Project Officer

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 Gambia, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) was a reoccurring theme of the public hearings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which submitted its Final Report to President Adama Barrow in November 2021. SGBV is one of the most traumatic and pervasive, yet common life threatening, and protection issues that human beings suffer, which can often affect survivors in several ways, including depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Horrifically, some of the most disturbing incidents examined by the TRRC over its 892 days of public hearings include systematic, state sanctioned sexual exploitation, violence, and rape of young women, and sexualized torture of men. UNDP in partnership with UNFPA and OHCHR, and with funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund is implementing a project to contribute to peacebuilding and social cohesion through reducing the short- and long-lasting effects of SGBV on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of survivors, their families, and communities. The project’s interventions center first and foremost on the promotion and protection of the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of SGBV survivors through the provision of services, community engagement, knowledge sharing and learning, as well as strengthening local and national institutional efforts and capacities to continuously address SGBV and promote mental health in post-TRRC The Gambia. This project is designed to complement a broader post-TRRC project being implemented by UNDP and OHCHR, with PBF funding too, and aimed at supporting the Government to implement TRRC recommendations in a timely, comprehensive, consultative, and participatory manner, by focusing on ensuring the SGBV survivors connected to the transitional justice/TRRC process are accompanied and supported to ensure their full participation in the post-TRRC process. In this context, the UNDP is hiring a NUNV Project Officer to support the day-to-day management of the Project. Within the delegated authority and under the overall guidance by the Programme Specialist – Governance, and the daily supervision by the MHPSS Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with UNFPA and OHCHR, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Governance, his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Project Officer will:

• In close cooperation with the MHPSS Project Coordinator provide overall support in the implementation of the planned and envisaged project activities and regularly following up the developments; • Provide technical advisory support to ensure proper implementation of project activities as well as prepare the necessary related technical and administrative documents; • Provide on-hand training and support to the relevant partners and structures when need arises; • Support project team in preparing project reports and other project related materials; • Conduct site visits with project team to monitor and evaluate the progress and quality of the project activities when necessary; • Regularly review implementation of the related project activities in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses; utilize the data collected to increase the project efficiency; • Establish and maintain regular contacts and advance partnerships with key project partners, local communities, relations with local agencies or organizations present in the area of responsibility, ensure the liaison between implementing partners, and other key stakeholders; • Assist in preparing resource materials, organizing meetings (draft meeting notes/minutes, sending out invitations and take care of logistical issues); • Update regularly the project sub-page with relevant material, highlighting key events and project achievements; • Assist consultants and partners in successful implementation of the foreseen activities when necessary; • Support advocacy and public awareness activities organized within the project including short stories of beneficiaries) outlining main project results and posting them in project social media accounts in cooperation with UNDP communications team. • Perform any other duties within the scope of work assigned by the MHPSS Project Coordinator.

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.

As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Direct support to project team with respect to implementation and monitoring of activities provided; o Improved visibility of project results; o Collaboration between and among relevant central and local level stakeholders and UNDP Gambia established and promoted; o Key events, project achievements and success stories based on implementation of the project in the field identified and shared with MHPSS project, UNDP programme and communications staff; o Respond efficiently and timely to correspondence and draw the attention to exigencies including deadlines; o Maintain effective data and file management; o Quality of communication activities enhanced through coordination with stakeholders, implementing and operational partners. o Consistently consider social inclusion and mainstream gender in all tasks;

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; 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 UNDP 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 UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Gender and Development Studies, Law, Development Studies, Management or Social Sciences. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 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

The Gambia is classified as a family duty station and is a generally safe country to live in. This position would require residence in the Greater Banjul Area, which boasts of relatively easy access to services, utilities, and facilities, including communication, housing, and transportation services.

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