1. law, govt and politics
2. legal issues
3. human rights

UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
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.
1. UNV Assignment Title:
UNDAF Review and Development Officer
2. Type of Assignment:
International UN Volunteer
3. Project Title:
UNDAF Review and Development
4. Duration:
24 months
5. Location:
Vientiane, Lao PDR
6. Expected Starting Date:
As soon as possible
7. Brief Project Description:
As the overarching framework for the work of the UN and its partners in Lao PDR, the UN Development
Assistance Framework (UNDAF) works across agencies and organizations to capitalize on their particular
strengths while making connections where commonalities in objectives and methodologies exist, allowing
for both bilateral and multilateral relationships to function. The UNDAF exists to support the National SocioEconomic Development Plan of the Lao Government and therefore makes a connection with most
development work being undertaken in the country, including those supported by the GIZ programmes.
8. Host Agency/Host Institute: Office of the UN Resident Coordinator
9. Organizational Context:
UNDAF for 2012 to 2015 (now extended to 2016) describes the goals and process by which the UN entities
in Lao PDR and the Non Resident agencies (NRAs) will assist Lao PDR in the effective implementation of
the National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP), achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals and graduation from the Least Developed Countries by 2020. In the spirit of “Delivering As One”, the
UNDAF, available online at http://www.la.one.un.org/media-center/publications, coordinated by the Office of
the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRCO), reflects and consolidates efforts by the UNCT and NRA, builds
upon outcomes of numerous joint UN programmes and increases collaboration of UN agencies with the
Government and donors. Given the inter-related nature of MDGs and national development priorities
addressed in the NSEDP, the UNDAF is a strategic framework that reflects the multi-sectoral contribution of
the UN system to national development. The UNDAF also strategically supports a comprehensive policy
process whereby sub-national and community-level initiatives to achieve MDGs not only promote equitable
development but are considered at the national level for further replication to accelerate the progress.
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The 2013 MDG Progress Report, also available online at http://www.la.one.un.org/mediacenter/publications, highlights remarkable economic and social progress that Lao PDR has achieved during
the past two decades, especially in the area of hunger and poverty eradication, infant and under-five mortality
rate, universal primary education and gender parity. However, the Report also draws attention to the offtrack MDGs in nutrition and maternal health as well as the inequities remaining in many MDG areas which
will need to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth.
Less than eighteen months remain before the end of 2015, the target year set by Lao PDR and other
countries for achieving the MDGs as part of their commitment to the historic Millennium Declarations. Next
year will also see the completion of the 7th NSEDP. In parallel with this, the UNCT in Lao PDR and NRA are
accelerating the implementation of the final stage of the current UNDAF cycle and preparing for the new
UNDAF cycle to align with the 8th NSEDP, which is planned in 2016. Much still remains to be done.
Against this backdrop, the UN Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) wishes to recruit an UNDAF Review
and Development Officer to help oversee the current UNDAF cycle review and evaluation and to prepare for
the next cycle that will be launched in 2016.
10. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment with family
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the Head of RCO, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
 Oversee the current UNDAF cycle review and evaluation:
o Review the current UNDAF to ensure all data is updated
o Review and evaluate the current UNDAF cycle progress
o Identify major challenges of the UNDAF Process
o Suggest recommendations for improvement with particular focus on resource
mobilization.
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Oversee the creation of the new cycle UNDAF:
o Support the Country Analysis Consultant in collecting and analysing information and
data for the Country Analysis Report, which forms the strategic planning phase of
UNDAF
o Analyze the Country Analysis Report to highlight gaps where additional UNCT
support can provide benefits
o Organise the first Government- UN Strategic Planning Workshop to work on the
UNDAF process road-map.
o Hold periodic discussions and meetings with UNCT members, UN staff as well as the
UN Resident Coordinator Office to gather information on strategic objectives,
directions, priorities and implementation of M&E methodologies in the course of
completing the full UNDAF Action Plan
o Facilitate further discussions with the Lao PDR Government to initiate and finalise
UNDAF outcomes/priorities.
o Support the UNDAF consultant to complete the full UNDAF Results Matrix
o Support the UNDAF consultant to complete the full UNDAF Action Plan (narrative and
Results Matrix) to be endorsed by the UNCT and the Lao PDR Government.
o Oversee the UNDAF monitoring matrix to facilitate UNDAF M&E process.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
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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 IVD);
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;
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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.
12. Results/Expected Output:
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A comprehensive UNDAF Review is completed with a detailed analysis on the current progress that
clearly shows our current status under the existing UNDAF.
A thorough evaluation on the current UNDAF cycle is produced with recommendations for
improvement to overcome the challenges and obstacles that the current UNDAF is facing.
A practical and comprehensive roadmap for the new UNDAF cycle is developed with clear and
achievable timeline.
A complete UNDAF Results Matrix and UNDAF Action Plan in full (narrative and results matrix) is
submitted and endorsed by the UNCT and the Lao PDR Government.
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment,
including reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities
developed.
13. Qualifications/Requirements:
Knowledge and skills:
 Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Social Science, Economy, Statistics
or other fields related to the area of the assignment
 Substantive knowledge of development issues,
 Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking
 Proven research capacity and statistical skills
 Programming and experience with data presentation
 Ability to work in teams
Experience:
 Previous assignments involving UN coordination, UN programme planning, or related work is an asset
 Previous experience in developing countries is an asset
 Knowledge of the social, political and economic situation of Lao PDR desirable
 Previous experience with preparation/writing of UNDAF documents highly desirable
14. Living Conditions:
The position will be based in the capital, Vientiane. Living conditions in Vientiane are comfortable but
residents must make concessions due to the tropical climate and under-developed infrastructure, including
health facilities.
Vientiane is a relatively safe place to live in, with violent crime incidents very rare. However, single females
should exert vigilance if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups.
The biggest hazards relate to traffic accidents, hence utmost care should be exerted when in traffic,
especially when riding a motorbike.
The Vientiane entertainment scene is still quiet and in order to avoid feeling lonely the person should be
proactive in forming friendships, and hence should be ready to make the best of e.g. the UNV Buddy
Programme.
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Houses or apartments are usually of good standards. All basic commodities can be bought in Vientiane and
its immediate vicinity.
15. Conditions of Service
A 24-months contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and
utilities, equivalent to US$ 1,933 for single person; US$2,183 for persons with one recognized dependent;
US$2,383 for person with two or more recognized dependents; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health,
and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory
service.
16. Application
If you are not a candidate in UNV’s database, please apply by registering your profile at
https://ereta.unv.org/html/index.php?module=myprofile.
Important: once you have created your UNV account by validating your email address, please complete all
sections of your profile and select the following code: “15FFGER_LAO” from the drop down menu in the
“Special Recruitment” tab of ‘MyProfile’. Your application can only be considered once you have submitted
your complete UNV profile (green button). As a confirmation of your successful registration, you will receive
an email with your UNV roster number.
If you are registered in the UNV database of candidates, please update your profile at:
http://MyProfile.unv.org. In the “Special Recruitment” section on the left, click on the “Edit” button and select
the advertisement code “15FFGER_LAO” from the drop-down list.
Closing date: 28 February 2015. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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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