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.