Antecedentes

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 in this manner provide an opportunity for Kurdish youth to become champions for the work of the United Nations 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 project “Harnessing evidence for community mobilization to eliminate FGM” aims to support the Government’s efforts to deal with FGM within the broader framework of gender-based violence as

expressed in The Law Against Domestic Violence – Law No.8, 2011 and efforts by the Kurdistan Islamic Scholars Union which issued a fatwa stating that FGM predates Islam and is not required by it. The issue of FGM in Iraqi-Kurdistan will be addressed through the conduct of a quantitative and KAP survey which will be used as an evidence-based platform that will inform a large-scale communications campaign raising awareness of the law and greater understanding of the consequences of the procedure and potential health implications. The project will be led by the High Council of Women Affairs, UNICEF and UNWOMEN.

Deberes y responsabilidades

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

• Support UNICEF and HCWA in all aspects related to a quantitative survey for the elimination of FGM/cutting in KRG;
• Ensure coordination with counterparts from the KRG authorities, UN agencies, in particular UNWOMEN, national and international NGOs, and other partners, including participation in the regular meetings; in particular, coordinate very closely on FGM concerns with High Council of Women Affairs;
• Promote the establishment of coordination mechanisms between agencies, and facilitate regular and effective FGM coordination mechanisms in close collaboration with the Child Protection Officer;
• Assist CP officer in leading regular interactions and meetings on FGM concerns with relevant counterparts, draft meeting agenda and notes;
• Establish linkages with community groups and local population;
• Daily monitoring through visits and meetings with community, including families and community leaders;
• Ensure that the confidentiality of all personal information about cases is observed;
• Assist UNICEF in monitoring and evaluation with the technical support from and the guidance of UNICEF Child Protection colleagues;
• Ensure regular information and briefing to stakeholders on FGM issues and interventions;
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports on assigned tasks and activities implemented;
• Contribute with inputs to general reports on FGM activities supported by KR Vision 2020 Facility;
• Develop and implement, in coordination with the host agency and the UNV programme, at least one community-based project involving community members;
• Any other task related to FGM survey and community awareness.

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.

Competencias

• 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.?

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

• Academics degree, preferably in social sciences such as Sociology, Human Rights;
• Demonstrated interest and up to two years of experience in the area of Monitoring and Evaluation and/or Protection;
• Ability to engage and form effective working relationships with counterparts and beneficiaries;
• Good writing and analytical skills;
• 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;

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.