Programme and Partnership Specialist

Volunteering

Overview

Support UXO program effectiveness and capacity building for partners

You have:

• 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian responses or international development projects.
• Specialist knowledge and experience in result-based reporting and editing.
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills.
• Good understanding of result-based management concepts and approaches.
• Conversant with standard office computer software and basic database software suitable for MEL data management.
• Familiarity with UNDP's rules and regulations.
• Institutional capacity-building experience and delivering training.
• Excellent written and oral English skills, including drafting and reporting abilities.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.
• Ability to work self-motivated with minimum supervision and under tight deadlines.

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.

In April 2022, the UNDP Lao PDR and the Government of Lao PDR launched a five-year (2022-2026) UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) programme entitled “Supporting Effectiveness and Efficiency in the UXO Sector to contribute to the achievement of SDG 18 and Safe Path Forward III (SPF III)”. Through this programme, UNDP provides programmatic and technical support for the national institutions within the UXO sector to pursue targets as set out in the Lao Government’s 9th NSEDP (2021-2025), as well as NRA’s (The National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Lao PDR) work plan for accelerated Survey and Clearance, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and Victim Assistance (VA) activities, both in line with the Government of Lao PDR’s obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).

The key outcomes of this project include support to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including enhanced support to livelihoods activities for affected populations, improved efficiency of clearance operations; significant progress in the effort to establish a national baseline of UXO contamination; improved transparency in results reporting, improved transparency in financial reporting; improved coordination of sector activities through enhanced management of information; updated National Standards and appropriate policy frameworks; progress against the obligations of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the articulation of a sustainability strategy for the sector; improved capacity for monitoring and evaluating the sector’s development outcomes; and improved policy for support to UXO survivors. The project is aligned with the Government of Lao’s NSEDP as well as national ten-year UXO sector strategic plan, Safe Path Forward III, and relevant international conventions, and norms. It will contribute to progress towards achieving the national SDG 18.

These cross-cutting outcomes support SDG1: No Poverty, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Lao PDR’s SDG 18: Lives Safe from UXO.

Under the direct supervision of UNDP UXO Portfolio Manager/Unit head, or his/her designated representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide project support to partners and assistance with compliance functions, especially for reporting and editing, through capacity building:

a. Support and train the Implementing Partners (lPs) in best practices in formulation, implementation and monitoring of key strategic documents; b. Provide support to and training of Programme Units of the NRA and UXO Lao to ensure that programme formulation, design and implementation adhere to principles of results-based management policy; c. Support to IPs and training of relevant staff on report and proposal writing aimed at ensuring good quality products, such as donor proposals, annual reports, and specific donor reports; d. Review and edit reports, including sector and donor reports of the UXO Programme; e. Support to evaluations, audits and spot checks; f. Create solid follow-up systems on implementation of recommendations (e.g. Gender and Diversity Action Plan, Action Plan for audit findings etc.); g. Support initiatives that promote/contribute to the cohesion and synergies between the programme, finance and other relevant teams in the NRA and UXO Lao such as resource planning and management, reporting, and development of proposals.

2. Support the joint field monitoring missions among UNDP / NRA / UXO Lao. a. The UNV Specialist will be required to undertake missions to project sites as required and approved by the UNDP Country Office. Regular field monitoring of UXO operators would assist the NRA & UXO Lao to: i. Reinforce good working relationships and mutual understanding be-tween UXO operators, provincial NRA offices and local authorities; ii. Support in the assessment of the compliance of UXO operators with the activities and approaches outlined in the project documents and operational work plans; iii. Collect valuable local context information and feedback about the effects of the implementation of the NRA’s official policies and technical guidelines, and how NRA policies interact with other sec-tors of the Government of Lao PDR; iv. Support the follow-up surveys including Post-Clearance Impact Assessment (PCIA) to assess the UXO sector’s contribution to rural development, community health and safety, and implementation of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey recommendations and Gender and Diversity Action Plan. v. Gather information (task work plans and reports, photographs and testimony from UXO operator staff, local authorities and/or land-owners) to produce case studies for internal and external reports and presentations.

3. Develop monitoring tools to capture evidence to prove UNDP’s contributions to project management and include the findings in the quarterly and annual project progress reports and donor reports.

The UNV Specialist will also support the preparation of improved plans and develop project proposals, based on practical information gathered during field monitoring missions.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Empowering Others Ethics and Values Integrity Knowledge Sharing Managing Performance Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams

humanitarian responses or international development projects or programmes, preferably in the field of disaster risk reduction, risk communication and UXO/Mine actions, including at least two years with direct responsibility for managing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning systems. • Specialist knowledge and experience in result-based reporting and editing. • Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills. • Good understanding of result-based management concepts and approaches. • Conversant with standard office computer software and basic database software (Access, Excel, etc.) suitable for MEL data management. • Familiarity with UNDP’s rules and regulations. • Institutional capacity-building experience and delivering training. • Excellent English oral and written skills, excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and editing skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills and culturally as well as socially sensitive. • Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and specialist organizations, and authorities of various positions and levels. • 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. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision. • Ability to work with tight deadlines. • Sound security awareness. • Have an interest in International Development, Mine Action, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development and the UN System.

The position will be based in the capital, Vientiane. Living conditions in Vientiane are comfortable but residents must make concessions due to the tropical climate and under-developed infrastructure, including health facilities.

Vientiane is a relatively safe place to live in, with violent crime incidents very rare. However, single females should be vigilant if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups.

The biggest hazards relate to traffic accidents; hence utmost care should be exerted when in traffic, especially when riding a motorbike. Volunteers must have a motorbike licence to ride a motorbike in Lao PDR.

The Vientiane entertainment scene is still quiet and to avoid feeling lonely, the person should be proactive in forming friendships and hence should be ready to make the best of e.g. the UNV Buddy Programme.

There is a wide range of housing options in Vientiane located within easy reach of the UNDP office. Houses or apartments are usually of good standards. All basic commodities can be bought in Vientiane and its immediate vicinity. The UNV Office in Laos will assist the UNV in finding adequate accommodation. House shares with 3-4 people are most common, but single apartments are also available.

Vientiane’s city centre is full of restaurants, shops, bars, and internet cafes with many lined up along the Mekong River.

Laos is a former French colony but is looking towards modernism despite its huge historical and cultural legacy.

Surrounded by China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, Laos has established a business-friendly environment over the years. It thus attracts foreign investment and provides many professional opportunities to expatriates.

Lao people are friendly and show tolerance and an open-minded approach to visitors in their country, but their culture and values should always be respected.

Lao is a unique and mysterious country. It provides an interesting and enriching environment but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as some commitment to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and will to adapt are necessary to live in a lovely yet developing country.

Special Remarks:

This assignment also opens for candidates younger than 27 years of age!

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org