Field Associate

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 Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Field Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Field Associate will: - Monitor the situation in the AoR, collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly. - Monitor the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure. - Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups. - Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor. - Act as interpreter when required. - Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by providing info, preparing tables, etc. - Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions. - Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities. - In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR. - Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern. - Represent UNHCR in physical monitoring of projects. - Perform other related duties as required.

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.

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: o Provision of adequate protection of refugees in Lasi and Vasuli municipalities. o Support functioning programme with timely reports, revisions, rendering of accounts, installments and overall efficiency in assistance delivery and direct implementation activities. o Support the Implementation cash-based initiatives, provision of border monitoring and supervise core relief item distribution. o Refugees and other people of concern receive humanitarian assistance and local integration support. o Engage and liaise with different actors to build a network to monitor the protection environment and border areas. o Well-functioning UNHCR presence in Iasi with timely reports, administrative control, premises, equipment maintenance, and rendering of accounts, according to UNHCR rules and regulations. o Support the role out of interagency and UNHCR monitoring tools. • 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 • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

or bachelor’s degree with less than a year of relevant experience required. • Those with only a high school diploma, at least three years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project management, social work, public administration or business administration, or other relevant programmes; experience with refugees responses is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • 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. • The incumbent should have strong interpersonal skills and maturity to liaise with government officials and build collaborative respectful relationships with all stakeholders. • 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. • Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

Romania is a country located in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary. The country has a rich history that starting with the ancient Dacian civilization over 2,000 years ago. Over the centuries, Romania has been shaped by various other powers, including the Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, and the Soviet Union.

After the fall of communism in 1989, Romania transitioned to a democratic government and market economy, which has resulted in significant economic growth and development. However, Romania still faces various challenges, including corruption, a relatively high level of poverty compared to other European countries, and social inequality. Romania has been a member of the United Nations since 1955, NATO since 2004 and the European Union (EU) since 2007.

As of 2022, Romania has an estimated population of approximately 19.5 million people, making it the seventh most populous member state of the European Union. The majority of the population lives in urban areas, with the largest cities being Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, and Constanța. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to a variety of ethnic traditions, customs, and languages.

Romania has a diverse population, with ethnic Romanians comprising the majority of the population (roughly 84%), and the official language is Romanian. There are also significant ethnic Hungarian and Roma populations, as well as other minority groups such as Germans, Ukrainians, and Turks. The majority of Romania's population identify themselves as Eastern Orthodox Christians, The Romanian Orthodox Church is the largest and traditional church of the country.

Overall, Romania's geographic position and population make it a unique and diverse country, with a rich cultural history and a thriving contemporary society. In terms of climate, Romania has a temperate-continental climate, with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C, while winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures periodically dropping below the freezing point in the whole country. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: 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). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): RON 6000 Entry lump sum (one time payment) USD 400 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): RON 500 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