Background

UNV Assignment Title:    Community Volunteer Coordinator
Type of Assignment:       National UN volunteer
Project Title:                   Social Innovation and Volunteerism

Duration:                        One year with a possibility of extension
Location, Country:          Termez, Uzbekistan
Expected Starting Date:  December 2012

Brief Project Description:    

The main goal of the project is to establish an enabling environment for promotion of community based volunteerism as the platform to forge collaboration, spotting talents, introducing social innovation tools for civic engagement. In addition, special emphasis will be made for providing evidence of value-added community-led development and encouraging organizations to launch volunteer programmes. As the result of the project, urban and rural population will be better equipped with necessary practical skills and knowledge for self-determination, and participate more actively in development processes of their communities and the country.

Host Agency/Host Institute:  United Nations Development Programme / United Nations Volunteers

 
Organizational Context:

The project is administered by UNDP though Project Assurance is jointly provided by the UNDP Good Governance Unit and United Nations Volunteer Field Unit in Uzbekistan. The Project Board will be responsible for making by consensus management decisions for a project when guidance is required by the Project Manager, including recommendation for UNDP/ UNV approval of project plans and revisions. The Project Assurance role supports the Project Board by carrying out objective and independent project oversight and monitoring functions. This role ensures appropriate project management milestones are managed and completed.

Type of Assignment Place: Family Duty Station

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Project Manager with input from the UNV Field Unit, the UNV volunteer will be responsible to:

 
  • In close cooperation with the Project Team and project partners, assist with the coordination and implementation of all volunteer aspects of the Project at the local level;
  • Provide trainings for volunteer leaders, civil society organizations and local authorities on various aspects of community action and development, community participation, etc.;
  • Facilitate implementation of volunteer initiatives focused on local development through participatory village development planning, local resource mobilization and support to management of local development projects called Volunteer Empowerment Mini-Projects;
  • Initiate and maintain contacts with local administrations and stakeholders to form partnerships and promote community development and support for volunteer initiatives;
  • Provide support to local administration community action plan drafting through hands-on technical assistance and advisory services;
  • Support civic participation and activism through awareness raising and partnerships building;
  • Build linkages between community leaders and NGOs in different villages and encourage knowledge- and experience-sharing;
  • Liaise and serve as resource for local volunteer groups, NGOs and local institutions;
  • Provide regular reports on project progress to the management;
  • Collaborate with Communications/Reporting Specialist for media coverage of activities;
  • Participate in project events and knowledge exchange exercises;
  • Other duties as assigned.

 
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:

 
  • Community volunteers and local volunteer-involving organizations (if applicable) have improved capacities in NGO management, volunteer management, project development and implementation, fund-raising, etc.
  • Volunteer involving organizations are equipped with necessary volunteer competencies to effectively utilize volunteerism resources for the successful achievement of their goals.
  • Community-led and designed Volunteer Empowerment Mini-Projects are implemented properly and conducted in accordance with UNV guidance.
  • Volunteers are equipped with necessary competencies for community leadership and participation in local decision-making processes.
  • 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.

Competencies

  • Excellent skills and experience in designing and leading trainings and seminars;
  • Experience working in rural areas is desirable;
  • Willingness to travel in-country and invest long hours to achieve concrete results;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, diligence, open-mindedness and dedication;
  • Proactive and results-oriented;
  • Familiarity with gender issues; belief in UN ethics.
  • Computer skills: general computer literacy, Microsoft Office or alternative software

Required Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor degree in social sciences or related practices
  • At least 1 year work or volunteer experience in the sphere of community development, and/or local socio-economic development;
  • Language skills: Uzbek and Russian mandatory; knowledge of English or Tajik is an asset.
  • 22 years of age or older
 
Living Conditions:

The National UNV Volunteer is responsible for her/his accommodation. The National UNV Volunteer Specialist will be expected to travel within the country.

 
Conditions of Service

A 12-month contract (renewable); monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to USD $ 283 (current) for; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return trip (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. 

 

Application Process:

All interested and qualified candidates are required to apply on-line through the UNDP website at http://undp.uz The UNDP will only accept applications submitted on-line.

Please ensure that before making on-line application you have completed the UNDP Personal History Form (P11). The electronic version of the P11 can be downloaded from http://www.undp.uz (Vacancies Section). The completed (P11) further to be uploaded while applying on-line.

The deadline for submission of application is COB, 15 December, 2012. Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (15 December, 2012) will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.undp.uz. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

 

The position is open for Uzbekistan citizens only.