Field Assistant - Jaffna

Legal Communications & PR

Overview

Engage and analyze fisheries sector for trafficking in persons.

You have:

• Experience engaging with local communities, particularly vulnerable groups, to gather qualitative and quantitative data is required.
• Familiarity with collecting and analyzing data related to maritime safety, security, and/or labour conditions in coastal and fishing communities is an asset.
• Familiarity with data collection methodologies, including conducting surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions is an asset.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• 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.
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

The UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) supports member states to respond to challenges affecting maritime domain. The mission of the UNODC GMCP is to improve the capabilities of member states through the improvement of the entire criminal justice systems to prevent, interdict, investigate, and prosecute maritime crime, through a sound rule of law framework and effective international cooperation.  The Programme focuses on each element of the criminal justice chain, including prevention, deterrence, detection/interdiction, investigation, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and regional cooperation. In doing so, GMCP develops, inter alia, targeted assessments and operational analyses, and supports capacity building and infrastructure development for relevant agencies.

Recently, UNODC GMCP has emphasized the critical need for a deeper understanding of trafficking in persons within the fisheries sector of the Eastern Indian Ocean as well as the opportunities to combat these crimes in the region. Trafficking in person in the fisheries sector not only jeopardizes vulnerable populations, women and girls, often disproportionately affected, face unique vulnerabilities in this sector, contributing to gender-specific exploitation patterns. Therefore, addressing these crimes requires a gender-sensitive approach to protect and empower all individuals, ensuring interventions are inclusive and effective.

To this end, UNODC GMCP has initiated an operational analysis on trafficking in persons (TiP) in the fisheries sector within the South Asian littoral States. This assignment aims to support the data collection for this analysis focusing on identifying potential patterns of TiP within the fisheries sector, with particular attention to its gender dimensions and related dynamics. The objective is to deepen the understanding of the range of vulnerability factors and forms of exploitation impacting individuals in this sector.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNODC GMCP IOE Programme Support Officer for Sri Lanka, and overall direction of Regional Programme Coordinator of UNODC GMCP-IOE team, The Community UN Volunteer is expected to perform the following tasks:

Engage with and interview fishing communities to gather data on labor practices, the role of women, and any potential trafficking indicators in distant-water fleets at sea.

Ensure accurate recording of interviews, using the questionnaires developed by UNODC GMCP. This would help the UNVs in collecting information on the local challenges in the fisheries sector (focusing on economic conditions, recruitment practices, labour conditions and other vulnerabilities potentially leading to TiP), as well as the such as exposure to gender-based violence, including harassment and abuse).

Collaborate with Labor inspectors and conduct interviews with them to understand their role in monitoring labor conditions and preventing exploitation and gather information on the frequency and effectiveness of inspections in fisheries and fish-processing areas.

Document any local practices that could be linked to trafficking at sea, such as the exploitation through recruitment, sexual exploitation or gender-based violence.

Provide feedback on the challenges faced during field interviews and any key trends observed.

Work closely with local organizations to ensure that information is shared in a culturally sensitive manner.

Participate in debriefing sessions to discuss findings and assist in compiling data for the final study report.

Accountability

Adaptability and flexibility

Creativity

Judgement and decision-making

Planning and organising

Professionalism

Self-management

engaging with local communities, particularly vulnerable groups, to gather qualitative and quantitative data is required, 1-2 years of experience is preferred.

Familiarity with collecting and analyzing data related to maritime safety, security, and/or labour conditions in coastal and fishing communities is an asset;

Familiarity with data collection methodologies, including conducting surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions is an asset;

Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;

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

Accuracy and professionalism in data collection;

Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with community members, youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of data collection;

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 Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and 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;

Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the south coast of India. An estimated population of around 21 million people is sheltered in this multi-ethnic, multi- cultural and multi- religious country. Colombo is situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. The city is located on the west coast of the island, adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Bandaranaike International Airport is located 35km from Colombo and is served by the main international airlines. Sri Lanka is a tropical country with moderate temperature and high humidity all throughout the year. Average temperature in Colombo ranges between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. The island experiences two main monsoon seasons, where heavy rainfalls occur, from May to August and October to January. Rice and curry comprise the main dishes. Sri Lankan cuisine tends to be quite spicy. There are hotels and other types of accommodation options available in Colombo. Supermarkets, banking and medical facilities are present within the city. Telephone and Internet service is widely available. Phone plans and data are inexpensive; however, it should not be expected that the internet services work consistently or at a high speed. At present Sri Lanka is undergoing high inflation and an economic crisis. The public unrest and protests are common. The prices of common commodities fluctuate on a daily basis and shortages can also be experienced. Main health advisories are related COVID 19 and Dengue, which is also highly prevalent in Sri Lanka, especially after the rainy seasons. Mosquito repellent is available in all local drug stores. Sri Lanka is a unique country and UN is providing unique humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more resilience and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in challenging conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious acts insurance plan.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

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