ReLOaD Youth Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development net-work, working in 177 countries and territories. In line with its 2021-2025 Country Programme, UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) focuses on sustainable and inclusive growth, people-centered governance and social cohesion. UNDP is fully committed to support BIH with regards to its Agenda 2030 commitments as well as the European Union (EU) accession process. The CPD outcomes correspond to 3 outcomes of the UNSDCF 2021-2025 (outcome 1 on resilient, sustainable and inclusive growth, outcome 4 on accountable and transparent governance systems, and outcome 5 on social cohesion and trust).

We are individually and collectively responsible for nurturing and promoting an organizational culture of ethics and integrity where we respect and uphold the organization’s values, and where staff are empowered and motivated to deliver sustainable development results. We seek people who are fair, impartial and honest. We value dynamic and adaptable persons who are not afraid to think creatively and are proactive, flexible and responsive.

The Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is a continuation of the EU-UNDP partnership and previously supported initiative – ReLOaD1 implemented in the four-year period 2017 - 2020. ReLOaD2 continues to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration process in the Western Balkans by empowering civil society and youth to actively take part in decision making and by stimulating an enabling legal and financial environment for civil society. The programme is implemented in the following IPA beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia. Working across the region, ReLOaD2 enhances capacities of (local governments) LGs and civil society organizations (CSOs) to engage in productive partnerships and contribute to improved service delivery and realization of local priorities in line with development strategies. ReLOaD2 in BiH works with 13 partner LGs focusing on institutionalization of interaction between LGs and CSOs. It incites partner LGs to use public funding for CSOs in a transparent and development-oriented manner, recognizing local needs and embracing a project-based approach. Also, the Action promotes youth engagement and support implementation of youth initiatives and works on improvement of their economic perspectives in partner localities. The project duration is 48 months (2021 – 2024).

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager the UN Volunteer will undertake regular duties to enhance the relationships with civil society organizations (CSO) and citizen/youth groups to understand their challenges as well as assist the project to implement the activities within the Youth Component of the ReLOaD2 project. Selected UN Youth Volunteer will be placed in the UN House in Sarajevo.

This is an excellent opportunity for enthusiastic young people to be engaged in in youth activities through United Nations Volunteer contracts (UNV) on the basis of an initial six-month internship / practical work experience. The volunteer will receive certificate of completed practice/internship upon completion of the internship, to have better chances for employment.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Assist the project implementation of ReLOaD2 youth component aiming to increase the youth engagement; • Provide assistance to the project staff in developing different creative and innovative approaches to youth engagement; • Support implementation of different project activities related to civil society organizations, Dialogue for Youth platforms and partner local governance; • Maintain the communication with ReLOaD interns and Local representatives in partner local governments (LGs) • Assist in project administration needed for competition of process of recruitment, procurement, field visits, conferences trainings and different logistic arrangements. • Prepare the regular communication and correspondence with project stakeholders • Provide inputs for publication materials and collect information related to the project activities; • Compile and maintain records/documents/files relating to the project in a user-friendly manner; • Perform other duties as determined by the Project Manager.

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and partner LG in daily activities and behaviors 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 partner-ships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gen-der, 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; • Teamwork: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team, both as a team member and as a team leader, to build trust, and to manage in a deliberate, transparent and predictable way • 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 and partner LG mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

NOTE: In line with the project objectives, we can exceptionally accept applications from candidates below the age of 30 with no previous work experience. • Volunteering experience in the activities and projects of civil society organizations. • Knowledge and experience in volunteering, and willingness to learn about volunteering will be considered an advantage. • Knowledge of Microsoft Office software package (MS Word, Excel, Spreadsheet, Internet etc.) • Excellent communication skills, oral and writing

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of unemployment from the Employment Office.

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the largest urban centre, with an estimated population of 370.000. The city is situated along the Miljacka river and surrounded by the Dinaric Alps.

The city is famous for its religious diversity, with Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Judaism coexisting there for centuries. There are no administrative or other restrictions, apart from visa (exceptions possible), on international staff members’ travelling to/within/from the country and restrictions imposed by COVID-19 pandemic have all been lifted.

In general, regular medical facilities are available, with two main hospitals and a significant number of small private clinics. General sanitary and hygiene conditions are adequate. Good local banking facilities are available (use of credit cards, ATMs).

Communication services (domestic and international) are available on a regular basis. Availability of food, furnishings and other necessities is adequate (various grocery stores and markets with fresh food products, shopping canters, etc). Public water supply, electricity and sewerage system are in place.

Public transportation is available (tram, bus, trolleybus, taxi). The international airport is 20 minutes away by car from the UN building in Sarajevo and the city centre.

Sarajevo offers numerous cultural events. The most famous ones are the Sarajevo Film Festival, MESS (international theatre festival), the Jazz Festival, Sarajevo Winter, Bascarsija’s Nights in the summer time, Novi Grad’s Days, Agro-food, International Book Fair, etc.

There are galleries and museums, sports facilities open for public use and annual international sports competitions. There are several Cinema multiplex offering a rich repertoire of latest films, both blockbusters and masterpieces of independent cinema.

The United Nations designated state of alert for Bosnia and Herzegovina is Security Level 1, which is minimal and the lowest security level in the Security Level System for the entire country, including the capital of Sarajevo.

The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally quiet; all international agencies consider threats to their staff to be low at this time. However, the country faces the same problems as much of Europe, from pickpockets to traffic accidents, so all staff must exercise appropriate personal security awareness and common sense. Bosnia and Herzegovina is still the country with the largest mine contamination problem in Europe?. Staff are advised not to deviate from well-travelled routes while in the country. See http://www.bhmac.org.