UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT

Transcription

1 UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT Preamble: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive. 1. UNV Assignment Title: Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist 2. Type of Assignment: International UN Volunteer 3. Project Title: UNV Support to enhancing capacity of United Nations Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience in South and East Asia and Pacific 4. Duration: 18 month contract 5. Location, Country: Multiple duty stations (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand) 6. Expected Starting Date: asap 7. Brief Project Description: UNV Strategic Framework (SF) articulates the scope and dimensions of UNV s strategic direction, results and associated resource requirements over a four-year period. Based on the global context outlined in the SF and UNV s expanded mandate, track record and expertise, UNV will intentionally direct its efforts and programme resources into five priority areas where volunteerism has a transformational and cumulative impact on the lives of people: (i) basic social services; (ii) community resilience for environment and disaster risk reduction; (iii) peace-building and peacekeeping; (iv) youth; and (v) national capacity development through volunteer schemes. The present regional project aims to support the United Nations Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience in South-East Asia and Pacific through volunteerism in a number of countries that were affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in The scope of the regional project is to allow the organisation to deliver its results in community resilience for environment and disaster risk reduction, in accordance with the individual requirements of programme countries and partners, by supporting up to six UN Resident Coordinators, their offices and UNCTs, with one international and, wherever feasible, one national UN Volunteer specialists in DRR, as well as establishing a results and resources framework to guide regional and country-specific initiatives in support of national/regional efforts and UN engagement in disaster risk reduction. 8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP/UNV Office, Colombo 9. Organizational Context:

2 The Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country. The RC system aims to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. Resident Coordinators, who are funded and managed by UNDP, lead UN country teams in more than 130 countries and are the designated representatives of the Secretary-General for development operations. Working closely with national governments, Resident Coordinators and country teams advocate the interests and mandates of the UN system while drawing on the support and guidance of the entire UN family. Coordinating development operations promotes more strategic support for national plans and priorities, makes operations more efficient and reduces transaction costs for governments. This helps the UN to be a more relevant and reliable partner for governments. The United Nations Volunteers programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. 10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family 11. Description of tasks: The UN Volunteer will be housed within the framework of Pillar 4 of the UNDAF which focuses on Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and will have a matrixed reporting maintained with the Pillar 4 Chair and UNDP respectively. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Technical assistance: Work closely with national DRR/HFA Focal Points in the country to assist national and local institutions and international partners to develop common visions, plans and programmes for addressing disaster and climate risk within multi-sectoral and sectoral sustainable development strategies; Provide guidance on a set of standards and methods for comprehensive disaster risk assessment and information-sharing in the context of the post-2015 development agenda discussions and post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (HFA2) for countries and partners; Work on ensuring that disaster risk reduction is a key component of the post-2015 development agenda supported by a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction; Assist in preparations for the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) to be held in Sendai, Japan in March 2105, including the identification and consultation with UN and national partners; holding of preparatory briefing and coordination sessions; preparation of presentations and policy papers; soliciting feed-back on Global Platform outcome documents; reporting and similar. Support activities related to UNV s global programme on community resilience for environment and disaster risk reduction Assist with organizing workshops, conferences, and meetings as required Assist with the preparation of regular activity and progress reports, as well as the preparation of articles and stories for dissemination in regional and global publications of UNV and its partners. As relevant, collaboration with ISDR, BCPR, OCHA and other partners, providing technical advice on issues relating to community resilience for environment and disaster risk reduction.

3 Promotion of volunteerism: Promote the integration of disaster risk reduction and the role of volunteerism in this area in Common Country Assessments (CCA), UN Development Assistance Frameworks and partnerships (such as UNDAFs and UNPAFs and agency cooperation strategies with countries), and recovery plans as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing factors that undermine communities and countries resilience, including climate risk, environmental sustainability and social inequalities and exclusion; Work on ensuring that the role of volunteerism and volunteers is recognized as an important component of the post-2015 development agenda supported by a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Identify interlinkages between women, youth, people with disabilities and marginalized people voluntary actions on disaster risk reduction and its contribution to build resilience communities Give visibility to women, youth, people with disabilities and marginalized people contributions through civil engagement to demonstrate their strategic role and contribution to DRR and response to disasters. Promote women, youth, people with disabilities and marginalized people volunteering through civic engagement in order to have a multiplier effect, expanding participation and involving larger numbers of people who have traditionally been excluded. Advocacy and partnerships building: Foster partnerships for disaster risk reduction primarily by working with key national partners. Advocacy for the inclusion of disaster risk reduction at policy and decision-making levels when supporting country and regional efforts to mainstream disaster risk reduction into development planning and budgetary processes; Linking national disaster risk management policy for a greater recognition of the specific challenges and potential of the country at the international level; Supporting the documentation and exchange of lessons learned and good practices in HFA implementation at the national level as appropriate; Build awareness of disaster reduction benefits and the importance of reducing community vulnerability through targeted advocacy campaigns and the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction Review and prepare background and research papers on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and volunteerism Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities; Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers if required; Promote and advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, and encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service when desired. 12. Results/Expected Output:

4 Timely and effective implementation of all project activities in the COUNTRY XXXX. Contribute to the long term sustainability of project interventions. Capacity building of government counterparts and local communities. Development of knowledge products and policy recommendations. Organizational support for the celebrations of the International Day for Disaster Reduction Engagement of a wide cross section of stakeholders in disaster risk management initiatives supported by UNV, especially when organizing the International Day for Disaster Reduction and the International Volunteers Day. Articles on work experience and work plan activities for submission to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed. 13. Qualifications/Requirements: A university degree (preferably advanced) related to Social Science, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, International Relations, Urban planning or any related areas. At least three years of relevant working experience in a disaster related field such as agriculture and rural development, water resources management, poverty reduction, environment, emergency management, and with demonstrated interests in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Experience of working with UN organizations, Government Agencies and civil society organizations, especially in the area of disaster risk reduction is an added advantage; knowledge of UN system and procedures strongly preferred. Fluency in English. Competencies: Experience working using participatory approaches, is an advantage; Excellent communication skills and ability to draft clearly and succinctly in English; Detail-oriented and excellent at multi-tasking; High degree of independence, creativity and ability to motivate; Good command of MS Office; Ability to work on multiple tasks and against tight deadlines; Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities; Excellent communication and problem management skills; A proactive, participatory and result oriented approach to their work; Commitment to Knowledge Sharing/Continuous Learning. 14. Living Conditions: Information will be provided as per country of assignment. 15. Conditions of Service A 18 month contract; monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) intended to cover basic needs, accommodation and utilities. In addition, the UN Volunteer will receive a settling in grant (if applicable); life, health and permanent disability insurance; return airfare (if applicable); resettlement allowance of USD 150 per month of satisfactory service. All UN Volunteers follow the Conditions of Service for international UN Volunteers.

5 Description of Assignment prepared by: Rafael Martinez, UNV Portfolio Manager Date: 28/06/2014 Description of Assignment approved by: Allen Jennings, UNV Chief Development Programming Section Date: 28/06/ If you have not yet registered in the UNV database, please apply by registering your profile at: Important: Please select the following code from the drop down menu on the first page of the registration form: 14SRE_SRLR654. If you are registered in the UNV database, please update your profile at: click on the Special Recruitment option on the left menu, then click on the Edit button and select the advertisement code 14SRE_SRLR654This assignment is funded by the Government of Finland, therefore only Finnish nationals are eligible to apply. The United Nations Volunteers Programme is committed to ensuring gender equity among UN Volunteers and welcomes applications from women. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism. UNV is inspired by the conviction that volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and by the idea that everyone can contribute their time and energy towards peace and development. With partners, UNV advocates for volunteerism, integrates volunteerism into development planning and mobilizes volunteers. The enormous potential of volunteerism is an inspiration to UNV and to volunteers around.