Junior Social Inclusion Officer

Contract

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

UNESCO in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean works to equip stakeholders with the capacities, tools and resources to produce and make meaningful use of policy-relevant, whole-of-society and human-rights-based social and human scientific research and knowledge, thus promoting resilient, inclusive and peaceful societies. Within this framework, programmatic areas include History and intercultural dialogue; youth development and civic engagement; inclusion, anti-discrimination and human rights; social science research for addressing inequalities; ethics of science and frontier technologies and sports for development. In order to put the spotlight on the specific vulnerabilities and potentials of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a UNESCO priority group, the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean works to produce and share social and human sciences knowledge and policy recommendations that are grounded in Caribbean realities. The Social and Human Sciences sector in the Caribbean places its focus on interventions promoting social inclusion and peacebuilding, addressing intersecting inequalities, and connecting Caribbean research to practice.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Social and Human Sciences, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the overall implementation and monitoring of the Social and Human Sciences programme and activities for the 2022-2023 biennium. Priority areas include social inclusion and anti-discrimination, advancing gender equality, youth engagement, and the rights of persons with disabilities, social science research, fostering peacebuilding and Caribbean history and identity in the contextual realities and priorities of Small Island Development States (SIDS); • Conduct desk research, literature reviews, and provide support in the elaboration of concept notes and knowledge products relevant to the implementation of the Sector’s Programme for the 2022-2023 biennium.
• Contribute to the organization of capacity development actions (Caribbean-wide, national and trans-regional) such as workshops, trainings and webinars, with different stakeholders such as youth and policy-makers – whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person. • Contribute with documenting success stories, lessons learned and best practices including drafting news items and human-interest stories, as well as supporting the organization of communication and advocacy activities for the Social and Human Sciences programme to ensure visibility of results. • Provide inputs for the preparation of progress reports, presentations, and talking points. • Maintain communications with UNESCO Office’s Youth cohorts and strengthen UNESCO’s network of youth in the Caribbean sub-region. • Ensure information sharing with relevant stakeholders, including youth, in relation to activities implemented.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Working in Teams

/ or demonstrated interest in: • Social Inclusion
• Gender Equality • Youth Engagement

Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

The incumbent will be based at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean in Kingston, Jamai-ca. Kingston is designated a Hardship Category “A” duty station. No special precautions or conditions apply to staff members locating to this duty station.

Jamaica is a Caribbean country with a total population of approximately 2.9 million inhabitants and Kingston is its capital city. Living conditions are relatively good depending on the location. There is a good supply of water and electricity supply island wide. Housing conditions are of varying quality depending on the area. Travelers to Jamaica are advised to take normal securi-ty precautions required in larger cities and will receive a security briefing upon arrival to note areas to avoid.

Jamaica has a rich and diverse culture blended from around the world. The official language of Jamaica is English; however, one is most likely to hear the local dialect, Patois (Jamaican Creole). There are a number of international franchises and established local companies that will find the right accommodation for expatriates. Colleagues in the international community are also a good reference point for housing and other related services. Jamaica has over 16 public and 6 private hospitals located around the island. Jamaica offers excellent food and dining options from casual dining experiences to fine restaurants.

Banks and ATMs are available to meet financial needs. The currency used is the Jamaican Dollar (JMD) and the rate of exchange with the United States Dollar is USD1.00: JMD 154.04 (the rate fluctuates daily). Credit cards and traveller’s cheques are widely accepted. The USD is a legal tender and several businesses will accept payment at the prevailing rate of ex-change. The USD can be changed at local commercial banks and Cambios. Hotels and Res-taurants accept payments via USD and Master and Visa cards.

Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the south eastern coast of the island, facing a natural harbour. This is where UN agencies are based and where the UN Volunteer will be working from. Jamaica has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet-and-dry climate, that borders on a hot-semi arid climate, characterised by a wet season from May to November, which coincides with the hurricane season, and a dry season from December to April. During the dry season, there is not much rainfall, however, cold and stationary fronts occur at this time and often bring heavy showers, especially in March. Kingston is on a coastal location, hence it comes under the influence of the sea, though dense urban development can negate this effect. In the 21st century, Kingston has experienced temperatures as high as 38.8 °C (102 °F) and as low as 13.4 °C (56 °F). Kingston plays a central role in Jamaica’s econo-my.

Living conditions:

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance.

Travel to duty station will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and exit allowance for satisfactory service.

Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), Expertise differential, Entry / Exit lump sums, among others, are available at: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at: https://explore.unv.org/cos.