DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT

Transcription

1 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 coworkers, 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. Type of Assignment: International UN University Volunteer 2. Type of Assignment Place: Family Duty Station UN University Volunteer assignments are always without family. 3. Assignment Title: UN University Volunteer in Communication and Advocacy 4. Link with UNV Strategic Framework: Youth 5. Duty Station, Country: Maputo, Mozambique 6. Duration (in months): 5 Months 7. Expected Starting Date: end of September/early October Host Agency/Host Institute: UNV Field Unit 9. Organizational Context/Project: United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity

2 of volunteers, including experienced UNV volunteers, throughout the world. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme advocates for volunteerism, integrates volunteerism into development planning and mobilizes volunteers. UNV Programme in Mozambique: This assignment is an International UN University Volunteer assignment with the UNV programme at UNDP country office in Maputo, Mozambique. The assignment aims to support the UNV field office to promote communication, knowledge management and advocacy for UNV programme as a contribution towards achieving UNDP and UNV goals in Mozambique. The duties associated with this assignment will be carried out within a framework of voluntary commitment and engagement, which are the foundations of volunteerism UNV Programme works in partnership with the UN agencies, government Institutions, Civil society organisations, Private sector and other Non-Governmental organisations. The UNV Programme in Mozambique is in a phase of further strengthening its partnerships, increasing volunteer mobilization, exploring opportunities for joint programming and increasing its visibility through strategic communication and advocacy initiatives on UN Volunteers programme and volunteerism for development. Currently, the UNV programme works closely with other UN agencies (WFP, UNDP, UNESCO, UN Women, FAO, IFAD, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF and RCO) and its programme is integrated in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The UNV Programme in Mozambique is situated within the UNDP Country office in Maputo with a total of 2 positions at UNV Mozambique: One (1) UNV Programme offer and a Programme Associate. The UN University Volunteer will be supervised by the UNV Programme officer and the dayto-day reporting will be to the UNV Programme officer. The UNV Field Unit (FU) in Mozambique is composed of the UNV Programme Officer (PO) who is head of the UNV FU, a UNV Programme Associate and a Communication and Advocacy officer (University UN Volunteer Requested Position). The UNV Field Unit s main function is to support the development initiatives in Mozambique by advocating for the concept of volunteerism for development, integrating volunteerism into development planning and programming and supporting UNV FU s efforts in mobilizing volunteers. 10. Description of tasks: Under the direct supervision of the UNV Programme officer, the UN University Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Support promotion of awareness regarding the role of volunteerism in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and human development Support advocacy initiatives for the recognition of volunteerism among UNV programme s partners, promoting the integration of volunteerism into development programming, and supporting volunteers mobilization Through knowledge management tools and methods, identify, analyze, gather and use information, lessons learned and best practices to improve the quality of interventions carried out by UN volunteers and the UNV programme at country level Support the UNV programme in building its brand to better promote its activities and contribute towards UNV s work; for example, with publications, outreach and campaigning, increasing UNV visibility and helping with the organization s primary mission to influence policy.

3 Specific duties are likely to include, but are not limited to: Contributing to the UNV programme Communications and advocacy events Supporting advocacy, communications and information plans for the UNV field unit, including advocacy strategies and campaigns for volunteerism In collaboration with the UNV PO, assist with liaising with strategic partners to raise public awareness on development issues, targeting audiences in Mozambique Assisting with organizing special events related to the UNV programme, develop the UNV programme advocacy and communication strategy Participate in writing, creating, designing and making layout of promotional and educational material for the UNV programme in Mozambique, such as project briefs, brochures, creating UNV Calendar, annual reports, contributing towards website design, (TV and radio advertising (Only if and when necessary). Consulting with the UNV PO and UNV programme Associate on ways to include advocacy and mass-communication activities into all aspects of UNV programme Assist in updating and managing the UNV Mozambique Facebook page and writing the UNV Mozambique Newsletters. Participating in and facilitating UNV supported training and workshops where and when possible Support the UNV Field unit in ensuring that all UNV communication and advocacy materials produced are of high quality and standard Assist in identifying sources of information related to volunteerism and development and facilitate sharing, replication of relevant promising practices and lessons learnt Keep abreast of current debates and thinking; exchange experience; seek and provide support on various advocacy and communication for development related issues. Assist in analyzing promising practices and lessons learned on advocacy, communication and development related issues and liaise with the UNV PO on opportunities and approaches for concerted action by the UNV programme. Furthermore, UN University 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 International Volunteer Day); 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 University 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.

4 11. Results/Expected Outputs: UNV programme efforts related to communication and advocacy events are supported Support in outlining the UNV FU s advocacy, communication and information plan and strategy is provided Promotional and educative materials for the UNV FU and UNV HQ produced. Information and communication materials produced. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; 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. 12. Qualifications/Requirements (including competencies, values and skills): Academics: Currently studying towards a degree in Journalism, Communications or other relevant field; Demonstrated interest and/or additional specialization or experience (up to 2 years) in International development is required; Some experience in the communications and advocacy field, desirable and experience in graphic design; web design; and social media or print production an advantage Good experience in writing articles and text for publications is an added advantage Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset and willingness to learn Portuguese is an advantage. Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others). 13. Learning expectations Learning and development are a central part of the UN University Volunteer s assignment and take place before, during and after his or her assignment in the field. Ideally, offering diverse opportunities for learning and development aim to strengthen the volunteer s skills and competences, improve the quality of the assignment and keep the volunteer s motivation high.

5 Learning elements for the UN University Volunteer include the development of: Professional skills: including specific competencies and reflection on assignmentrelated abilities; and on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview skills, CV preparation, job searching. Inter-personal skills: including communication and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management. Volunteering-related skills: including leadership; civic responsibility; and engagement and active participation. Beyond the learning opportunities provided by UNV, UNDP will support knowledge and capacity development in the technical areas that are relevant to the UN University Volunteer s assignment. UNDP will provide, at its expense, UN University Volunteers with equal opportunity to participate in training courses and workshops offered to its personnel. 14. Living Conditions: Mozambique has a total population of about 25 million people and Maputo is the capital city. The city is very pleasant and offers a wide range of facilities. As Mozambique s largest city, Maputo has all the amenities for a comfortable and enjoyable life. Mozambique is located on the southeast Coast of Africa. To the East is the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia is to the north, to the west Zimbabwe and South Africa and to the South, Swaziland and South Africa. The total area of Mozambique is Km square from North to South. It is tropical hot and humid. The hottest and wettest months in Maputo are December to February, when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22 c and the average daily highs of 30 c. The rain season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13 c to 24 c. The security situation is reliable but a lot of precaution is needed at the same time. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The housing market is healthy but quite expensive, with a wide selection of apartments and houses for rent. Houses and apartments can be rented from US$ 700 to US$ 1,000 per month and meals at the restaurant cost between US$ 10 and US$ 70. Maputo has several open food markets and several large supermarkets that sell food, clothing, and household goods at reasonable prices. Prices of basic commodities and goods are not necessarily low and quality is often questionable, but you can easily buy all that you need to live in Maputo. 15. Conditions of Service International UN University Volunteer The duration of your assignment is five months. A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) per month and is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$952.The VLA base rate is a global rate, while the PAM is country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN University Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the

6 beginning of every month on the ICSC website ( For example, if the PAM for the current month is 30.1%, then the VLA for that month will be US$952X1.301=$1,239 Furthermore, UN University Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and also in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN University Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate. Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UN Agency: Steven Ursino, UNDP Country Director a.i, Mozambique Date: 07-February-2017 Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit: Benjamin Kerchan, UNV Programme officer, Mozambique Date: 07-February-2017 United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.