UNDP | Project Assistant

UNV Project Assistant - Gaza

Application Type : External Vacancy
Job ID/Title : 900 - UNV Project Assistant
Category : Other
Application Deadline :     03-Jun-16
Duty Station :     Gaza
Duration of Initial Contract :     12 months

Background:
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-PAPP) are seeking experienced national UN Volunteer specialist “E-Work & Mental Health Project Assistant”- for duration of 12 months with possibility of extension, based in Gaza.
 
This post is a United Nations Volunteers assignment and based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically, as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

Description of Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Manager of the Right to Education Programme, the national UN Volunteer will manage the E-work and mental health project activities with partner organizations and support the promotion of the Right to Education Programme in Gaza including the following tasks:

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

- Manage and coordinate the e-work and mental health components in close coordination with the partners under the project manager.
- Revise the Key Performance Indicators and develop detailed work plan of the two components in line with UNDP policies.
- Meet with partners to agree on detailed work plans and deliverables
- Liaise with stakeholders and relevant authorities and associations (Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), Palestinian Information Communication Technology Association (PICTA), Palestinian Information Technology Association of Companies (PITA), TAQAT, and Work without Borders) in the implementation of the project and for obtaining any necessary permits.
- Assist the Programme Manager and the M&E and Reporting Officer with all data necessary for reporting to the donor as may be deemed required.
- Draft and produce daily, weekly and monthly progress reports about the work activities.
- Monitor of the programmatic and financial progress against the set work plan, and alert the Programme Manger about any delay.
- Coordinate and act as a focal point in the e-work network among active stakeholders in the area of e-work to enhance dialogue, knowledge sharing, and scaling up/replication of joint initiative.
- Follow up on project schedule including coordination of activities and problem solving in connection with e-work.
- Undertake data collection and management of the project interventions, especially in e-work and capturing the lessons learned.
- Contribute to strategic planning towards scaling up e-work through identifying elements of enabling environment.
- Ensure proper filing of documents and records related to the project implementation are in place, and ready for auditing and evaluation.
- Perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
- Organize the common interactive platform meetings, and provide logistic support.
- Assist in designing new programs and setting selection criteria for Gaza graduates and entrepreneurs.
- Ensure that the partners’ policy documents and reports are evidence based and can be publicized.
- Monitor trainings and mentorship and provide all support needed
- Participate in relevant (external and internal) project evaluations and/or needs assessments.
- Lead the process of measurement to the baseline and end line data collection in line with the established evaluation system.
- Follow up on advocacy for the projects and develop a communication strategy with the partners

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

- 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 IVD);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- 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.
 
 Results/Expected Outputs:
- Partnership of E-Work and Mental Health components with relevant partners are established;
- Effective and efficient implementation of the E-Work and Mental Health activities ensured.
- Program files, documents, minutes and correspondence related to E-Work and Mental Health activities are adequately documented and archived.
- Regular reports from partners are timely collected and verified and adequately prepared for the management.
- The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
- 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 development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed;

Competencies :

Competencies and values:
- Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
- Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
- 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.
- Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working

Qualifications :

The UN volunteer must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports UNDP – Right to Education Programme with professionalism, dedication and client orientation. The following qualifications are required:

- Education: Bachelor degree in Business Administration, IT /computer engineering, or other related field.
- Experience: 2-5 years of experience in the field of e-work, Information Communication Technology, mentorship and supervising similar projects. • Advanced Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
- Excellent inter-personal, negotiation and team leading skills required
- Experience in using e-work platforms, writing or participating in blogs, community sites, campaigning and social media.
- Experience in editing images and videos and preparing graphics for web and email communications.
- Strong and effective verbal and written communications skills, leadership, financial tracking and performance management,
- Language Requirements and Others: Fluency in Arabic and English
- Resident of the Gaza Strip, with possibilities to move between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank
- Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Living Conditions:

As this is a national UNV assignment, the incumbent will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
For more information about the occupied Palestinian territory humanitarian context, see: www.ochaopt.org

Conditions of Service:
A 12 months contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of ILS 3,630 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than 3 June 2016 to the following address:
http://jobs.undp.ps
UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

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