UNV Jobs - 53925- Education and Social Mobilization Officer

Education and Social Mobilization Officer

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

Erbil, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

UNV

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

12-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

UNV

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Immediate

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 United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures, volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. 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. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

The project “Youth Opportunities: UNV Capacity Development and Support to the Kurdistan Regional Government through Volunteering” was endorsed by the Ministry of Planning of the Kurdistan Region. The objectives of the project are the following: (a) to develop the capacity of selected Kurdish youth through participatory approaches and provide an opportunity for Kurdish youth to become champions for the work of the UN in their communities, and get actively involved in the realization of Kurdish regional development goals; (b) to reinforce KRG project implementation capacity, specifically through the injection of a robust local knowledge base. This will be achieved through the addition of Kurdish National UN Youth Volunteers to existing UN projects in selected fields of programme management, as well as thematic areas prioritized by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The project encompasses a strong learning component throughout the assignment cycle of the National UN Youth Volunteers.
The Joint Programme proposes to contribute to the achievement of the identified goals by piloting a decentralized school-based management model with an overarching strategy of Child Friendly Schools in 30 schools of Dohuk, Sulaimanya and Erbil Governorate.

UNICEF, WFP, WHO, and UNFPA will jointly pool their technical expertise and resources to develop a viable service delivery model using the government of KRG’s existing institutions to ensure that these schools are well-managed, provide quality education and receive health and nutrition services at the school level, especially in the rural areas.
The Joint Programme activities will include training of teachers in child-centred teaching and learning methodologies; give them skills to provide psycho-social support to children, gender and human rights awareness and life skills and adolescent-friendly health services within the framework of child-friendly schools. The community will be mobilized to participate in the running of the school through activation or formation of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs). There will also be health promotion and health screening of children and nutritional needs of all children will be met by the school system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of UNICEF Education Officer, and with the overall guidance of the “Youth Opportunities” Programme Manager in Erbil, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Mobilize local school communities on the importance of education;
Motivate the school communities to actively participate in PTA meetings and activities;
Support PTA to play active role in school leadership and management;
Conduct awareness-raising activities on social education in the targeted communities;
Draft regular reports on the activities;
Liaise with relevant partners and organize meetings as appropriate;
Develop and implement, in coordination with the host agency and the UNV programme at least one community-based project, involving community members;
Any other related tasks that may be required.

Furthermore, the UN Youth Volunteer is encouraged to:

Strengthen the knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV events;
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the 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 volunteering experiences and submit them to the team at UNV HQ for consideration (beyond other communications responsibilities), and input to the UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Youth 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.

Competencies

Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and the ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially, responsive and client-oriented;
Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast with new developments in areas of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;
Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi- cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills including the ability to prepare concise and clear reports; ability to conduct presentations, and to articulate positions and options concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), volunteers, counterparts, local interlocutors; refugees and asylum seekers coming from various diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
Flexibility, adaptability and ability as well as willingness to operate independently in potentially hazardous environments and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operation as and when necessary;
Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; as well as commitment towards the UN core values.?

Required Skills and Experience

Academics degree, preferably in social sciences;

Demonstrated interest and up to two years of experience in issues related to education;
Previous experience in voluntary service;
Experience in working with volunteers or civil society organizations an asset, as well as experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship);
Experienced user of MS Office applications;
Fluency in spoken and written Kurdish and English is required, and knowledge of Arabic is an asset;
Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Note:

UN Youth Volunteers must be between 22 and 29 years for the whole duration of their assignment;
When preparing your CV, cover letter and eligibility questionnaire, please make sure to follow the instructions indicated in the “How to Apply” Guide;
This position will be subject to approval by the Erbil Governor/Deputy Governor (counterpart/head of steering committee) and Minister of Planning (funder of the project);
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals and is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender and culture;
Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted for the language test;
Conditions of service: A 12-month contract. Monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to US$ 784 per month (VLA rates are periodically reviewed). Life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. In addition to specialized trainings for all the UN Youth Volunteers in this programme, the incumbent will have access to US$ 1,500 per year to undertake additional trainings.