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: Field Officer 2. Type of Assignment: National UN Volunteer 3. Project Title: Fast Tracking Millennium Development Goals and Safeguarding Development Gains (MDGTFI) 4. Duration: 12 months 5. Location, Country: Sindhu khola, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal 6. Expected Starting Date: 13 th April 2015 7. Brief Project Description: Nepal has made significant strides towards achieving its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets by 2015. But the country still faces daunting challenges in key area such as poverty and hunger reduction and environmental sustainability. Achievements in these areas are strongly connected with vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards. People living in rural areas are not only more likely to be poorer and have less adequate nutrition, but they are also more vulnerable to climate change as a result of their high dependence on natural resources for livelihoods. This vulnerability to climate induced and natural hazards has the potential to significantly setback development gains with the most serious impacts on the poorest and most marginalized members of society. Deterioration of the environment has contributed to chronic rural poverty and migration to urban areas, as well as heavy out-migration. Realizing this, the Fast Tracking Millennium Development Goals and Safeguarding Development Gains Initiative (MDGTFI) funded by Republic of Korea (RoK)-UNDP MDG Trust Fund is running for the timeframe of 2 years (May 2014 to April 2016). The Initiative s overall objective is to accelerate sustainable achievement of MDG target 1 (Poverty and Hunger Reduction) and 7 (Environmental Sustainability) among high risk marginalized communities of two sub-watershed, Riu Khola (Chitwan) and Sindhu Khola (Shinchupalchowk).The Initiative will promote an integrated approach of watershed management for sustainable use of natural resources and thereby reduce poverty and hunger. Key results of the project include:
Sustainably increase incomes and food security in high-risk households in Maadi Municipality (former 4 VDCs namely Aayodhyapuri, Kalyanpur, Baghauda and Gardi) and 3 VDCs (Bhotechaur, Hibung and Thakani) and 4 Wards in Melamchi Municipality (former Sindhukot and Bansbari VDCs) in 2 selected sub-watersheds currently facing environment degradation and at high risk from natural hazards. Sustain and increase the percentage of land covered by forests and wetlands in target areas through the use of proven environmentally sustainable practices to contribute to livelihood improvement of poor and vulnerable communities. Promote active knowledge exchange between Korean experts, UN agencies and Government departments to fast track action on MDG Target 7 to Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources 8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP Nepal 9. Organizational Context: The Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme (CDRMP) has been formulated as part of the Strategic Partnership Framework signed between the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) (former Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal, and in accordance with the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium. The programme aims to strengthen the institutional and legislative aspects of DRM in Nepal, by building the capacities of Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), other ministries, and local government agencies. The CDRMP will also establish strategic linkages between DRM and development sectors. The programme s intervention in the area of Climate Risk Management (CRM), Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), and emergency preparedness and response plans to strengthen the overall system of disaster risk management in Nepal. It integrates gender equality and women empowerment as well as social inclusion issues for sustainable DRM. In course of implementing the programme, UNDP is building partnerships with the government, NGOs, international agencies, and academic institutions and expands the institutional and knowledge base of disaster risk management in Nepal. The national UNV will work under guidance and supervision of Senior Project Officer and two Project Officers (Livelihood and CRM & Environment) and closely collaborate with the International UN Volunteer and Project Assistant. The main role of the national UNV is to provide substantive assistance on the overall implementation of the activities in the field and will be stationed in the project site During the tenure of her/his service, the UN Volunteer will be involved with the broad range of stakeholders from national to local level and a large number of meetings/workshops/trainings which will benefit to shape their career in the future. 10. Type of Assignment: Assignment without family 11. Description of tasks: The national UN Volunteer provides support planning, coordination, monitoring and reporting activities at the community level, ensuring quality and consistency of work. The incumbent works in close collaboration with multiple stakeholders including district government line agencies, municipality, professional service providers, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and UNDP implementing partners.
Under the direct supervision of Senior Project Officer and the guidance of Project Officers in Livelihood and CRM & Environment, as well as in close collaboration with the CRM team members; the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Programmatic support: Assist in coordination of project management with the implementing partners (institution/consultant) to create synergy and share the work flow. Assist in coordination with district level Government agencies - particularly District Project Coordination Committee - DPCC (members; DDC, DAO, DADO, DHM basin office, DWIDP, DLSO and DFO) as well as other stakeholders working in the similar themes Liaise with district officials to promote their active engagement with the project as well as to ensure participation in the project related meetings or events for their ownership Actively engage with communities with a particular focus on the most vulnerable people, WCF Members, CAC members, social mobilizers and local level officials to identify needs and issues and analyze the situation on the ground. Assist the District Project Coordination Committee to prepare agenda, organize the meeting regularly, write-up the minutes and circulate among the CRM team. Keep track of decisions/action-points/recommendations and set up a system for follow-up by appropriate individuals. Support in preparing field visits for the CRM team members including conducting survey, collecting information, organizing meetings etc. Assist in monitoring on project activities undertaken by service providers with regular follow up. Support in capacity development of community based organizations, in terms of climate risk assessment, need assessment, developing proposals, financial management and creation of linkage. Support the Community Based Disaster Risk Management Committee (CBDRMC), Community Forest User Groups (CFUG), Farmers Group (FG), in maintaining downward and upward accountability while implementing the development activities. Support in regular monitoring of activities implemented by Professional Service Providers (PSPs) and Micro Capital Grantees (MCGs). Support establishing a good linkage among GoN agencies, communities and professional service providers in order to achieve the objectives of the initiatives Knowledge management: Take minutes and record action points from local meetings, tele-conferences and important events, systematically manage them and follow up through the POs Accompany UN and donor agency personnel on project field visits and assist in documenting good practices and lessons learned Ensure availability of relevant factual information and supporting documentation highlighting key issues and providing appropriate detail for use in meetings, conferences and other events Prepare informal translations and act as an interpreter when required Prepare case studies, success stories and share with CRM team members Administrative tasks:
Under guidance from administrative staff in CDRMP/UNDP, Kathmandu, the UN Volunteer will provide the following: Organize logistics (accommodation, food and meeting venues) for the meeting/ workshop to be organized by CDRMP etc. Liaise with local PSPs for service contracts, provision and review of their services and payments Follow up with relevant PSPs and grantees to ensure that all relevant documentation both programme as well as finance, are up to date to be able to pay the installments Other responsibility: Perform any other related task that may be reasonably requested by the CRM team Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required 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 (for instance in events that mark IVD); 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; Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. 12. Results/Expected Outputs: Delivery of high-quality and timely results in support of CDRMP/UNDP. Captured good practices and that are shared with Implementing partners, UNDP CO, GON and relevant stakeholders for replication and up scaling. Improved coordination among the district line agencies, professional service providers, communities and project staff Improved information/data management and flow of information within and among stakeholders at different levels Cultivated sprit of volunteerisms for advancing women s right and marginalized communities. 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: Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
Advanced University degree preferably with Master s Degree in development studies, Environmental Sciences, agriculture, agri-engineering, rural development, forestry, environment or related programme. Demonstrated interest in Climate/Disaster Risk Reduction is desired. At least one year of relevant programme experience is required at the district/ regional level or at national level. Familiarity with the project district/region is required. Experience in the usage of computers and software packages and knowledge of spreadsheet. Full proficiency in English and Nepali including good writing skills. CORE COMPETENCIES Demonstrates commitment to the UN mission, vision and values Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES Effective oral and interpersonal communication skills with staff at various levels of the organization with clarity and concision Knowledge on programe monitoring and reporting. Strong understanding of the local context (district/regional) Strong skills on documentation and report writing. Self-motivation and ability to recommend options for resolution of issues. Strong service orientation. Consistent approach toward work with a positive and constructive attitude. 14. Living Conditions: The incumbent will be positioned in Melamchi, of Sindhupalchowk district, located at Sindhu-Kola subwatershed of Sindhupalchowk. The living condition is moderately warm in summer and chilling cold in winter. Chautara is a municipality and the district Headquarters where most of the service centers of GoN are located. The office of the UNV will be stationed in the municipality office or ward office/ CBDRMC offices. 15. Conditions of Service A 12 - month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities: NPR 32,194.00; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.