Programme Assistant

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 United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide and has its headquarters in Bonn-Germany. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world.

The UNV Multi-Country Field Unit in Pretoria is mainly accountable for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in 5 countries covered by the Multi-Country Field Unit (South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Botswana) focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. The UNV Multi-Country Field Unit represents and positions UNV in the respective countries and brings UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society and private sector.

Under the supervision of the Programme Analyst (Multi-Country Coordinator), the Programme Assistant provides administrative and operational assistance in UNV Multi-Country Field Unit, in support of volunteer mobilization and deployment, as well as administrative and operational support to volunteers in the countries in close coordination with UNDP Focal Points. He/she is expected to demonstrate a client-oriented approach, high sense of maturity and responsibility, courtesy, tact and ability to work with people from diverse national and cultural backgrounds.

Under the supervision of the UNV Multi-country Coordinator, the Programme Assistant will undertake the following tasks in the countries in close coordination with UNDP Focal Points:

• Support the deployment and assignment management of all UN Volunteer modalities • Support the recruitment of national UN Volunteers, including updating and maintaining a national UN Volunteers local candidate talent pool in coordination with the Volunteer Services Centre (VSC) • Support UNV Recruiters to contact potential candidates to check their interest and availability for national assignments • Follow up with potential candidates to complete required documentation in UVP. • Support arrangement of interviews in consultation with host institutions/Invite shortlisted candidates for interviews • Support preparation of interview reports and uploading into UVP • Facilitate government clearance and entry visas of incoming UN Volunteers and their recognized dependents • Prepare briefing packs and arrange orientation/security briefings for new UN Volunteers • Interact with newly deployed UN Volunteers to ensure successful settlement and integration with host institutions • Ensure that arrival entitlements are processed by the VSC team on time • Maintain personal files of UNVs ensuring that all correspondence and matters requiring action are brought to the attention of the Programme Analyst • Provide required input, where appropriate, in managing and monitoring assignments i.e. keep track of contractual status of all volunteers including contract extensions, resignations, terminations and follow up on respective replacements. • Assist UN Volunteers to submit appropriate background documentation for processing any other entitlements due to volunteers. • Maintain up to date lists of serving volunteers, maintain up to date leave records of all UN Volunteers and support separating UN Volunteers with exit formalities. • Assist in planning and coordinating UNV events – International Volunteer Day, UNV Retreats, innovative initiatives and any other activities which promote volunteerism and celebrate strengths and contributions of 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

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.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Communication • Flexibility

• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in administration and/or programme management and/or programme support services. • Experience in office and HR management is an added asset. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Sound ICT skills: MS Word Package, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., and social media. • Experience in handling web-based management systems is highly desirable. • Experience with volunteer management or volunteering 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; • 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;

Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is one of the country’s two capital cities serving as the executive (administrative) and de facto national capital. It offers excellent living conditions with various types of world-class available facilities. Housing is readily available, and rents can be negotiated. Infrastructure, internet connectivity, roads, utilities, telecommunications are of a high standard. Airbnb and Uber are in common use. The other city is Cape Town, the legislative capital. Pretoria is classified as an A duty station, and South Africa is in security phase 1. Like in other big cities with significant crime rates, caution must be exercised always.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.