UNV Jobs - 53721- National UN Volunteer/Programme Assistant, UNFPA S

National UN Volunteer/Programme Assistant, UNFPA Sub-Regional Office in Almaty

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN

Type of Contract :

UNV

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

23-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

UNV

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The assignment relates to the provision of programmatic and technical support to the countries in the EECA region, within the context of the 2014-2017 EECA Regional Programme. The Programme Assistant is expected to apply established system and procedures and assists in the creation of substantive knowledge by compiling and synthesizing information relevant to the programme issues. He/she will be instrumental in facilitating programme/project implementation using and developing appropriate mechanism and systems and ensuring compliance with established procedures. The Programme Assistant will work in close collaboration with the programme and operations staff in the Sub Regional Office (SRO) and the Country Offices (COs) for resolving programme related issues and exchanging information.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

The goals of UNFPA - achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health (including family planning), promoting reproductive rights, reducing maternal mortality and accelerating progress on the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) agenda and MDG 5 - are inextricably linked. UNFPA also focuses on improving the lives of youths and women by advocating for human rights and gender equality and by promoting the understanding of population dynamics. Population dynamics, including growth rates, age structure, fertility and mortality and migration have an effect on every aspect of human, social and economic progress. And sexual and reproductive health and women's empowerment all powerfully affect and are influenced by population trends.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the SRO Director, direct supervision of a designated supervisor, and in close collaboration with the EECA Regional Office programme team in Istanbul, the Programme Assistant supports the design, planning and implementation of UNFPA’s regional programme by providing data inputs, providing logistical support, monitoring project implementation and following up on recommendations consistent with UNFPA rules and regulations. Specifically, the UNV will fulfil the following duties:
1. Provide overall assistance and logistical support to implementation of different components of UNFPA’s regional programme (RP), including support to RP-funded regional events; assist with collection and filing of programme-related, finance and administrative records; provide originals of all programme documents to Programme Associate in Regional Office (RO) Istanbul for filing;
2. Liaise with the COs on the specified information required by the SRO;
3. Liaise with UNFPA consultants, implementing agencies, UN organizations and other UNFPA partners for coordination on programme matters;
4. On demand, collect relevant information on programme matters and UNFPA thematic areas, statistical data and normative/legislative/policy documentation;
5. Assist in preparation of short summary briefs for EECARO advocacy/communication activities;
6. Assist in translation of documents related to implementation of programme activities from English into Russian and from Russian into English;
7. Prepare draft minutes of the meetings, communicating them to the participants, receiving their feedback and finalizing the minutes upon entering the amendments and comments proposed;
8. Proofread and edit programme related documents as requested;
9. In collaboration with Communication Focal Points in SRO, engage in communication activities: prepare articles, dispatches for S/RO web-page and other media resources when necessary;
10. Perform an assigned Atlas role as per the UNFPA Internal Control Framework;
11. Provide back-up for UNFPA Programme Associate in SRO Almaty;
12. Prepare service contracts and other types of agreements with consultants and service providers in accordance with guidelines.

Furthermore, UN Volunteer is encouraged to:
• Strengthen his/her 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 he/she is undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute to 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;
• Advocate UNFPA’s mandate as per guidelines.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNFPA and UNV
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism
- Working in teams: Working effectively with colleagues in ways that allow the achievement of shared objectives.
- Performance management: Accepting responsibility for personal performance
- Self-management/Emotional intelligence and Conflict management: Managing moods, responding effectively to stress, situations of ambiguity or crisis. Managing relationships with others to achieve mutual benefit.

Professionalism:
- Solid knowledge of administrative work; understanding of financial processes and accounting;
- Good knowledge of computer and organizational technology;
- Ability to perform a broad range of activities related to workshop and meeting arrangements;
- Excellent writing and presentation skills for preparation of presentations and reports – in English and Russian;
- Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.

Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to planning, results-based management and reporting
- Ability to formulation, implementation, monitoring project documentation
- Ability to quick learning

Reporting
- To report to and agree the actions upon with the Direct Supervisor;
- To ensure timely and qualitative fulfillment of the requirements as contained in the Terms of Reference;
- To ensure fulfillment of the requirements as provided for in the Terms of Reference

Required Skills and Experience

The following qualifications are required for consideration:
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political/social sciences or other related fields;
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in the public or private sector;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and working knowledge of spreadsheet;
• Advanced skills in scanning and screening of programme related information in different resources including but not limited to internet;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;
• General ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and good skills in writing press releases and articles/stories for traditional and electronic media;
• Strong communication, interpersonal and networking skills;
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas;
• Understanding of gender considerations;
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural team under time pressure and to meet deadlines;
• Fluency in English and Russian. Knowledge of Kazakh is an asset;
• Previous working experience in the region would be an asset.