UN Youth Volunteer in Protection

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 UN Youth Volunteer in Protection provides support to the Representation and field offices on issues related to the reintegration of returnees to Venezuela. Functional support will focus on interagency relations, operational coordination, strategic partnerships, as well as external engagement. The Protection Assistant also supports on the design and development of protection-related guidance for issues related to return and reintegration, such as personal documentation, family reunification, gender-based violence prevention and response, and housing land and property issues, among others. Another key component of the incumbent’s assignment will be to support community mobilization and participation across the spectrum of the reintegration interventions, including needs assessments, response design, monitoring, and feedback mechanisms. For partnerships and external engagement, the Protection Assistant assists the Representation on establishing and strengthening strategic relationships to mobilize additional actors in support of communities impacted by returns, including development actors and private sector partners. The incumbent will be included in all actions taken by the Representation in pursuit of successful reintegration and the operation will invest in the Protection Assistant to develop professional knowledge and skills which will serve beyond the proposed assignment.

In order to carry out this work, the UN Volunteer will be properly trained both formally, through available workshops, seminars, e-Learning platforms; and informally through on-the-job training, intensive coaching/mentoring, shadowing other colleagues to familiarize his/herself with the relevant global and local policy and procedures related to Protection activities.

The UN Volunteer will be closely supervised by both senior and middle level management within the unit and it is expected that within a few months s/he will have the necessary skills to carry out many of the daily tasks with limited guidance.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative for Operations, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Learn, how to consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.

• Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Learn how to provide functional and administrative support in all issues related to returns and reintegration.

• Learn how to provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management.

• Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation.

• Learn how to support liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents.

• Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and com-piling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

• Assist in enforcing integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

• Perform other related duties as required.

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

(ideally) or demonstrated interest in:

• Solid understanding of protection principles and practices • Knowledge about return and reintegration processes • Understanding of participatory approaches and needs assessment methodologies • Familiarity with monitoring and reporting mechanisms • Good analytical skills; • Solid interpersonal and communication skills; culturally and socially sensitive; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.). • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;

Caracas is a Family duty station classified as C. Recreational activities are well improving and sports activities are recommended in sport facilities. Health facilities are available locally. There are several private health care clinics available in Caracas, some of them cleared by the UN. Clinics provide some specialized assistance, but conditions and medicines are still a bit limited. Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area, such as malaria and dengue. Education is available in the local language Spanish/English/French. International schools are limited but available (British, American school). There are limited banking facilities and insufficiency of services in the context of hyperinflation. Only extremely reduced amounts can be withdrawn in cash points or banks. Staff therefore rely on the use of debit and credit cards, transfer arrangements and USD cash. International debit and credit cards are now accepted in most of the shops, restaurants etc. Although the use of US Dollar is officially restricted in the country, unofficially it is circulating in the local market. International staff live in the hotels and rented accommodation, the prices are a bit high and currently converted to USD. The operation may require mission travels to the deep field locations. Distances are long and the road infrastructure is limited in the field. Hotel and accommodation arrangements in field locations are basic. High security awareness is constantly needed as the criminal threat is classified as extreme. Current security level is 3. The sensitive political context could put certain nationalities perceived as opponents. Considerable level of general criminality due to the prevailing economic situation and political dynamics. Drug trafficking, smuggling, robberies have been reported. Although there is no official curfew in place, staff are advised not to go out after dark by walking (18h00 pm) and to use reliable transportation instead of walking.