Historique

The United Nations General Assembly defines volunteerism as an activity undertaken out of free will, for the general public good, and where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor. It is expressed through a wide range of activities, including traditional forms of mutual aid and self-help, formal service delivery, campaigning and advocacy, as well as other forms of civic participation. Volunteering represents an important form and manifestation of youth participation across the globe. It is increasingly recognized that young people’s approaches to participation are changing and becoming more diverse, especially as a result of globalization processes. According to theState of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2011, “healthy societies need young people who are involved with their communities. Volunteer action can be a highly effective route towards such involvement."

 

A growing body of research and studies, including the UNV’s own lessons learned, points to the benefits volunteerism accrues to a youth’s own development and to societies at large.

  • Firstly, volunteerism can support young people to become active leaders and citizens and serves as an important tool for engagement in society.
  • Secondly, youth volunteerism strengthens the bond between young people and their communities.
  • And finally, volunteerism helps young people improve their employment prospects through practical experiences which enhance both hard and soft job-related skills.

 

In India, the origin and development of volunteerism has been shaped by its indigenous traditions and value systems rooted in the religion and cultural interactions with incoming cultures throughout its history. The 12th Five Year Plan of the Government of India states that it would look afresh at the existing policies, instruments and institutions, and suggest innovative policies, efficient and effective instruments and creative ways to rejuvenate institutions in order to utilise and channel the youth energy in nation-building and economic development of society. It states that convergence in approach and synergy in action would be the key elements.

 

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) in consultation with various stakeholders released a new National Youth Policy (2014) that aims to “empower youth of the country to achieve their full potential and through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations.” The National Youth Policy (2014) of India proposes to initiate affirmative and positive action to ensure that national values are regularly fostered in all young people, especially among members of the large youth volunteer force working under the aegis of leading youth development agencies of the country. As such the policy proposes to engage with Youth clubs and the large volunteer force available within youth development agencies to play a pivotal role in developing appropriate initiatives for young people.

 

Further, the Government of India and United Nations signed the United Nations Development Action Framework 2013-17 also focuses on the potential of mobilisation of volunteers, especially adolescents for peace and development.

 

Taking cognisance of the major recommendations of the 12th Five Year Plan and the National Youth Policy (2014), the UNV Global Youth Volunteer Programme and UN Youth Volunteering Strategy, the MoYAS and UNV/UNDP have agreed on a project “Strengthening NYKS and NSS” to provide catalytic support to the Youth Volunteer Schemes of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) to facilitate youth participation and voice in peace and sustainable development programmes, towards realization of their full social, economic and human potential. It is expected that the project will help young people to gain a strong sense of civic engagement to bring about positive transformation in their communities.

 

To achieve the above, the project will engage a national Project Manager and three national UNV Management Associates at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MOYAS) (at national level) and UNV District Youth Coordinators (UNV DYCs) in one district in each of 29 states of India to support implementation of the project “Strengthening NYKS and NSS”.

 

Organizational Context: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) has been running schemes such as the National Service Scheme (NSS), 1969 and Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYKS), 1972 for promotion of volunteerism amongst the youth. The 12th Five Year Plan calls for strengthening NSS and expanding its coverage from the existing 33 lakh by 5 lakh per annum over the next five years. Meanwhile, the thrust of the Nehru Yuva Kendra(s)—NYKs in the 12th Plan, would be on consolidating, expanding and energising the youth club movement for engaging the rural youth in various socio-economic and community activities.

 

Within United Nations, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme established by the UN General Assembly in 1970 and administered by the UNDP, partners with UN agencies, governments and civil society organisations to advocate for volunteerism, integrate volunteerism into peace and development interventions and mobilise UN Volunteers and community volunteers.

 

In the context of increasing the attention of the international community to volunteerism and its contribution to the work of the UN System, UNV launched a Strategic Framework for 2014-2017. Within this Strategic Framework, UNV has developed a comprehensive Youth Volunteering Strategy (YVS) and a UNV Global Youth Volunteer Programme to promote youth volunteerism and youth voice, in line with its long history of youth volunteerism, and in alignment with the UN Secretary-General's Call for Action and Five-Year Action Agenda in 2012.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Under the direct supervision of National Project Director, National Project Manager and Programme Analyst/Head of UNV, the UNV District Youth Coordinators will undertake the following tasks:

 

  • Maintaining close liaison with District Administration, developmental departments & NGOs.
  • Promoting the self-reliant Youth Clubs;
  • Identifying training needs of Youth club functionaries and organizing training programmes;
  • Assessing the needs and problems of various sections of youth in the district;
  • Preparing the Annual Action plan of programmes and activities, proper programmes and activities
  • Assisting Youth Clubs/NGOs in the formulation of project proposals under Schemes of Financial Assistance of Central Government Departments/Agencies;
  • Preparing village, block and district profiles;
  • Preparing documentation and circulation of supportive and publicity material, maintenance or records and reports;
  • Conducting periodic meetings of District Advisory Committee (DAC), National Youth Corps (NYC) Volunteers and Youth Clubs and proper maintenance of NYK office including personnel administration, coordination with publicity media for image building of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.

 

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:

 

  • Training needs identified and relevant training institutions identified/hired.
  • Annual action plans of programme and activities prepared and activities undertaken.
  • Project proposals developed for financial assistance of Central Government/ Departments.
  • Information Education and Communication material developed and disseminated.
  • Youth Volunteering activities implemented in the district

Compétences

Corporate Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism and discrimination

Core Competencies

 

 

 

 

 

Ethics and Values

  • Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity  

Working in teams

  • Acts as a team player and facilitates team work
  • Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively and manages conflict
  • Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complex situations

Knowledge sharing / continuous learning

  • Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment
  • Provides information and documentation on specific stages of programme implementation

Functional Competencies

 

Results Based Programme Development and Management

  • Generates new ideas and approaches, researches and documents best practices and identifies better opportunities for project implementation.
  • Coordinates the implementation of activities in the district in a time bound manner.

Strategic Partnerships and Client Orientation

  • Builds and sustains effective partnerships with the Government Agencies and main constituents, advocates effectively and communicates sensitively across different constituencies in the district.
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in the area of youth development and seeks to develop new partnerships to promote youth volunteerism.

Advocacy

  • Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
  • Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;

Language Requirements

  • Excellent command in spoken and written English and Hindi/local language of the districts
  • Excellent drafting and verbal communication skills

Qualifications et expériences requises

  • At least a University level degree (Bachelor Degree) in Political/Development Sciences or related fields.
  • A Masters level Degree in Political/Development Sciences or related field will be considered as an added advantage.
  • Minimum 3 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in administration and monitoring. Preferably in administration, management and monitoring of youth, volunteerism, economic and social development issues
  • Good analytical skills (including writing skills), good inter-personal skills and the ability to work under pressure, both independently and as part of a team.
  • Sound coordination skills will be an added advantage.
  • Fluency in English and Hindi/local language of the district.
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, (MS Word, Excel, and Power Point, etc.).
  • Willingness to travel

 

Living Conditions: Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India and is the nation's and also the world's second-most populous sub-national entity. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west and the Indian states of Karnataka, Telangana, Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. 

 

Maharashtra has typical monsoon climate, with hot, rainy and cold weather seasons. However, dew, frost and hail also occur sometimes, depending upon the seasonal weather. The winter in January and February is followed by summer between March and May and the monsoon season between June and September. Summers are extreme with March, April and May as the hottest months. During April and May thunderstorms are common all over the state. 

 

A 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to Rs. 39,584 per month; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

 

This position is open to applicants of either sex. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. Only short listed candidates would be contacted.

 

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. 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.

 

NOTE: The duty station may change subject to the decision of the project authorities