Refugee Outreach Volunteer

Contract

This is a UNV Refugee contract. More about UNV Refugee contracts.

Communication with Communities (CwC) is a key element of UNHCR’s protection response and engagement with communities. The priority of CwC activities is to ensure that refugees receive the right information in a timely manner in order to ensure participatory approach in strategic/planning activities, to preserve their protection, access to services, well-being, and to prevent fraud and other protection risks. In line with UNHCR’s policy on accountability to affected persons (AAP), UNHCR is accountable in ensuring that its responses include continuous and meaningful engagement with persons of concern, understand their needs and protection risks and build on their capacities. To ensure that refugees and asylum-seekers receive the right information and prevent any protection risks associated with misleading information, UNHCR shares information both proactively and reactively through various communication channels. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective relationships with communities of concern. The Refugee Outreach Volunteer reports to Senior Protection Associate. The UNV is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. He/she assists in monitoring protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards.

The Refugee Outreach Volunteer will provide support to UNHCR Kazakhstan National Office and will be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan in implementation of everyday activities. Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Senior Protection Associate or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Refugee Outreach Volunteer will: • Direct and sustained engagement with communities, through transparent and continuous two-way communication • Assist Office in organizing activities for effective participation of communities in identifying their needs and concerns throughout programme cycle for providing informed response • Assist in implementation and monitoring of a community-based protection reflecting the organization’s regional and country level protection priorities, and ensuring systematic application of participatory, rights, community-based, disability and gender responsive approaches in protection and solutions planning, programming and strategies • Support the UNHCR activities in compliance with UNHCR Age, Gender and Diversity Policy (AGD), including ensuring AGD inclusive programming, advocating for gender equality and accountability to affected populations (AAP) • Assist the Office in conducting the annual participatory assessment exercises with PoCs and ensuring the necessary follow-up • Support the Office in implementing SGBV prevention and response as well as community-based child protection programmes • Support the Office in implementing feedback and response mechanism (including on PSEA) and participate in the analysis of feedback gathered through formal and informal feedback and response • Assisting in the analysis that identifies the existing capacities and risks in communities of concern • Work with refugee youth in building their capacity to maximize opportunities for self-reliance • Contribute to the development of partnerships with a variety of stakeholders including UN agencies, refugee community, civil society actors inclusive of youth, disability, LGBTI, women rights stakeholders and other diverse groups for the purpose of advocating for community-based approaches for the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers, including communication with diverse groups • Acting as interpreter and translator when needed • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs: As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o UNHCR provides an informed and efficient protection response to refugees and asylum-seekers o Protection concerns of POCs are provided on time and mainstreamed through all sectors o The UNV is expected to work closely with other staff from different units in organizing various events i.e., participatory assessments, FGDs o The UNV is expected to communicate effectively with the population of concern in achieving its work objectives which requires specific skills and expertise of the refugee community, language, cultural understanding and other peculiarities of community o Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment o A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Professionalism Integrity Teamwork and respect for diversity Commitment to continuous learning Planning and organizing Communication Flexibility Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment re-quiring liaison and collaboration with government representatives and NGO partners; • Good computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and ability to use in-formation technology as a tool and resource; • Excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills; as well as good organizational skills.

As this is a Refugee UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. • The UN Volunteer will be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. UN Security Level: Phase 1.

Almaty has international airport with flights to many countries The public transportation available: buses, taxi, metro Almaty has a four seasons climate with hot summers and medium to cold winters. It is characterized by the influence of mountain valley circulation. This is especially evident in the northern part of the city, located directly in the transition zone of the mountain slopes to the plains. There are many restaurants, cafes, pubs in the downtown. In the spring and summer, Almaty has somewhat of a sidewalk cafe atmosphere. Cost of living varies depending on the place of residence. Fruits and vegetable out of season can be expensive. Buying a car can be expensive. Household items, clothing, and public transportation is far less expensive than Western prices. Housing can be expensive closer to downtown, but in the outlying areas of the city, all with excellent public transportation, homes and nice apartments are much more reasonably prices, and well below Western prices.

No special vaccination is required to travel to Kazakhstan, Almaty. Medical services (including dental care) are provided at European standards. Clinics working 24 hours are available in the city. There are both private and state clinics and hospitals. Kazakh and Russian are spoken languages in the region and are the official languages of the state.

As of August 2022, the amount of the Monthly Living Allowance received by the Refugee UN Volunteers in Almaty is approx. KZT 323,590/month. Other benefits include: -Entry lump sum of USD 400 (a one-time contribution towards expenses incurred before and initially upon commencement of service); -Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer; -Access to UNV's learning and career development resources; -Annual leave: 2.5 days per month; -Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment).

See the UVP Entitlements calculator & UNV Conditions of Service for more details & information. https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/unvpf/UNVcos2021%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_30.08.2021.pdf