Inclusive Development Officer

Volunteering Finance & Economy Human Resources Communications & PR

Overview

Coordinate UNSDCF and promote volunteerism.

You have:

• Fluency in French and English, including strong drafting/writing skills in both languages, is required.
• Experience in a humanitarian context in the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.
• Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and communication/graphic design software is a plus.
• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries with excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity is essential.
• Demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to RCO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to RCO procedures and rules.
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner.
• 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.

Contract

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

The Office of the Resident Coordinator (ORC) encompasses all United Nations System (UNS) organizations with operational activities related to development at country level, regardless of their official presence. Recognizing that development, peace and security, and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and that development is a central objective and key element of the overall framework of UN operational action for development, the RCB contributes to responding effectively to the needs, priorities and challenges of program countries. Within the RCB, the Resident Coordinator (RC) leads the UN Country Team (UNCT) and coordinates UN operational activities to ensure the alignment of UN assistance with national development plans and priorities, and capacity building in the context of international treaty obligations and development goals. In addition, the RC supports and promotes the UN's responsibilities in preventing and responding to violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including the responsibilities of UN entities and personnel in this regard.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Inclusive Development Officer will:

1. Strategic Coordination of UNSDCF Thematic and Results Groups • Serve as RCO focal point for the Results Group on Population under the UNSDCF, focusing on “Inclusion and Equitable Access to Quality Basic Social Services”, and support co-chairs with joint work planning, joint programming, and reporting. • Supporting UNCT efforts on disability inclusion by coordinating the Gender, Human Rights, and Inclusion Thematic Working Group, tracking progress on the UN Youth2030 and UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, and implementing the UNCT Disability Inclusion Scorecard. • Ensure Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) principles are integrated across UNSDCF programs and analyses and contribute to briefing notes on vulnerable groups at risk of exclusion, informing the annual UN Common Country Analysis (CCA). • Support the RCO Data Management Officer in collecting and analyzing data for annual normative surveys on gender, youth, and disability.

2. Promotion of the volunteerism • Support the Partnerships and Development Finance Officer in monitoring thematic funds related to gender, disability, and youth, including the Spotlight Initiative, UN Youth Solidarity Fund, UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and other LNOB-focused funds. • Support/Assist the Partnership and Resources Mobilization Officer in resource mobilization efforts to implement joint programmes and cross-cutting initiatives such as the spotlight, gender, disability inclusion, and youth promotion while ensuring that the volunteering aspect is considered in implementing interventions.

3. General Coordination Support and Communications • Work closely with the RCO Communications Officer to develop written, multimedia, and social media content for websites, platforms, reports, and newsletters. • Support the preparation of the UNCT Annual Report and other written documents. • Participate in knowledge networks and communities of practice related to coordination, sharing insights, and providing feedback on global practices and innovative ideas within the RCO team; • Assist with day-to-day RCO operations by organizing documents, maintaining the shared drive, ensure timely preparation and distribution of notes, meeting minutes, reports, and analyses; • Perform any other duties as 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 during 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 taking an 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 online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever possible.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to RCO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to RCO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; 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; • 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; • 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 the 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.

• Fluency in French and English, including strong drafting/writing skills in both languages, is required. • Experience in a humanitarian context in the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable. • Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and communication/graphic design software is a plus.

The Central African Republic (CAR) is classified as a non-family duty station with challenging security conditions and a demanding work environment. Strict adherence to security protocols issued by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is mandatory across all duty stations. The country’s security level is rated at Level 4, restricting movement to official travel only. A curfew is currently in effect from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. CAR is a landlocked country with limited travel options, surrounded by nations facing volatile security situations. The socio-political climate remains unstable, characterized by frequent social unrest and heightened urban crime, particularly in the capital, Bangui. Regular power outages and water shortages further complicate living conditions. Crime rates have risen since the March 2013 SELEKA coup and the subsequent turmoil in December 2013, contributing to widespread insecurity among both locals and expatriates. The country heavily depends on the seaport in Douala, Cameroon, located 1,500 km away. This reliance often results in shortages of essential goods. Transporting goods from Douala to Bangui typically takes about a week due to poor road conditions and numerous roadblocks. These challenges place significant stress on personnel. Medical infrastructure is limited, and healthcare services are often unreliable. The high cost of living and scarcity of basic goods further complicate daily life. While supermarkets offer a range of products, prices are steep. Fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables, is available in local markets. No UN guesthouse exists in Bangui, and private housing options are limited. Securing accommodation that meets UN security standards can take several weeks. Most UN personnel rent apartments or houses within the local economy. While more housing is now available compared to previous years, costs remain high. Shared accommodations are recommended. Currently, all UN Volunteers have access to adequate housing that meets minimum comfort standards. Rental prices range from approximately USD 1,000 per month for a small, basically furnished apartment without a power generator and with intermittent water supply to over USD 2,000 for fully equipped housing with reliable utilities. Basic medical care is provided through a UN dispensary, and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. Additionally, a Level II Hospital operated by a military medical team is available. A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been in place since August 2013, offering breaks every six weeks for all CAR duty stations. Working in the Central African Republic, particularly within the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), offers a unique and enriching professional experience. However, it requires a high degree of cultural sensitivity, security awareness, and resilience. Flexibility, along with the ability and willingness to live and work under harsh, potentially hazardous conditions with limited comfort, is essential for success in this environment.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 4 days ago - Source: unv.org