Antecedentes

Brief Project Description:

The United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh, in line with Pillar 1 of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Action Plan 2012-2016 on Democratic Governance and Human Rights, is committed to assist in promoting overall governance and strengthening democratic practices notably through its political governance activities and policy analysis. As part of UNDP’s new strategic plan and to further its long term aims in the area of democratic governance a greater emphasis is being placed on evidence-based research. This is to ensure an improved framework to inform programming decisions related to strengthening government institutions at the national and sub-national level as well as improving access to justice and human rights. The position will be responsible for the generation, collection and coordination of relevant public information, reports statistics as well as compiling regular updates from the mass media on the area of democratic governance. It will entail liaising with national stakeholders to ensure relevant information and reports are identified, organizing and archiving all relevant information into an accessible filing system, media monitoring for news and providing regular reports and updates on major events in Bangladesh.

Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP Bangladesh

Organizational Context: 

Since 1972, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been partnering with the people and communities of Bangladesh at various levels to build a resilient nation with strong focus on sustainable human development-led growth.  Since its inception, UNDP and its partners accomplished key results in the areas of governance, poverty reduction, environment, energy and climate change, disaster management, and achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Over the years of dedicated partnership with government agencies and partners, UNDP Bangladesh is viewed as an honest broker, bringing about transformational changes in the lives and livelihoods of the people of Bangladesh.

The UN Volunteer will be placed at the Governance Cluster of UNDP Bangladesh to which she/he will directly report to the Project Manager – ARENA Project.

Type of Assignment Place: Non-family

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in monitoring of the media on a regular basis and draft daily briefings
• Assist in preparations of contextual background, policy papers, briefing notes and analysis on governance related issues in Bangladesh
• Conduct research and perform data entry, clearing, and analysis
• Provide administrative and logistic support to events and activities organised by the Project

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 the International Volunteer Day);
• 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:

• Regular media monitoring draft daily briefings;
• Regular research, data entry, monitoring and clearing;
• Periodic trend analysis;
• Regular documentation and reporting of project activities;
• 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.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN System’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation  impartiality;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN system; and
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback, timely responses queries
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Builds consensus from across broad range of views
• Demonstrates ability to maintain strategic focus and achieve strategic decisions from broad range of competing perspectives

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Qualifications/Requirements:

• University Degree in Social Science, Journalism, Information Technology, Law, or Development Studies;
• Preferably 2 years working experience in development sector;
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Bangla
• Experience in conducting research, data collection and clearing, preparing reports, and documentation and experience in administrative work would be advantage
• Have a general understanding of the political context and developments in Bangladesh
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Access and other research tools.
   

Learning expectations:

Learning and development are a central part of the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment and take place before, during and after his or her assignment in the field. Ideally, offering diverse opportunities for learning and development aim to strengthen the volunteer’s skills and competences, improve the quality of the assignment and keep the volunteer’s motivation high.

Learning elements for the UN Youth Volunteer include the development of:

• Professional skills: including specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abilities; and on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview skills, CV preparation, job searching.
• Inter-personal skills: including communication and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management.
• Volunteering-related skills:  including leadership; civic responsibility; and engagement and active participation.

Beyond the learning opportunities provided by UNV, host agencies are expected to support knowledge and capacity development in the technical areas that are relevant to the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment. Host agencies are also expected to provide, at their expense, UN Youth Volunteers with equal opportunity to participate in training courses and workshops offered to the host agency’s personnel.

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 UNVHQs 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.

Living Conditions:

The incumbent will be based in Dhaka, the capital and largest city of Bangladesh.  The average temperature in Dhaka, Bangladesh is 26.1 °C. The highest monthly average temperature is 34 °C in April and the lowest monthly average temperature is 14 °C (57 °F) in December. Nearly 80% of the annual average rainfall of 1,854 mm occurs between May and September. Power Outage is very common at any time of the day without prior announcement. There are easy access to schools, health facilities and good accommodation. There are taxi, cabs and local means of transportations. Colleagues in the office and national staff are useful resources in providing information on accommodation, shopping etc. The UNV office can also be an additional resource in providing relevant information for living in Bangladesh. The local UNDSS will provide the needed information regarding security.

Conditions of Service:
A 6 month contract; monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA) intended to cover basic needs, accommodation and utilities equivalent to BDT 33,585, will be provided. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. All UN Youth Volunteers are required to follow the UN Youth Volunteer Conditions of Service and revised monthly VLA rate.

Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UN Agency: Governance Cluster/ UNDP Bangladesh
 
Taslima Islam
Project Manager
ARENA

Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit:

Linda Germanis
UNV Bangladesh Programme Officer.