UNDP Jobs - 48997- Youth Volunteer Assessment in South Sudan

Youth Volunteer Assessment in South Sudan

Location :

South Sudan, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

21 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

21 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

General Background

The United Nations Volunteer programme promotes global volunteer contributions and mobilises volunteers in support of the UN operations and activities of UN missions, agencies, governments, NGOs etc., in development, emergency, peace-keeping or other situations where these contributions could make a difference. Typically, UN Volunteers bring dedication, commitment and engagement combined with skills and experience to bear on the situations wherein they are deployed. In any given year, more than 7000 individuals from around 140 countries serve in more than 140 countries. The majority are supported in-country by the UNV Field Units (UNV FU) in UNDP Country Offices and the UN Missions. At headquarters level, a Portfolio Team (PT) supports the UNV FU.

Purpose of the volunteer assessment

The overall purpose of this assessment is to identify and analyse the existing youth volunteer knowledge, attitude and practices that has been built in the community socio-cultural and economic structure in South Sudan. It assesses the existing volunteer practices that can be programmed, promoted and nurtured. Besides, the assessment will include historical analysis of volunteer practices that have since been phased out which are likely to be revived in the future. The assessment exercise propose concrete recommendations that UNV South Sudan field unit will use to advocate and promote for youth volunteer programmes.

Background to the UN volunteer youth Programme

In 1976 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 31/131) mandated UNV to promote and advance the role of youth in development through volunteerism. During the last decade, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has increasingly supported Member States to develop opportunities for youth to engage as volunteers in global peace and sustainable human development, through joint programmes on youth participation, innovative initiatives and schemes for mobilizing youth volunteers, as well as UN Volunteers and UN online volunteers.
On 25 January 2012, the Secretary-General of the United Nations announced his Five-Year Action Agenda. It identifies youth and volunteering as a theme and priority, and explicitly calls for the “creation of a UN youth volunteers programme under the umbrella of UN Volunteers” in order to “address the needs of the largest generation of young people the world has ever known”.

UNV’s focus on youth is an important part of UNV’s strategy and vision for the coming years. To this end, the UN Youth Volunteers Programme undertakes to achieve three outcomes:

Increased recognition of the contribution of youth to global peace and sustainable human development through volunteerism, and inclusion of youth voices in the development discourse;
Improved capacity of relevant stakeholders to support an enabling environment for regional, national and community youth volunteering for global peace and sustainable human development;
Increased and diversified opportunities for young people to contribute to global peace and sustainable human development work, especially of the United Nations, through a United Nations Youth Volunteer modality.

Background to UNV programme in South Sudan

Considering the current peace and development situation of the Republic of South Sudan, the United Nations volunteers (UNV) programme building on its past initiatives in the country will strengthen and carry on its support to UN entities, and the people and Government of South Sudan by aligning its efforts within the current South Sudan development programme that is fully adopted to UN Development Assistance Framework 2014-2016. This opportunity coincides with the launch of the UNV Strategic Framework 2014-2017 and the accompanying Integrated Result and Resources Matrix focusing on four priority areas of youth, peace building, basic social services, community resilience for environment and disaster risk reduction. It also creates opportunity for the UNV programme to work with UN partners in the above mentioned priority areas under the UNV Global Programme Initiatives.

At the end of 2013, there were nearly 200 UN volunteers working with UN Agencies in South Sudan who were the reduced to about 140 following the onset of the December 2013 crisis and its impact on security. It is anticipated that with a possible improvement of security the number of UN volunteers may increase.

The area of youth is critical for the mid and long term peace and development of the South Sudan. Building on the existing partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports MoYS), the UNV Programme will work with UN partners to explore a national youth volunteer service and youth employability initiatives within the setting of the national youth policy and youth strategic framework of the Youth Directorate of the (MoYS).UNV South Sudan field unit based in UNDP office is planning to undertake a youth volunteer assessment to understand the general youth situation in South Sudan with emphasis on their involvement in the peace and development processes of the country.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assessment
This assessment will have the following specific objectives:

Make desk review on contextual analysis of South Sudan including economic, social, cultural, demography with particular emphasis to youth population;
Study the policy of the government of South Sudan (GoSS) in line with youth, youth volunteer programme and actions. Detail analysis of youth programme aspects of this policy indicating UNV’s possible future support;
Identify volunteer knowledge, attitudes and practices that exist in the major communities of South Sudan indicating commonalities and differences. Make recommendations how those different volunteer practices or actions can be synchronized and promoted with possible UNV and UNV partners;
Study volunteer practices and actions that existed in the past but phased out over time across major communities. Make suggestions how those past volunteer practices can be restored and promoted outlining the roles of relevant institutions including UNV;
Identify youth associations, community based organizations and other non-governmental actors that are directly or indirectly working with communities/on volunteer issues. Capture their brief profiles and make recommendations on how UNV engage and help building their institutional capacities.

Results:

South Sudan situation analysed(context) elaborating youth population;
The existing volunteer knowledge, attitude practices assessed and reported;
Volunteer practices existed in the past but likely to be revived; identified and reported with clear recommendations;
Assessment/research report covering all objectives/tasks indicated in the ToR, prepared and submitted;
Institutions/agencies, community based organizations and others working on youth volunteer identified and profiled; and
Concept note/proposal on youth volunteer actions developed and reported in a separate document as per contents reflected in the ToR.

Methodology:

The consultant will identify potential civil society organizations and community based organizations to undertake social analysis. S/he will help these institutions pinpoint volunteer knowledge, attitudes and practices. Makes further social and volunteer analysis that will help UNV documentation, knowledge management and sharing;
Desk review of the existing documents/, strategic plan, reports, policy documents and any other relevant documents as deemed essential;
Youth Focus group discussion: separate young women, young men, combination of young women and men;
Community group discussion: consists of women, men, traditional and religious leaders;
Meetings: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Interior/Inspector General of Police, Ministry of Justice/Judiciary of South Sudan. UNV, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and other agencies working with youth programmes. From this meeting, the consultant will identify volunteer opportunities available within the mandates of each party;
Mapping: profiling Community based organizations/religious, youth associations, etc to help UNV integrate future volunteer initiatives. As the assessment progresses in a field, the consultant may use any additional methodologies as appropriate. Towards concluding the assessment the consultant will organize workshop for a validation of data and information involving Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, UNV and other relevant partners as proposed by UNV field unit.

Final report

At the end of the assessment, the consultant will prepare a general assessment report (max 30 pages) and project concept note. The general assessment report will cover findings against objectives set in the ToR. It should also provide clear outline of recommendations UNV should involve in youth volunteer programmes in promoting peace and development initiatives in South Sudan. The youth volunteer programme concept note will have a proposal with a budget. The contents of the concept note should cover background information, statement of the problem, justification/ rationale, objectives, outcomes, results, activities, inputs/budget, stakeholder analysis, management arrangement, M &E and reporting and action plan/work plan.

Assessment timeframe

The consultant will undertake this assessment and produce reports within 21 days after signing the consultancy contract agreement. These days are assumed to be as follow:

Two days: round trip between country of recruitment to South Sudan and return upon accomplishment of assignment;
One day: briefing from UNV/UNDP, introductory meetings with MoCY & S updating schedules and initial desk review;
Twelve days: assessment period including travel days within South Sudan;
Four days: compilation of data and information and, report writing. 1st draft report will be submitted on 18th day after the contract signed;
Two days: validation workshop (half day), compilation of inputs from stakeholders and final report writing.

Application:

Interested consultants should submit their technical and financial proposals.
The financial proposal should indicate quotes as per table below:

Travel and related costs: Air tickets/VISA/ airport taxes, etc;
Daily subsistence allowances including accommodation;
Consultancy service fees;
Reporting and miscellaneous costs.

Total constancy cost:

Competencies

Competence in sample survey techniques and computerised data processing;
Good analytical and report writing skills;
Good people and communication skills;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education requirement:

University degrees at the post-graduate level in the social anthropology, management or relevant social sciences.

Experiences:

10 years work experience of which at least five are in a developing country;
Proven track record and experience in development work;
Knowledge and demonstrated experience in volunteerism, knowledge of civil society movements, groups and community mobilization are mandatory requirements;
International individual consultant with experience in UN system and knowledge of volunteerism.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English is a must;
Arabic will be an advantage.