Regional Coordinator, International Year of Volunteers (IVY 2026)

Volunteering

Overview

Support the planning and implementation of IVY 2026 initiatives across the East and Southern Africa region.

You have:

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, programme management, resource mobilization or partnership building at the national and/or international level.
• Knowledge of the East and Southern Africa regional context, including volunteerism trends, policy frameworks, and development challenges.
• Working experience with a national government in the East and Southern Africa 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.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• 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 East and Southern Africa (ROESA) 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 Regional Coordinator, International Year of Volunteers (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 the East and Southern Africa region. This role will focus on outreach, partnerships building, and advocacy efforts to promote volunteerism and maximize the impact of Regional Coordinator, International Year of Volunteers (IVY 2026).

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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.

• 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/workstation, 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 (e.g. evacuation chair is available, etc.) • Facilities signposted: All accessible facilities are marked with symbols or signs. Transportation adapted: Accessible transportation to commute to/from the office is available e.g. public transportation • 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) • Visual cues: The emergency warning system has visual cues.

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.

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 East and Southern Africa 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. •Provide guidance and support to the national counterpart.

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 ROESA 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 ROESA 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

Experience in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, programme management, resource mobilization or partnership building at the national and/or international level. •Knowledge of the East and Southern Africa regional context, including volunteerism trends, policy frameworks, and development challenges. •Working experience with a national government in the East and Southern Africa 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). •Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Area(s) of specialization: •Volunteerism and civic engagement •Partnerships and advocacy •Programme management and coordination •Stakeholder engagement

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org