Connectivity for Refugees National Coordinator

Volunteering IT & Telecom

Overview

Lead connectivity initiatives for refugees in South Sudan.

You have:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in project management and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency in English and working knowledge of another UN language is required.
• Master's degree in a relevant field such as international development, social sciences, communications, or a related discipline.
• Previous experience working in a challenging environment, preferably in humanitarian or development settings.
• Ability to work in multicultural environments and understand cultural sensitivities.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Office applications and familiarity with database management.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

[The Connectivity for Refugees National Coordinator will play a critical role in establishing the initiative, driving forward country level activities on Connectivity for Refugees in South Sudan

The incumbent will report directly to Senior Development Officer and have dotted line reporting to the Senior Innovation Officer overseeing the Connectivity for Refugees initiative in UNHCR Innovation Service. The incumbent will participate in regular bilaterals with the supervisor, and joint meetings with the dotted line management to the Innovation Service monthly to prioritize and review agreed-upon deliverables for the period. Additionally, in order to help support the Refugee Connectivity initiative, the incumbent will join multistakeholder meetings with key partners held on a regular basis in order to align and coordinate efforts on projects within the initiative. 

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Development Officer or her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Connectivity for Refugees National Coordinator will:

• Support the establishment of the global Refugee Connectivity initiative in South Sudan using established mechanisms, engaging on all relevant elements of delivery as required.

• Establish relationships with key stakeholders including Government and Regulators, Connectivity Service Providers (Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers, others), civil society et al and facilitate strong coordination through establishment of regular meetings.

• Develop country level strategy and approach in liaison with local, regional, and global counterparts.

• Oversee country level assessments and connectivity mapping, in liaison with global and local partners.

• Support in the design of Connectivity solutions plans in country and overseeing delivery.

• Coordinate with relevant UNHCR colleagues spanning Protection, Education, Livelihoods, Development, ICT et al. on relevant aspects of the initiative and how it supports their portfolios or where they are well positioned to contribute.

• Monitoring and evaluation of connectivity solutions and interventions in county to support with donor reporting.

• Support in development of national fundraising initiatives and mechanisms around Connectivity for Refugees, positioned for support from different stakeholder audiences including private sector, development actors, governments.

• Manage knowledge around the Connectivity for Refugees initiative in country, compiling data, creating reports etc.

• Liaise with support structures on Connectivity for Refugees both within UNHCR through the Innovation Service, and through the wider initiative coordination.

• Support linkages of South Sudan GRF pledges and refugee connectivity.

• Support on other activities / interventions as required.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.

13. Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs).

• Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR 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 UNHCR in daily activities and behaviors 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 behaviors; 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.

• Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies, or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)  

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.

• 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, religious and youth 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.

• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete)

• Sound security awareness.

• Have affinity with or interest in Innovation and creativity, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

• South Sudan is a difficult duty station, which is classified as a non-family duty station as there is basic infrastructure in the capital city Juba and the country.

• The highly recommended vaccination in South Sudan is Yellow Fever. Please note that without evidence of yellow fever vaccination, access to South Sudan is restricted.

• South Sudan is Security level in Juba is green. There is a UN imposed curfew from 8:00pm to 5:00am due to security and crime issues.

• The widely used currency for business transaction is the South Sudan Pounds (SSP).

• There are several mobile telephone companies including ZAIN, DIGITEL & MTN providing services and sim cards can be easily bought with cash after registration by the Service provider. There are no fixed telephone lines in South Sudan/Juba.

• There are restaurants serving food from different regions of the world. Markets and shops are well-stocked with food items, clothes, and other household goods. There are also local markets for vegetables and other farm produce. The cost of living is generally high as almost all the goods are imported.

• UN personnel are provided medical services in the UN Agency clinic. Other medical services can be obtained at the UNMISS Level 2 hospital.

• As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org