National UN Volunteer Specialist

Job ID/Title : 594 - National UN Volunteer Specialist
Brand : UNV    
Application Deadline :  20-Nov-12
Duty Station : MOFA - Ramallah   
Languages Required :Arabic, English,   
Duration of Initial Contract :     Twelve months (renewable)
   


Background:
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with the United Nations Development Programme UNDP are seeking an experienced National United Nations Volunteer Specialist in “ Organizational Development for the establishment of Palestinian International Cooperation Agency (PICA) ” for duration of twelve months, renewable based in Ramallah.
 
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.
In all assignments, UNV 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:
The United Nations Development Programme/ Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) is supporting MoFA in the design and establishment of the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency (PICA). The agency will be the technical development arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for providing technical assistance to other developing countries by transferring knowledge and skills at the regional and international level in accordance to the guidelines of MoFA.
The Palestine International Cooperation Agency (PICA) is seen as a technical development arm that focuses on areas in which Palestine has a comparative advantage and accumulated expertise by targeting the employment of Palestinian technical skills in the various sectors that constitute a competitive advantage of Palestine. The Palestinian national experiences and excellence in various areas and fields can benefit a wider range of people from all around the world, especially in developing countries. PICA is expected to promote Palestinian volunteerism internally and promote Palestinian goodwill towards other nations.

Under the overall direction of MoFA’s Head of the International Cooperation Department and the Technical Specialist, the national organizational development specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:
-Support the Technical Specialist in developing PICA’s vision, mission, mandate, organizational structure, job descriptions, etc., in cooperation with the Ministry’s staff as well as its stakeholders;
-Establish partnerships with affiliated stakeholders;
-Organize meetings and confidence-building workshops to reach consensus on PICA;
-Prepare conference and meetings reports with recommendations;
-Support the Technical Specialist in drafting the Internal Control Framework for PICA;
-Support the Technical Specialist in identifying stakeholders and partners;
-Support the Technical Specialist in drafting PICA Strategy including short-, medium, and long-term objectives;
-Support the Technical Specialist in the development of PICA’s work plan and roll-out the activities of the first year;
-Develop and implement a pilot project for one year;
-Support MoFA’s staff in establishing the needed human resources database and rosters for PICA;
-Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework and follow up on the evaluation criteria established for the first year pilot project;
-Other related duties as may be required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are expected 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:
-PICA’s vision, mission, mandate, and organizational structure is developed in cooperation with the Ministry’s staff as well as its stakeholders;
-Relevant stakeholders identified and partnerships established;
-Confidence building meetings and workshops with stakeholders implemented and consensus over PICA reached and documented through comprehensive reports;
-The Internal Control Framework for PICA drafted under the supervision of the technical specialist;
-PICA’s strategy, including short, medium and long term objectives, linked to the mission and vision is drafted;
-Pilot project and related activities developed;
-Database for PICA is developed;
-Monitoring and evaluation criteria on PICA’s pilot established and implemented.

Competencies :
-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 multi-cultural, 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), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; 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, involving physical hardship and little comfort, 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;
-Technological Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills, particularly in using relevant technology and its application to archives, library, documentation and record keeping.
-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 oPt through promotion of volunteerism. S/he will support the gender programme with professionalism, dedication and client orientation.

The following qualifications are required:
-Advanced degree (master’s equivalent) in political science, international development, public administration, business administration, organizational development, or any other relevant subject;
-At least 3 years professional experience in development cooperation, public administration or related field;
-International experience in an international organization or NGO will be considered a strong advantage;
-Good understanding of the international development system;
-Ability to interact and establish and maintain good and effective working relations with all relevant parties;
-Well organized, methodical, and able to set priorities and pay attention to details;
-Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural/multinational/multi-stakeholder setting;
-Adequate IT skills;
-Excellent command of written and spoken English;
-Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, (post-)conflict situations, (early) recovery, 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.

Conditions of Service:
A 12-month contract, renewable (depending on availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance); monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to US$ 740  (rate may change based on local cost of living, with due notice given); settling-in-grant (only if current residence outside of duty station); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance upon satisfactory of service and assignment.

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than 20 November 2012 to the following address:
 

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.