SDG Advocacy & Outreach Assistant

Contract

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

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in negative impacts on the socio-economic landscape of Sri Lanka contributing to increased poverty and highlighting inequalities. This has resulted in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals becoming an urgent priority. The effects of the pandemic on the economy, societies and marginalised groups require tailored responses to assist their recovery and long-term impacts.

Globally and in Sri Lanka Youth have been identified as key initiators who play a vital role in driving the movement of reading the 2030 agenda of the SDGs. Therefore, it is vital that youth are engaged and allowed to lead in activities that contribute towards the development of the country. However, the opportunities in the form of mechanisms, educational platforms and space for positive collaboration, for the young people is limited and their meaningful participation to voice out their concerns and make a profound impact in the development of the country. The United Nations Volunteers programme’s (UNV) Flagship Project on Building an Ecosystem for Volunteering in Sri Lanka to contribute towards achieving SDGs in Sri Lanka. Volunteering is promoted as an enabler for efforts on SDG acceleration and the volunteerism is strengthen as a tool for communities to harness their own people-driven innovative solutions in achieving the 2030 Agenda, especially on alleviating poverty, attaining quality education and health, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, affordable and clean energy, reducing inequality and climate resilience.

The assignment will support promoting volunteering for SDG Acceleration within the Decade Action and the rolling out of the Global Call to Action to achieve 2030 Agenda in Sri Lanka. Based on the Field Unit’s objectives and incorporating the goals of the corporate communications strategy.

Under the direct supervision of Country Coordinator, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

 Support the development of an advocacy strategy for volunteering in the Decade of Action  Assist the smooth implementation and coordination of Community Volunteer Centers  Support to coordinate and develop awareness building programmes and workshops in line with Volunteering for SDGs  Ensure social media coverage of SDG related activities updating UNV Sri Lanka social media platforms on a regular basis  Support the production of new SDG related knowledge products, training materials and advocacy contents  Integrate SDGs into and support the coordination of outreach events and community engagement activities  Assist in planning and organizing events, missions, workshops, meetings and other gatherings as relevant  Assist the monitoring activities and drafting of relevant reports

Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Vision ☒ Working in Teams

and/or demonstrated interest (up to 2 years) in advocacy for Sustainable Development Goals such as social awareness building and sensitization, integration, social engagement and project design.  Experience related to coordinating outreach initiatives, event management, training facilitation, volunteerism will be an advantage.  Relevant experience or demonstrated interest or capacities in social development focusing sustainability, creative/ design thinking and stakeholder management.  Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Colombo is situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfalls occur. Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955.