Program Associate

Contract

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

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through a dual mandate – to mobilize volunteers for the United Nations System and to advocate for the importance of volunteerism in development worldwide. UN Volunteers is supporting the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) mission to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. Aligned with national priorities and UN Sustainable Development Framework for Jordan, UNICEF contributes towards six outcome areas, namely: Youth and Adolescent Development; Education; Child Protection; Health and Nutrition; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; and Social Protection. In the context of the protracted Syria Crisis, Jordan hosts 1.3 million Syrians, including over 650,000 Syrian refugees. There is an increasing need for positive engagement opportunities for Syrian and Jordanian youth and adolescents to contribute to social cohesion and prevention of violence, thereby enhancing stability in Jordan. UNICEF is scaling up a comprehensive youth programme, bringing opportunities for social, civic, and economic engagement to marginalized youth across the country.

UNV and UNICEF have designed initiatives aimed at promoting more diversity within UNICEF Workforce in MENA region, increasing staff capacities and strengthening the emergency response preparedness through the deployment of skilled and motivated UN Volunteers.

In order to support the implementation of these initiatives as well as to foster knowledge about UN Volunteers among different UNICEF Operations in the Arab Region, this recruitment of two dedicated UN Volunteers is required. The UN Volunteers will be assigned to provide programmatic, administrative and logistic support to different sections in UNICEF MENA RO.

National UN Youth Volunteers in Jordan are entitled for:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 854.8;
• Annual and learning leaves;
• Free Medical and life insurance; and
• Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of section, the National UN Youth Volunteer will:

• Help in preparing periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to country office and donors to support the office in optimizing the use of programme funds; • Support capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises; • Help in organising internal and external meetings and workshops to the relevant sections; • Carry out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs), and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary; • Carry out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section including but not limited to registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants; • Prepare, monitor and report information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results; • Regularly monitor budgets and financial expenditures of the section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

-Results/Expected Outputs: • UNICEF strategic goals in the areas where support is needed, are well addressed; • Different programs in UNICEF are well supported.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, 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 UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours 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 behaviour; 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; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

(up to 2 years) in (Program management, budget management and office tasks. and; • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship).

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 insurance plan.