UNV Assignment Title: UNV Associate Programme Officer

Type of Assignment: National UN Volunteer

Project title: UN Volunteers Programme in Ukraine

Duration: Initially up to the 31st of December.

Location, Country: Kyiv, Ukraine

Expected Starting Date: ASAP

Brief Project Description: UN agencies provide support to Ukraine under the umbrella of the United Nations Partnership Framework. Its overall goal is to assist Ukraine in achieving its national competitiveness agenda with a focus on human development for all. The new programme covers three strategic areas of cooperation: Economic and Social Well-Being for all, with particular attention to vulnerable groups, including women, children, migrants, refugees, youth and aged people, and people with disabilities; Environmental Sustainability; and Effective Governance, including deepened institutional capacities, civil society and media empowerment, and stronger attention to human rights.

United Nations Development Program (UNDP’s) in Ukraine is part of the system of UN agencies, funds and programmes in Ukraine.

In 2012-2016, United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) in Ukraine as part of the UNDP Country Team will continue to be focused on building civil society capacities, and encouraging greater civic engagement and participation in UN Country Team development projects, providing support in training and management to volunteer involving organizations (VIOs), raising awareness on environmental sustainable practices; support government counterparts and civil society organizations to strengthen an inclusive national volunteer infrastructure.

Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP

Organizational Context: The UNV Portfolio Teams within the Peace and Development Divisions are responsible for the implementation of the UNV programme strategy, including volunteer management, at global, regional and local levels. The UNV Associate Programme Officer is an integral part of this Portfolio Team.

The UNV Programme Officer reports locally on daily operational matters to the UNDP Country Director and to the Portfolio Manager, Europe and CIS, in the Development Division at UNV headquarters. The UNV Programme Officer is first and foremost responsible for the effective strategic planning, programming, and overall management of the day to day operations of UNV’s programme activity within the context of its programme collaboration with the UN Country Team representatives in Ukraine. Additionally, the UNV APO is responsible for raising awareness of volunteerism in Ukraine; contributing to programming in the area of volunteerism for development; assignment planning and management, and providing guidance to all the serving UN Volunteers within his/her country of assignment.

This is a complex role, requiring a variety of programme oriented, administrative, managerial, and inter-personal skills. The UNV Associate Programme Officer (UNV APO) is a UN Volunteer himself/herself. S/he is central to UNV programme at the country level and is governed by the same conditions of service that define all other international UN Volunteers in the country.

S/he is an integral part of the Programme Team of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and heads the UNV Field Unit (FU).

Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family

Description of tasks: Under the direction and overall guidance of the Country Director of UNDP, the UNV Associate Programme Officer (PO) is expected to perform the following functions:

Programme Management:

• In line with the UNV’s Corporate Plan and the UNV Programme Strategy, support UNDP and UNCT in developing and managing project proposals; support the implementation of joint projects and ensure the realization of projects’ main objectives and results; manage human resources and capacity building efforts;
• Effectively provide support to all UN Volunteers serving in the country;
• Maintain strong information and knowledge base on volunteerism and local relevant up-to-date country and sectoral socio-economic information and website;
• Maintain existing and initiate new contacts with UN Specialized agencies, Government, and other development co-operation activities in the country that offer a potential for the appropriate use of volunteers; and support the effective use of UNV resources, including national UN Volunteers in specific target areas;
• Participate in Local Project Appraisal Committee meetings of UNDP for projects where UNV input is necessary and develop concrete proposals for the consideration by the UNDP Resident Representative and UNV HQs;
• Participate in regular reviews and discussions with project management and UN Volunteers on project progress, revisions, implementation schedules and constraints, etc;
• Prepare analytical bi-annual reports on the UNV country programme;
• Keep abreast of developments as they affect the UNV contribution to the country;
• Participate at UNCT meetings as appropriate and integrate UNV, volunteerism and civic participation meaningfully into relevant documents as requested by senior management and in line with UNDAF;
• Attend all UNV related meetings and brief Senior Management as appropriate;
• Request, manage and report on UNV support funds such as monitoring and evaluation funds, equipment and travel budget, as well as Programme Officer’s Empowerment Mechanism (POEM);

Advocate promotion of volunteerism:

• Advocate promotion of volunteerism within the UN Agencies, government, non-governmental and community organizations;
• Support the national development process of building space for voluntary action, including through national/international volunteer assignments;
• Provide technical assistance to and support local and national organizations in the promotion of volunteerism for sustainable human development, in volunteers’ management, and in enhancing their organizational capacities , particularly in rural areas;
• Organize collaborative activities such as International Volunteer Day and other efforts with local and international volunteer agencies, in promoting volunteerism;
• Assess CSO’s organizational structure and capacities to ensure proper use of POEM resources;
• Provide strategic inputs in the area of civic participation, community engagement, volunteerism, social capital/cohesion and youth issues;
• Provide analyses and policy inputs related to civil society, volunteerism and youth issues in support of UNDP Country Office strategic planning and reviews (e.g. UNDCS, CPD/CPAP etc.);
• Support UNDP’s activities in shaping and realizing national strategic documents as far as they relate to volunteerism for development and peace;
• Assist UNDP Country Office in developing links with civil society organizations and grassroots Initiatives;
• Act as focal point for the preparation, co-ordination and dissemination of information materials related to the UNV programme and specific UNV activities for local and international media, UNV News, UN information services and discussions among serving and “returned” UN Volunteers and utilize their knowledge and experience to facilitate professional development;
• Edit information notes for different partners, and actively promote the recruitment of UN Volunteers with partner agencies
• Organize recruitment drives in collaboration with Universities and the Youth Vocational Training Centre

Management of UNV Operational and Recruitment Issues:

• Ensure that the national UN Volunteer scheme is managed in accordance with Steering Committee’s decisions, and in line with HQ’s rules and regulations; • Manage the day-to-day activities of the CO and relevant agencies;
• Scrutinize all incoming correspondence and prepare appropriate responses; Initiate procurement procedures, to be handled through UNDP GS Unit, related to equipment (e.g. tenders, purchase orders etc), inventories of all UNV equipment, insurance of UNV vehicles, proper disposal of equipment etc. and send to UNV HQ all relevant information;
• Arrange periodic get-togethers and meetings among the team of UN Volunteers serving in the Country with the administrative assistance of the UNV focal point in UNDP or UNV Country Operations Assistant where available,
• Screen candidates applying for UNV positions and take lead in their recruitment if they are selected for assignments. Compile interview reports on related dossiers for recruitment and dispatch to UNV HQ;
• Support in the recruitment process of candidates living in the country through organizing interviews, with the participation of UNDP, relevant UN Agency representatives and subject matter specialists, to assess their suitability for the UN Volunteer assignments; and with other administrative formalities, including pre-departure brief on the mission/vision of the United Nations Volunteers, policies, procedures and conditions of service.
• Ensure adequate preparation for individual UN volunteer assignments are made including the provision of administrative support, budget provisions, training facilities, equipment, office-space etc, before the volunteer’s arrival;
• Organize briefing and orientation to the recruited international and national UN volunteers, with the involvement of UNDP Country Office, host agency and/or project authorities on the UN Commitment to the country; socio-economic situation; cultural dimensions; political structure; code of conduct; UNV conditions of service;
• Provide guidance and administrative and programmatic support to the in-country serving UN Volunteers;
• Monitor the performance of serving UN volunteers through routine field visits to their duty stations, discussions with their supervisors and counterparts and follow-up on their periodic reports;
• Maintain comprehensive updated records of the contractual status of serving UN Volunteers and initiate timely action on decisions concerning post extensions, renewals and replacements;
• Support the UN Volunteers in building professional competencies, as required, for effective contribution to the host agency/country;

Security-related support:

• Support the UN Designated Official in providing detailed understanding among the UN volunteers on global security coordination, country-based security plan and management, individual and organization responsibilities in ensuring their enhanced safety and security in the country;
• Maintain constant dialogue with the UN Designated Official and host agencies and ensure continued flow of information on the latest information, at any given time, on the security situation at the duty stations;
• Support the Designated Official and host agency in orderly evacuation/relocation of the UN Volunteers as authorized by the UN Security Coordinator and administering the payment of relevant entitlements;
• Keep UNV HQ informed regularly on the security situation in the country.
• Any other tasks as assigned by UNV HQ and UNDP CD

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 (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.

Results/Expected Output:

• Timely, responsive and high-quality delivery of coordination and support services to UN Volunteers serving in Ukraine, international and national partners and to UNV HQ;
• Successful project development and implementation in support of UNCT and UNDP programmes/projects in Ukraine;
• New opportunities of collaboration with government counterparts, civil society and the UN Country Team representatives are identified;
• 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.

Qualifications/Requirements:

The UNV Associate Programme Officer must be a pro-active, dynamic and multi-functional person, with the following essential qualifications and abilities:

• A bachelor degree, preferably in humanities, political or social sciences or in business administration,
• Excellent written and spoken English, Russian and Ukrainian is required,
• Work experience in programme development and management with demonstrated experience in writing project documents, resource mobilization, staff supervision, administration and management,
• Knowledge in one or several relevant development field(s) such as democratic governance, gender equality, social inclusion, poverty eradication, private sector engagement, environment and sustainable development is an asset,
• Ability to work with and forge networks with both Government and community based organisations,
• Good understanding of national and regional socio-political context,
• Familiarity with UN system, including UNDP and UNV programmes, activities and main partners in the country desirable,
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills,
• Experience in mentoring others,
• Good management skills, and ability to multi-task and prioritize workload,
• Knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Office
• Ukrainian citizen, at least 25 years old.

Living Conditions: The UNV will be based in Kyiv, with travel from time to time to project areas. She/he will be attached to the Governance Team of UNDP Ukraine. Kyiv is a family duty station and has no security phase. Ukraine is stable and safe with reasonable health and education facilities and good transport infrastructure.

Conditions of Service

A 9 months contract with possible extension; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to UAH 5000; life, health, and permanent disability insurance.

If you are interested and qualified for the position, please apply through this link.

The deadline is the 23th of April 2012.