UN YOUTH VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT Preamble: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programmeis 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 Youth 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 Youth 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. 1. UNV Assignment Title: UN Youth Volunteer in social inclusion of youth 2. Type of Assignment: International UN Youth Volunteer 3. Project Title: Social Inclusion of Youth 4. Duration: 12 months 5. Location, Country: Praia, Cabo Verde 6. Expected Starting Date: March/April 2015 7. Brief Project Description: The purpose of this project is to support the Government of Cabo Verde in achieving its strategic goal of improving the youth inclusion and participation in the country development. UN Joint Office of UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF will help to provide technical assistance in youth-related issues and reinforcement of institutional capacity. The UN Youth Volunteer will contribute to ensure the successful implementation of youth-related outputs of the UNDAF (2012-2016) and Integrated Work Plan. 8. Host Agency/Host Institute: Joint Office of UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA (Human Capital Unit) 9. Organizational Context: The Office of Cabo Verde is the only UN Joint Office set up in the world, bringing together UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF under the same administrative arrangement, with a single Representative, and a common team of professionals. Building on the expertise of those three agencies, within a pilot Delivering as One UN Programme, the office provides important learning opportunities and the possibility to capitalize on the value added of the three agencies, in the service of the country’s priorities. The Human Capital Unit is responsible for providing technical assistance in welfare, education, health, nutrition and youth, working closely with government partners (including the Ministry of Youth) and civil society to implement a program-approach on youth. 10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment without family 11. Description of tasks: Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the Human Capital Unit, the UN Youth Volunteer will support the formulation, management and evaluation of program activities within his/her portfolio and will work in close collaboration with the operations team, other program staff in the office and with other UN Agencies. As a member of the Unit, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Provide support to ensure effective coordination and management of the project Social Inclusion of Youth, in coordination with the Ministry of Youth and national and international NGOs: • • • • • • • • Support in formulating and reviewing the annual workplans and monitor their day-to-day implementation through consultations, correspondence and field visits. Contribute to provide technical support and arrange technical backstopping with Advisers and/or other local and international consultants engaged in the project as required Liaise with and contribute to provide technical assistance to Government counterparts and NGOs involved in the project to ensure efficient planning at different levels of project activities Establish/ facilitate a network or community of practice on social inclusion of Youth in Cabo Verde, circulating information notes and materials to the group. Promote knowledge sharing and knowledge management within the country team and with partners, and ensure continuous feedback to the Human Capital Unit on programme, technical and operational policy, regulations, procedures etc. as well as lessons learned. Assist in the identification of capacity gaps among implementing partners and development of strategies to fill the gaps observed. As needed, design and deliver, or facilitate training interventions.. Support the preparation and delivering of programme /project management reports and other deliverables. Perform other related activities as assigned by the supervisor. Ensure effective support to UN interventions on youth issues: • • • • • • • • • • Assist the Head of the Human Capital Unit and follow up on all issues regarding youth in the country, including data collection exercises and research. Assist and provide substantive contribution to support the elaboration of analysis on youth and others strategic or research documents Contribute to create and document knowledge about Youth, by analyzing programmes, projects, strategies, approaches, and ongoing experience of lessons learned and best practices, to share with senior staff and knowledge sharing mechanisms and planning future strategies. In collaboration with Government counterparts and key stakeholders, help to identify and review emerging development issues, their inter-linkages and their linkages to programme planning, management and research, and establish and maintain a network of partners involved in youth-related issues Support the implementation and coordination of all actions arising from the Memorandum Of Understanding on Youth, agreed between the UN System and the Ministry of Youth, Employment and Development of Human Resources. Contribute to ensure better coherence between the various UN interventions, projects and programmes on Youth. Assist in the identification of new approaches and strategies that promote youth participation and protection Participate in the UN Common Country Assessment and the UN Development Assistance Framework exercises in the country as part of the broader UN Reform initiatives, and provide support to ensure integration of Youth issues in related national and development partner coordination mechanisms. Assist in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Joint Office by preparing relevant documentation i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, etc, and participating in meetings and public information events on youth-related issues. Undertake research on relevant topics identified by the Human Capital Unit 12. Results/Expected Output: • • • • • • Good coordination and communication between all project partners is ensured. Concept notes or project documents are elaborated. Knowledge sharing and learning on youth is encouraged. Updated information on topics related to youth are researched, compiled capitalized and shared with the Human Capital Unit and the Joint Office and with the national counterparts. New instruments / procedures / methodological tools for project formulation, management and reporting are in place. Quality events on youth are held. 13. Qualifications/Requirements: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Academic: University degree in Social Sciences, Political Sciences , Education, Psychology or other relevant areas Demonstrated interest and/or experience in youth-focused issues and programs. Experience in research, policy-level and youth analysis and interventions. In-depth knowledge on development issues Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; 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 Strong organizational skills Personal qualities such as initiative, adaptability and sound judgment; Ability to adapt to new environments, and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural background Fluency in spoken and written Portuguese OR Spanish , and working knowledge of English OR French is an asset Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; Computer skills: Proficient use of Office Pack, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint: and social media. 14. 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. 15. Living Conditions: The assignment will take place in the capital, Praia (Santiago Island). The living conditions in Praia are good, as well as the access to health services. The level of tropical diseases is very low. There are currently no required vaccines at the entrance to Cabo Verde, unless one comes from West Africa. However, immunization against yellow fever, tetanus and polio, as well as hepatitis A, is recommended. Cabo Verde has social and political stability since independence, and there are no major security issues.. Cabo Verde is located on GMT -1. Due to its geographical location, in front of the Sahel Belt, Cabo Verde has an arid and semi-arid, hot and dry climate with scarce rainfall and an average annual temperature of 25ºC (77ºF).The rainy season usually starts in mid-July and ends in late October. The total population of Cabo Verde is about 491.875 (Census 2010). Roughly one quarter of the population lives in the capital, Praia. Portuguese is the official language of the country, but informal conversations are held in Kriolu. The currency used in Cabo Verde is called: Escudo Caboverdiano (1 EUR = 110,265 CVE). The Cabo Verdean escudo is not changed in several countries. Cabo Verde holds high prices for housing, food and fuel, for the country imports approximately 80% of food needs and consumer goods. International credit cards (VISA) are accepted in some shops. It is also possible to withdraw money with an international card in some banks/ ATM. Housing conditions in Praia may vary greatly. It is possible to rent fully furnished apartments / houses in safe areas from 400€ to 1000€, and unfurnished apartments from 250€ and 500€. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private accommodations, which must comply with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Meals at restaurants near the UN Office cost between 2,5€ and 15€. The country faces serious difficulties in meeting the growing demand for water and electricity, and water and electricity shortages may occur. Cabo Verde benefits from an effective telephone system, cellular service and regular Internet access. Portuguese public TV and radio for Africa and Radio France Internationale are relayed across Cabo Verde, There is an active press and local newspapers are also available online. A valid passport and visa are required to enter Cabo Verde. The visa (valid for 6 months maximum) can be obtained in your country of origin at the Embassy or Consulate of Cabo Verde or directly at the airport in Praia (valid for 3 months) upon arrival. The UNV Field Unit will book temporary accommodation for the first nights at UN Volunteer expenses, which can be extended or not at UN Volunteer discretion until getting a permanent accommodation. 16. Conditions of Service A 12-month contract; monthly Un Youth Volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, settling-in-grant; life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. Description of Assignment prepared by the UN Agency: Nelida Rodrigues, Head of Human Capital Unit, Joint Office of UNDP, UNIVEF and UNFPA Description of Assignment approved by UNV Field Unit: Renata Farias, UNV Programme Officer United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
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