UNV Research Support and Youth 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.

At the country level, UNV Field Units interact with UN entities to strategically and meaningfully integrate volunteerism into the implementation and delivery of their mandates. As part of this process, UNV works with UN entities to identify opportunities where volunteers add specific and unique value to development programmes and peacekeeping missions.

The UNV field unit is based in Fiji and covers 14 Pacific Island countries. It promotes and advocates for the recognition of volunteerism, and manages UN volunteer assignments in 14 Pacific Island countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Vanuatu and Cook Islands, Tuvalu.

UN Volunteers have supported development efforts of UN agencies, the governments and civil society actors in the Pacific since 1973. They have provided technical assistance in the fields of education, health, environment, human rights, peace and reconciliation, social inclusion, youth engagement, economic development and many others.

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

• Contribute to research (desk review) on volunteer involving organisations (VIO) which exist in the 14 Pacific Island countries UNV covers; • Contribute to the collection and data mapping of the volunteer landscape in the Pacific – documenting contacts, and set-up with the aim of providing UNV entry points to promote volunteerism. • Support the preparation of graphs and spreadsheets to portray results of the mapping or research exercise. • Support the creation of presentation slides and posters to share with VIOS and UNV Programmatic Team in the UNV Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific • Review print and online resources to gather information, check facts, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy. • Support UNV engagements in UN taskforce and UN joint committees for example the UN Interagency Taskforce on Youth,

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Vision ☒ Working in Teams

and/or demonstrated interest in research and reporting

Fiji consists of 332 islands, and the two largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. These two islands are mountainous and covered with thick tropical forests. Fijian indigenous society is communal, with great importance attached to the family unit, the village, and the vanua (land). Fijian society has evolved over the past century with the introduction of traditions such as Indian and Chinese as well as significant influences from Europe and Fiji's Pacific neighbours, particularly Tonga and Samoa. These various cultures of Fiji have come together to create a multicultural national identity. Religion in Fiji is today dominated by Methodists and other Christian sects, followed by Hindus, and other religions. It can take a while to get a bank account, so it is best to plan to have a month’s resources available from other sources. Fiji is generally a cash-based society, so it is recommended to keep a good amount of cash on you as you come across several restaurants, shops, etc that do not accept the card. Fiji has three main mobile phone companies – Vodafone, Digicel and INKK. Coverage is good within urban areas but fades quickly as you move to rural locations. Internet connection is good in Suva.