Communications and Program Support Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

The Communications and Program Support Officer provides support to communications work and overall management of UNV Lao programme.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Program Coordinator, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support a review, an update and the implementation of the Field Unit communications strategy • Support a monitoring of social media communications post and responding to corporate requirement on communications • Assist the management of the recruitment, pre-departure, onboarding, and assignment completion procedures of UNVs in collaboration with host agencies and Volunteer Ser-vice Centre • Assist in a review and an update of UNV mobilization strategy for Lao Field Unit • Assist in research on human resource demand of UN agencies to identify entry point for new UN partners to seek to diversify the mobilization of UNV • Assist in a review and an update of UNV buddy program to support UNVs in their onboarding process • Conduct surveys and create initiative to help support UNVs during their assignments with an aim to increase volunteers’ satisfaction and positive experiences

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Managing Performance ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

and/or demonstrated interest (up to two years) in communications, youth engagement, coordination, event organization, volunteering, business administration, human resource development/management. Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Living conditions in Vientiane are relatively good and comfortable but residents must make concessions due to the tropical climate and underdeveloped infrastructure, especially health facilities. The UN Clinic provides health services for all staff and dependents but for some specialized treatments it is necessary to seek health care outside Laos.

Most commodities may be purchased in Vientiane. 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. Bag snatching and traf-fic accidents are number one hazards in the capital.

Whilst traveling in the Lao provinces, staff will experience more hardship due to lack of infra-structure and general commodities. There is a wide range of housing options in Vientiane lo-cated within easy reach of the UN House (where UNV offices are located). Houses or apart-ments are usually of good standards. All basic commodities can be bought in Vientiane and its immediate vicinity. House shares with 3-4 people are most common but single apartments are also available.

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. Vientiane’s city centre is full of restaurants, shops, bars and in-ternet cafes all line up along the Mekong river.