Community Mobilization and Capacity Building Coordinator

Contract

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

Since December 2020, UN Women is implementing a project “Fostering economic empowerment of women farmers by supporting homemade dairy production in Georgia through the Farmer Field Schools approach” in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Agency (FAO), funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). The overall goal of the project is to Enhance resilience and foster economic empowerment of women dairy producers in Samegrelo and Abkhazia, Georgia. The project aims to deliver on the following outcomes: Outcome 1: Rural women improve their homemade dairy products, with a focus on food safety, through learning delivered in Farmer Field Schools (implementation led by FAO) Outcome 2: Rural women engaged in dairy production acquire and use leadership, economic and social skills to be self-employed and/or expand their income-generation activities, while promoting gender equality (implementation led by UN Women). The project aims at providing technical assistance through community-led field trainings to rural women active in small-scale dairy production in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia and in Abkhazia, Georgia in particular those who are in charge of cheese production for sale. In Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, the project aims at supporting smallholder dairy producers in adapting production methods to AA/ Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) related food safety regulations for homemade production of dairy products for commercial use. The project promotes the creation and maintenance of 40 Farmer Field Schools focused on women and dairy production. The curricula of the Farmer Field Schools implemented under this project has two components: a technical one designed by FAO experts together with advanced local women dairy producers. A second component, developed by UN Women partners, that focuses on women’s economic empowerment generally, including access to relevant information and resources, on strengthening of managerial, decision-making, basic financial literacy, women’s rights and leadership skills. The UN Women Sub-Office in Sukhumi, where the UN Volunteer will be located, currently consists of three local UN Women personnel: Head of UN Women Sub-Office, Project Analyst and a Project Assistant/Driver, who are supported by UN Women programme, finance and operation staff based in the UN Women Office in Tbilisi. The UN Women Sub- Office in Sukhumi is co-located with other UN agencies, including FAO, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDSS and WHO. Head of the Sub-Office is directly reporting to UN Women Representative in Tbilisi, and the UN Volunteer reports to the Head of the Sub-Office. The programmatic work of Sukhumi Sub-Office in the Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) thematic area is guided by UN Women EVAW portfolio manager, while in the area of Women’s Economic Empowerment is (WEE) guided by UN Women WEE Programme Analyst both based in UN Women Tbilisi Office. The tasks and duties of UN Volunteer are agreed and clearly stipulated in an individual work plan, developed in a participatory manner and in coordination with the Head of Sukhumi Sub-Office and UN Women EVAW portfolio manager and WEE portfolio manager.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Sub-Office, the UN Volunteer Community Mobilization and Capacity Building Coordinator will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

• Assist in negotiating agreements and setting up implementation mechanisms partners and ensure that agreements are established in conformity with UN Women programme and financial rules and regulation; • Support the Head of UN Women Sub-Office in review the implementation and performance of project activities, including through appropriate physical monitoring to evaluate the projects by reviewing work plans, progress reports, budget, financial reports and expenditures; undertake field visits as required; • Undertake proper collection, monitoring and use of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze programme performance, trends and target interventions; • Develop and conduct training sessions for grassroots’ women on women’s rights and gender equality topics; • Take part in the assessment of needs of local communities, and develop relevant tools; • Use the existing tools to assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level. • Assist in ensuring compliance in issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners; • Draft minutes from the meetings, the monitoring and other reports (as specified in the individual work plan) to ensure proper documentation of project activities along with an impact and solutions achieved; • Support establishment and maintenance of partnerships and cooperation among civil society organizations (CSOs) and volunteers working on WEE and related issues • Support the Head of Sub-Office in coordinating UN Women/FAO initiatives with other UN Agencies located in Sukhumi; • Liaise and coordinate with UN Women Office staff as per her/his duties in the individual work plan; and • Provide any other relevant support to the supervisor and/or the Head of Sub-Office, related to UN Women’s mandate and project aims, through performing other duties.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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 International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferable to UN Women procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Women in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

relevant professional experience • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, women’s organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Experience of conflict sensitivity programming is an asset; • Have affinity with or interest in gender equality and women’s empowerment, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development and the UN System.

Sukhumi is the principal city of the breakaway region Abkhazia. Abkhazia has rich history and culture, and is located on a wide bay of the eastern coast of the Black Sea. It serves as a port, rail junction and a holiday resort and has been known for its beaches, sanatoriums, mineral-water spas throughout the former Soviet Union. Backed by the high alpine peaks of the Great Caucasus Mountain, Sukhumi has a subtropical climate, that is almost cool enough in summer to be an oceanic climate. The city is served by several trolleybus and bus routes. Sukhumi is connected to other Abkhazian towns by bus routes.

According to the data available (2018), approximately the total population of Sukhumi is 65,000. The population is represented by diverse ethnic groups around 67% of population consists of ethnic Abkhaz, with the population of some other ethnic groups like Armenians, Greeks, Georgians and Russian. Sukhumi hosts the large presence of international community.

The medical facility in Sukhumi provides basic services however the international level of medical services is available in the Tbilisi controlled area (e.g. Zugdidi and Batumi) for international UNVs. Working in Abkhazia is a unique opportunity and a privilege for the United Nations personnel. It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of culture awareness and political sensitivity as well as strong commitment to serve for women and girls in conflict affected areas.

Since the mid-1990s, United Nations entities and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have been working in Abkhazia with the aim of improving living conditions for conflict-affected, displaced and vulnerable communities as well as improving the enabling environment for lasting peace. Their engagement has expanded over time and activities are currently under way in all districts of Abkhazia. UN Women works under the partnerships framework Abkhazia Strategic Partnerships to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of international assistance in support of people in Abkhazia, building on an existing strategic cooperation between UNHCR and a group of INGOs.

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). • Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 2082 • Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 • Exit allowance: USD 225 (for each month served, paid on completion of contract) • Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance • Leave entitlements; Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month / Certified sick leave: 30 days / Uncertified sick leave: 7 days / Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months / Maternity Leave: 16 weeks / Paternity Leave: 10 days