 7, FI-00861 Helsinki, Finland

WELCOME to the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre!

Esapekka Vehkaoja

Colonel

FINCENT Commandant