Self-Defense Trainer for Women (16 Days of Activism)

Security

Overview

Support the UNDP's 16 Days of Activism campaign by training women in self-defense techniques.

You have:

• Formal training or certification in recognized self-defense techniques is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering self-defense, personal safety, or physical awareness training is desirable.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and pressure points relevant to self-defense is an advantage.
• Experience in community development or public outreach activities is an asset.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage participants effectively and respectfully.
• Proven commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment and promote the values of volunteerism and gender equality.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and continues until 10 December, Human Rights Day. Each year, the UNITE Campaign adopts a specific theme to raise awareness and mobilize action. The campaign calls on individuals and communities to demonstrate their commitment to ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to help create a world free from gender-based violence.

In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in cooperation with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, has launched a Special Programme Initiative (SPI) aimed at engaging UN Volunteers to support UNDP’s activities during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Istanbul, Türkiye. The selected UN Community Volunteers will support the UNDP Türkiye Country Office in the following areas:

Awareness, Advocacy and Outreach: - Support UNDP in organizing and delivering self-defense sessions as part of the Women’s Security Awareness Training and activities conducted throughout the 16 Days of Activism campaign. - Assist in outreach and engagement with participants to promote the campaign’s key messages and objectives.

Under the direct supervision of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) Security Associate, the UN Community Volunteer will be responsible for the following tasks: - Develop and deliver an interactive and practical self-defense training session tailored specifically for women, in line with the objectives of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. - Design and adapt training materials that incorporate awareness, prevention, and basic self-protection techniques, ensuring accessibility and relevance for all participants. - Demonstrate safe and effective physical defense strategies, suitable for participants with diverse levels of physical ability and experience. - Promote confidence-building, situational awareness, and personal safety, empowering participants to respond appropriately to potential risks. - Facilitate hands-on practice sessions, ensuring a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment at all times. - Uphold principles of respect, inclusion, and empowerment, ensuring that all participants feel valued and protected throughout the sessions. - Act as a Self-Defense Trainer for Women during the Women's Security Awareness Training (WSAT), to be held in the office on Monday, 1 December 2025. - Conduct approximately one Self-Defense session per week (a total of three sessions) during the UNV contract period, focused on women’s security awareness. Upon request, one to three additional sessions may be organized for the children of UNDP personnel.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• Formal training or certification in recognized self-defense techniques is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering self-defense, personal safety, or physical awareness training is desirable.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and pressure points relevant to self-defense is an advantage.
• Experience in community development or public outreach activities is an asset.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage participants effectively and respectfully.
• Proven commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment and promote the values of volunteerism and gender equality.

UN Community Volunteers are expected to be recruited locally and work within their communities. For this specific assignment, if the selected UN Community Volunteer is required to travel or attend specific events, travel and daily meal expenses will be covered by the host entity. Upon successful completion of the assignment, UN Community Volunteers will receive a UNV Certificate of Service.

This is a volunteer assignment, not employment. By sharing your time, energy, and talents, you can support communities in need and become part of something greater than yourself — a global movement for peace, development, and humanitarian aid. Volunteering strengthens trust, solidarity, and reciprocity among citizens, and it can promote a sense of belonging and purpose.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul, Türkiye, and will preferably be working from the office (location is Istanbul, Sisli area) two days a week to connect and collaborate with staff members. The UN Volunteers are responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials within UNV contract period.

Summary of this national UN Volunteer Entitlements: • Private insurance: Health, dental, life and dismemberment (coverage by CIGNA) • Certificate of Service • Experience with UN programme • There will be no payment, stipend, or any allowances.

UN Volunteer supporting SPI in Europe and Central Asia region: The support provided by the UN Volunteer for tasks supporting the host UN entity in the region of Europe and Central Asia is a Special Programme Initiative (SPI) by UNV. SPIs respond to volunteer-specific needs of the United Nations system and donor entities. They are established by specific policy documents that address the desired programmatic aims and broader SDGs’ outcomes in line with UNV guiding principles. UN Volunteers for this SPI in the Europe and Central Asia region are governed by the particular conditions set out in their offers and contracts.

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Potential interview questions

Added 10 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: unv.org