Guidelines on embedding Volunteerism for Development into the standard Description of Assignment for UN Volunteers

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1 Description of Assignment Prepared by: Host organization in coordination with the UNDP Country Office/UNV Field Units or UNV Focal Points VMC process: Request for the services of a UN Volunteer. The Description of Assignment (DOA) is provided on a standard UNV form which is available at any UNDP Country Office or from UNV Headquarters. This form should be completed in full, providing concise information on the project and a clear description of the UN Volunteer s assignment tasks as well as embedding volunteerism for development as per guidelines. Purpose: Provide UNV HQ and the UNV candidate with information on key elements of the UNV assignment, including required competencies, roles and responsibilities of the future UN Volunteer. Serve as basis for the identification, submission and interview of UN Volunteer candidates. Format: Description of Assignment Guidelines on embedding Volunteerism for Development into the standard Description of Assignment for UN Volunteers Promoting volunteerism for peace and development is an integral part of every UN Volunteer assignment. The Description of Assignment (DOA) needs to outline ways to promote volunteerism for development through and alongside the UN Volunteer assignment. Assignments in the fields of agriculture, HIV/AIDS, community mobilization, human rights, civil or humanitarian affairs should all provide ample opportunities for demonstrating that volunteerism contributes directly to development. For all these areas of specialization the promotion of volunteerism for development should not be expressed solely through a number of bullet points in the DOA template but should be clearly mainstreamed within the DOA. The promotion of volunteerism for development, engaging in volunteering activities, building volunteering-based partnerships, and/or mobilizing local communities needs to permeate UN Volunteer assignments and be carried out within the context of their duties. Volunteerism for development is a means to achieve the overarching objective of the assignment; therefore the DOA should include specific tasks related to the promotion of volunteerism for development tailor-made to the specific position. UNV encourages the inclusion of volunteerism for development in all areas of UN Volunteers work while, at the same time, recognizing that not all assignments easily lend themselves to the pursuit of volunteerism within their framework. For such DOA where the volunteerism for development cannot be mainstreamed, we suggest the inclusion of a number of bullet points that pursue the promotion of volunteerism for development throughout the assignment in addition to the bullet points indicated in the DOA template. Those bullet points could include: Networking and building relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and supporting and/or participating in local volunteering initiatives; Encouraging, mobilizing and supporting co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in development on a voluntary basis; Initiating and/or participating in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site; Discussing with supervisors on how volunteerism for development can be mainstreamed through the assignment and integrating activities that promote volunteerism for development into work plans. Building on this DOA template will ensure further advocacy through the promotion of volunteerism within the programme/project and within the context of the assignment. Including in DOA gives greater recognition and legitimacy to this commitment with concerned host organizations and partners.

2 Preamble: UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT 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. Type of Assignment: National UN Volunteer 2. Type of Assignment Place: Family Duty Station 3. Assignment Title: Municipal Public Participation and Communication Associate (APPLICATION CODE: AFGR ) 4. Link with UNV Strategic Framework : Securing access to Basic Social Services 5. Duty Station, Country: Kabul, Afghanistan Type of Assignment Place: Youth Volunteers assignments are always without family 6. Duration (in months): One year 7. Expected Starting Date: ASAP 8 Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP 9. Organizational Context/Project: Local Governance Project-Afghanistan (LoGo) is a project, building upon the lessons from UNDP s Afghanistan Sub-National Governance Programme (ASGP). Through LoGo project, the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) and UNDP will jointly address the top three priorities of IDLG which are: 1) service delivery; 2) accountability; and 3) clear functions and mandates. The project builds on a new theory of change aimed at improving service delivery by enhancing the accountability and transparency of the local governments to the women and men of Afghanistan and building the capacity of the local governments to plan, budget and monitor service delivery effectively with the ultimate aim of increasing the legitimacy of the government and the trust between the state and society. The GIRoA, with UNDP support, will focus on the following areas: 1. Subnational state institutions, (Provincial Governor Offices, District Governor Offices, Provincial Sector and Technical Services department, Provincial Council, Provincial

3 Development Committees, Moustafiats, Department of Economy), enhance their capacities in outreach, planning, monitoring and budgeting for accountable and transparent service delivery; 2. Municipalities deliver services in a more accountable and participatory manner; 3. Accountability of local governance enhanced through civil society oversight organizations/groups; Central level government institutions develop and implement policy guidelines which improve local government accountability and service delivery 10. Description of tasks: Under the direct supervision of Team Leader (Municipal Component) the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support to Municipal Component in Design and Implementation of Initiatives for Municipal Outreach Assist the municipal component in design and implementation of the outreach systems for municipalities Assist the municipal component in review and coordination with DMM and municipalities on implementation of the planned activities Assist municipal component in information management, analysis and reporting pertinent to program implementation 2. Support to municipalities for improving outreach and participation Assist in preparing a public participation strategy for municipal administrations to bring their constituents close to administration and win their full participation in municipal affairs Assist in training concerned municipal government personnel in applying tools for public participation recommended in the strategy Assist in training the concerned municipal government personnel in public information, education, and communication. Assist in designing a concept paper and implementation framework for engagement of civil society organization in auditing municipal service delivery process for improved transparency and accountability Assist in creation and functioning of municipal advisory boards in municipalities under LoGo coverage Assist in improving interactions between MAB and Nahia and Gozar councils Assist in promote networking for knowledge sharing and inter-municipal cooperation Assist in creation and functioning other governance structures including school municipal committees in municipalities Assist municipalities in effective use of social media and e-communication Assist LoGo municipal regional team in organizing municipal monthly reporting/accountability events Review and improve the reports and other specialist products submitted by LoGo regional municipal specialist and NTAs Assist Assist in the organization of in-country exposure visits Any other tasked assigned by supervisor

4 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. 11. Results/Expected Output: Improved overall quality of the urban living environment. Improvement in the overall municipal service delivery enhances the government s credibility toward its constituents 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: Master degree or BA degree in mass communication, public administration or related fields, extra trainings in public information, communication, and education will be a distinct advantage In-depth knowledge of local governance realities in Afghanistan Strong communication skills Ability to coordinate different stakeholders in a complex work environment. Experienced in capacity development Ability to work independently Able to use computer programs/applications (MS. Word, Excel, Power Point,) Strong communication skills Ability to work independently Fluency in written and spoken English plus local Afghan languages (Dari and/or Pashtu). 13. Living Conditions: All UN staff personnel working in Afghanistan in general and Kabul in particular are required to strictly adhere to standard security protocol as issued and advised by the UN Security apparatus. Health: Exposure exists to diseases. All medical formalities specified in the Offer or Travel Advisory should be completed before traveling. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Polio and Meningitis are recommended. Vaccination Card (yellow card)

5 must be brought. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. UN personnel have access during working hours to a Clinic inside the compound. 14. Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers A 12 month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of 600 $ is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. 15. How to Apply 1. Site: 2. Click on Candidate Signup 3. Register with UNV database by entering basic personal information 4. Click Sign Up 5. Notification sent to the registered of the candidate 6. Click on the link in the to validate the address 7. Complete all the required sections under My Profile 8. Submit my profile 9. Within VMAM page, Go to My Page section, click on the Special Call button and apply and select the Application Code AFGR ) / Closing date for applicants: 29/06/2017 Description of Assignment prepared by the hosting project/un Agency: Fatana zewari Operations specialist (UNDP LoGo Project) Date: 14/05/2017 Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit: Antonio Pizzuto UNV PO

6 Date: 14/05/2017 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.