UNV Humanitarian Field Support Assistant

Job ID/Title:UNV Humanitarian Field Support Assistant
Brand :UNV
Application Deadline:28-Feb-15
Duty Station:Gaza
Languages Required :Arabic, English
Duration of Initial Contract :12 months contract, with possibility of extension(s)
Expected Duration of Assignment :

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Background:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme jointly with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are seeking experienced National UN Volunteer Specialist “ Humanitarian Field Support Assistant”- one position for duration of 12 months, renewable 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 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 volunteers 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, UN 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.
In all assignments, UN volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Description of Responsibilities:
Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Head of Gaza Sub-Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
-Support the Gaza Sub-Office with regular reporting, including weekly and monthly reports, as well as ad hoc humanitarian updates and reports;
-Undertake in regular field visits to gather and verify information needed to understand the impact of the humanitarian situation and the needs of the most vulnerable communities;
-Support data gathering and analysis of the humanitarian situation in Gaza as requested by the Gaza Sub-Office, including by supporting information management, field assessments, community liaison and research;
-Support the provision of information in response to internal and external requests and queries;
-Assist in developing presentations, information products and contact sheets;
-Write field visit reports and meeting notes ensuring that an adequate and accurate record is being kept;
-Provide advocacy support for event organizing, field briefings preparation for officials, diplomats and decision makers;
-Conduct media monitoring, as required;
-Support the Gaza Sub-Office in its humanitarian coordination role, by supporting the strengthening of relations with relevant actors including clusters, Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), UNRWA and local authorities, and by participating in relevant meetings;
-Assist in keeping calendars, contact sheets and relevant operational documents up-to-date;
-Provide language assistance/translation, both verbal and written, from and to Arabic and English;
-Support the Sub-Office in disseminating, at the local level, UN and OCHA reports;
-Provide additional and related support to the Gaza Sub-Office as may be required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged 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 International Volunteer Day);
-Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; 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.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
-Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
-Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
-Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
-Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN Volunteers.

Results/Expected Outputs:
-Timely production of regular reports, ad hoc reports and responses to inquiries;
-Increased field presence, including through assessment support, field visit preparation and community liaison;
-Meeting minutes and field visit notes are prepared, shared and stored in a timely fashion;
-Up-to-date calendars, contact sheets, presentations, and information products;
-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 relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
-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), 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 and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
-Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Qualifications :
The UN Volunteer must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who wants to contribute to development in the oPt through promotion of volunteerism. The following qualifications are required:

Qualifications, skills, experience:
-University degree in business management, public administration, logistics or other relevant field, or 3 years of relevant work/volunteer experience;
-Knowledge of Gaza, including good working knowledge of the humanitarian situation;
-Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System;
-Reporting and research experience;
-Experience in field research, assessments and working with affected communities;
-Experience in dealing with multiple stakeholders and perspectives is an asset;
-Excellent English and Arabic language skills, both written and spoken;
-Proficiency in using all Microsoft software, including MS Word, MS Excel, Powerpoint;
-Prior experience with international organizations is an asset;
-Good sense of security.

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.

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Conditions of Service:
An initial one-year contract, with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event relocation is required. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of US$ 740 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost-of-living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurances 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 28 Feb 2015 and indicate the desired duty station to the following address:
http://jobs.undp.ps
UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem
Equal Employment Opportunity prohibits discrimination against anyone. It attempts to ensure that all applicants, males-females and all races have a fair opportunity in a hiring process, in competing for promotions, and equal access to training/professional development opportunities.

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