Project Assistant – Access to Justice

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.

In the area of ending violence against women (VAW), UN Women Turkey works towards improving access to justice for women and ensuring quality, integrated and victim/survivor-centred multisectoral services for all women and girls, based on Turkey’s national policy and legal commitments, including the Law No. 6284 - Protect Family and Prevent Violence against Women and the 4th National Action Plan on Combating Violence against Women and with international norms and standards, in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW) and CEDAW General Recommendations 33 and 35. In early 2022, UN Women Turkey, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice launched the project “Strengthening Women’s Access to Justice and Improving Response of Judicial System for More Effective Implementation of Legislation in Combating Violence against Women in Turkey (Access to Justice)”. This one-year project is implemented with the support of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The overall objective of the project is to increase women’s access to justice by focusing on better implementation of the national law in line with international standards and in improved functioning of relevant justice mechanisms. The project aims to strengthen implementation of the Law No. 6284 to Protect Family and Prevent Violence against Women and to improve the response of the justice system to violence against women, in line with international norms, standards, and legal framework, to which Turkey is a party.

Within the scope of the Access to Justice Project, UN Women intends to hire a Project Assistant based in Ankara, reporting to the Programme Analyst and providing administrative support in day-to-day implementation of activities. The Project Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Communications and other project teams for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Analyst, the National UN Volunteer Specialist will be responsible for:

1. Administrative and logistical support to implementation of activities under Access to Justice project

• Provide administrative support in day-to-day implementation of activities under Access to Justice project, including in the preparation of work plans, budgets, and proposals on implementation arrangements, including tracking the delivery of funds • Support the Access to Justice team in the organization of events, workshops, trainings under the project. In particular: prepare invitation letters, contact participants, ensure collection of all relevant documentation related to travel of participants, prepare background materials for meetings and events, etc. • Participate in meetings, training sessions, conferences and other programmatic events and prepare reports/minutes as required • Provide support related to the logistics and organisation of travel under Access to Justice project, including drafting travel mission plans and preparing travel authorizations and logistical information. Ensures Travel Claims are properly filled, and original documents kept on file • Maintaining mailing lists • Support with filing system in the office and ensure documentation as per UN Women rules and guidelines • Drafts routine correspondence and provide assistance with English – Turkish translation, as needed • Support full compliance of administrative activities with UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and strategies.

2. Provision of procurement and financial support under Access to Justice project • Provide support with the collection of offers for selection of venues, services etc., in line with UN Women procurement rules • Create requisitions in Atlas for financial processes under the project • Receive invoices for procurement of goods and services and submit them to the buyer and finance unit for creation of purchase orders and payments in a timely manner. Ensure that correct information on vendors is provided. • Draft and create payment requests for pre-approval. Ensure all original financial records are kept on file, including both vendor and partner contracts and documentation • Support the operational procedures and completing documentation on the preparation, selection, and payment processes for the national/ international/ local consultants, implementing partners/ responsible parties/ partners through small grants either through sole sourcing or competitive selection

3. Management of partnerships • Support in preparation of complete documentation necessary for selection of civil society organizations (CSOs) acting as implementing/responsible parties either through sole sourcing or competitive selection (as needed) • Prepare selection committee minutes for implementing/responsible parties and follow up any revision necessary for the finalization of the process • Prepare complete documentation necessary for signing agreements with CSOs, implementing/responsible • Support in preparing complete documentation necessary for liquidation of expenses and payments to be made to CSOs, implementing/responsible parties

4. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing • Provide support to the synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices. • Draft inputs to reports and briefing notes as requested • Participate in and contribute to staff trainings to strengthen programmatic and operational skills

Any other related tasks as may be required or 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 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: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Women in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains;
• 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; 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;
• 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 • 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;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national and/or international level on promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, or other relevant programmes

• Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations is an asset • Good knowledge of current legislation and policies on eliminating violence against women in Turkey and their implementation is an asset • Experience in organizing multi-stakeholder and high-level events and trainings is an asset • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing • 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; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development • 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 • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines • Sound security awareness • Have affinity with or interest in gender issues, justice system, and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System • 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)

The UN Volunteer will live and work in Ankara, Turkey. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul with the population of 4.5 million people. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the seat of the Turkish government and houses all foreign embassies. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks. Visas are required for entry into Turkey. It is therefore strongly recommended to check with the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate before traveling (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-informationforforeigners.en.mfa). Nationals of EU member states and a limited number of nations are eligible for visas-on-arrival at international air termini and certain border crossing points.

• Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. The public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations and its staff in Turkey. • Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English. • Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more expensive. Some UN Volunteers opt for house sharing. Upon arrival, UN Volunteers will reside in a hotel until they find permanent housing. UNV Field Unit can provide assistance to UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing. • Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise very affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as are many services. • Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, minibuses called “dolmuş” to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited in the scope. • Weather: The city has a mean elevation of 938 metres. It has cold, often snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Because of Ankara's high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months can be cool.

• Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less commonly in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, few Turkish words are useful. There are Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara.

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