​Regional Coordinator, International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026)

Volunteering Communications & PR

Overview

Support planning and implementation of IVY 2026 initiatives across Arab States.

You have:

• Minimum 7 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, programme management, resource mobilization or partnership building.
• Knowledge of the Arab States regional context, including volunteerism trends, policy frameworks, and development challenges.
• Strong track record in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, United Nations entities, and civil society organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

The UNV Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) provides oversight and strategic guidance to the UNV Field Units in the region and is accountable for the placement of UN Volunteers mobilized for United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. The UNV Regional Office represents and strategically positions UNV and brings UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, United Nations entities, civil society, and the private sector.

Reporting to the IVY 2026 Secretariat’s Team Lead in the External Relations and Communications Section (ERCS) at UNV Headquarters in Bonn, Germany, and matrixed to the Regional Portfolio Manager, the IVY 2026 Regional Coordinator will support the planning and implementation of IVY 2026 initiatives across Arab States. This role will focus on outreach, partnership building, and advocacy efforts to promote volunteerism and maximize the impact of IVY 2026.

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

The United Nations Volunteers is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and respected. In alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and throughout the assignment.

The following accessibility are already in place: • Main entrance: The main entrance (or an alternative entrance) of the building is wheelchair accessible (e.g. ramps, handrails, elevators, etc. are available) • Office spaces: At least one office/work station, one conference room and one bathroom are wheelchair accessible (please confirm that doors, routes and corridors that lead to these spaces are wide enough for wheelchair use) • Office equipment: Tables, printers and other office equipment are accessible by a person using a wheelchair • Security & emergency: The security and emergency protocol take into account persons with disabilities • Transportation adapted: Accessible transportation to commute to/from the office is available (e.g. public transportation, and/or official vehicle that is accessible for wheelchair users, etc.) • Assistive technology: Assistive technology can be provided upon request (e.g. braille note-taker, printers, screen-reader software, etc.) • IT accessibility: IT systems and tools are accessible (e.g. website, intranet, etc.) • Hearing cues: The emergency warning system has hearing cues • Sign language: Sign language interpretation can be provided upon request (e.g. English, American, and/or other languages) • If additional needs are required, the office is ready to ensure that a conducive environment is created.

Reasonable accommodation refers to "necessary and appropriate modifications and adjustments, not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure persons with disabilities can enjoy or exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others" (Article 2, UN CRPD). These accommodations may vary depending on individual needs and circumstances.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator . The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

Outreach, advocacy and partnership building: • Lead a stakeholder mapping exercise for IVY 2026, in collaboration with the Regional Portfolio Manager and the Regional Office. • Conduct regional outreach efforts to promote IVY 2026 with relevant stakeholders in the Arab States region, fostering engagement with governments, United Nations partner entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), volunteer-involving organizations (VIOs), private sector and academia. • Strengthen regional partnerships and knowledge-sharing on IVY 2026 through networking events, webinars, and thematic discussions for an external audience. • Represent UNV in relevant regional forums, events, and consultations with external stakeholders to advocate for the implementation of IVY 2026. • Adapt communication materials developed by the IVY Secretariat to ensure their relevance and impact within the region and identify opportunities for special communications initiatives that help to increase the visibility of IVY 2026, in collaboration with the regional communications team. • Provide guidance and practical support to UNV Field Units in promoting IVY 2026 at the national level.

Coordination and implementation: • Contribute to the designation of national IVY 2026 Focal Points by Governments in the region and support broad stakeholder engagement in and the effective functioning of the national committees they coordinate at the country-level. • Facilitate networking and experience exchange on IVY 2026 among external stakeholders, including governments, United Nations entities, CSOs, VIOs, private sector and academia across the region. • Support UNV ROAS and UNV Field Units in integrating and promoting IVY 2026 within their ongoing initiatives and network. • Engage in peer exchange with other Regional Coordinators to align strategies, share insights, and strengthen cross-regional collaboration on IVY 2026 implementation.

Monitoring, reporting and knowledge management: • Track and evaluate the progress and impact of IVY 2026 initiatives implemented by relevant external stakeholders across the region. • Collect and analyze data on volunteer engagement and partnership building as a result of IVY 2026. • Prepare reports, briefing notes, and factsheets on IVY 2026 based on regional and country experiences and lessons learned. • Support knowledge management efforts by documenting and disseminating success stories and best practices and facilitating input by relevant external stakeholders to UNV’s Knowledge Portal on the International Volunteer Year.

Expected Outcomes: •National IVY 2026 Focal Points and Committees established by Governments in the ROAS region and actively leading volunteerism initiatives. •Successful execution of regional advocacy campaigns, driving increased awareness and engagement in IVY 2026 by external and internal stakeholders. • Strengthened regional partnerships as a result of strong collaboration for IVY 2026. • Comprehensive documentation of best practices, success stories, and lessons learned in relation to IVY 2026 to inform future initiatives. • Enhanced capacity of national and regional stakeholders to sustain volunteerism promotion efforts beyond IVY 2026.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity and innovation • Strategic thinking and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Professionalism and integrity

Minimum 7 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, programme management, resource mobilization or partnership building. • Knowledge of the Arab States regional context, including volunteerism trends, policy frameworks, and development challenges. • Working experience with a national government in the Arab States region will be an asset. • Experience in programme management in developing countries is desirable. • Strong track record in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, United Nations entities, and civil society organizations. • Strong knowledge of and sound experience in working with volunteer programmes, NGOs, CSOs, and VIOs. • Have affinity with or interest in volunteer mobilization and engagement and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the United Nations System. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) • Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines

Desired Areas of Specialization: • Volunteerism and civic engagement • Partnerships and advocacy • Programme management and coordination • Stakeholder engagement

Location: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the Middle East. Bound by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, Red Sea to the south and the Palestinian National Authority to the west.

Weather: Jordan’s climate can be classified as semi-arid (Bsh) on the Koeppen-Geiger classification. It features a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Jordan's location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area. January is the coldest month, with temperatures from 5°C to 10°C, and August is the hottest month at 20°C to 35°C. Daily temperatures can be quite hot, especially in the summer; on some days it can be 40°C or more, especially when a hot, dry southerly wind blows. Such winds can sometimes be very strong and can cause sandstorms. About 70 percent of the average rainfall in the country falls between November and March; June through August are often rainless. Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year. Precipitation is often concentrated in violent storms, causing erosion and local flooding, especially in the winter months.

Safety and Security: Jordan is a relatively stable country. The potentials for internal or external armed conflict are considered very unlikely in the current political environment. Peaceful demonstrations, and sometimes road blockages, do occur in Jordan, motivated by domestic factors such as unemployment, deprivation of resources and development or for regional issues such as solidarity with the Palestinian cause or with the Syrian crises. Most of these events are driven by civil society unions and Islamic parties. Domestic tribal civil unrest sometimes turns violent, especially outside main cities, due to tribal disputes or socio-economic reasons. On all occasions law enforcement agencies usually manage to contain the situation rapidly. Road traffic accidents are the primary threat against UN personnel in Jordan. Poor road conditions and bad driving behaviors are the main reasons for the high rate of traffic accidents. Amman is a category A duty station with security level 1.

Transportation and housing: Taxis as well as ride-hailing services (Uber and Careem) are abundant and affordable in Amman. Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Public minibuses are the most common form of public transport. They normally only leave when full, so waiting times of an hour or more are inevitable, especially in rural areas. The larger air-con buses offer a speedy and reliable service, departing according to a fixed schedule. Housing is readily available with rents for one- to two-bedroom apartments ranging between 500 and 800 JD (1 JD = 0.708 USD) depending on the location.

Monthly living Allowance (per month) is around USD 2,565.48 Expertise differential (per month) is around USD 1,026.19 Lump Sum (one-time payment) USD 4,000 Exit Allowance (for each month served paid on completion of assignment) $225 for each month served Medical and Life Insurance Coverage

Health Services: Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Almost all doctors (and most pharmacists) speak English; many have studied abroad.

Language: The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken – especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled or have been educated abroad so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent.

Learn more about Jordan from the Ministry of Tourism’s website: https://www.mota.gov.jo/Default/En

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Potential interview questions

Added 10 days ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: unv.org