UN Community Volunteer in Youth engagement - Vitez

Contract

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

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 will be implemented in the following IPA beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia. Working across the region, ReLOaD2 will enhance 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 selected 13 partner LGs through competitive process with focus on institutionalization of interaction between LGs and CSOs. It will incite 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 will promote youth engagement and support implementation of youth initiatives and will work on improvement of their economic perspectives in partner localities. The project duration is 48 months (2021 – 2024).
Selected UN Community Volunteer will be placed in the municipal premises in Bihac. He/she will be assisting the assigned person in Bihac Municipality to enhance the relationships with the civil society organization (CSO) and citizen / youth groups to understand their challenges as well as assist the project to implement the activities at the community level. All of this is in line with ReLOaD project activities which are planned to be implemented in Bihac Municipality. This is an excellent opportunity for enthusiastic young people to be engaged in local institutions through United Nations volunteer contracts (UNV) on the basis of a six-month internship /practical work experience, with an appropriate amount of compensation for living expenses. In addition, the selected UNV volunteer will during the assignment will attend certified Administration/Information, Communications Technologies (ICT) and Soft skills trainings. 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 Project Manager and assigned person for cooperation with ReLOAD2 project from Municipality of Vitez, the UN Community Volunteer will:

• Provide assistance to assigned persons for cooperation with the ReLOaD2 project, to successfully complete all duties and task related to ReLOaD2 and other initiatives under UNDP Social inclusion portfolio; • Assist Municipality of Bihac to expand partnerships with CSO especially youth CSO and youth representatives at the community level; • Assist in executing public calls for CSO projects in the Municipality of Vitez; • Provide admin support on field necessary for organization of meetings, trainings, workshops conducted by ReLOaD2 project in the Municipality of Vitez; • Occasionally prepare reports on performed activities; • Assist in promoting ReLOaD2 best practices at the community level; • Participate in Certified trainings organized by UNDP in Administration and Information and Communications Technology (ICT); • Any other tasks within the scope of work as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Community Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Developed and regular maintaining of timeline of youth and civic activities / initiatives in Municipality of Bihac • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

The general impact of this assignment will be reflected in the increased capacities of the community members, especially youth for better local communication and cooperation.

Specific outputs should be created through: • Established active and timely communication between various participants in the process of organizing the local community; • Increased cooperation and strengthen partnership among community leaders at the local level; • Assistance provided in organizing regular meetings within the Forum for Citizens Initiatives, Dialogue for Youth, representatives of CSOs and Municipality of Vitez; • Good practices and tools are regularly shared with stakeholders across the Municipality of Vitez; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the activities participated in and capacities developed; • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and partner LG in daily activities and behaviours 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 partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, 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; • 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.

good communication skills

UN Community Volunteers are expected to be recruited locally and work within their community, they are therefore not expected to travel to the duty station and are not eligible for a settling in grant. In addition, UN Community Volunteers should not require reintegration back into their locales upon completion of their service. Therefore, there is no entitlement to a resettlement allowance. The applicable volunteer living allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included. https://www.unv.org/