UNV Humanitarian Field Support Assistant

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

Job ID/Title :UNV Humanitarian Field Support Assistant
Brand : UNV
Application Deadline :11-Mar-12
Duty Station :  Ramallah
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Duration of Initial Contract :Three months (renewable)

Background:
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are seeking an experienced National United Nations Volunteer Specialist “Humanitarian Field Support Assistant” for a duration of initial three 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.
The OCHA Office in the occupied Palestinian territory has responsibility for inter-agency coordination in complex emergencies and in natural disasters. In the context of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, the OCHA Office has a specific responsibility for (a) disseminating information and policies to the humanitarian community, authorities and donors, as well as supporting resource mobilization efforts; (b) assisting in the identification of humanitarian priorities and needs and the coordination of resource mobilization efforts; and (c) disseminating information on the impact of complex emergencies, response thereto and the need for international assistance.
The UN Volunteer is expected to serve as an assistant to the OCHA office in the Ramallah / West Bank. The UN Volunteer is expected to provide in-field and in-office services as requested by the Head of the Unit and along the lines of the “Description of Duties” as listed below.

Description of Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Central Unit, the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
-Make regular field visits with Field Coordination Unit (FCU) staff in areas of responsibility for the purposes of monitoring, local coordination and information gathering including needs assessment.
-Monitor humanitarian concerns from a local perspective and regularly update the FCU team on new or developing trends or specific areas of concern.
-Take responsibility for managing FCU information including:
-Electronic shared documents
-Hard copy files of requisition and confiscation orders,
-Picture archiving
-Disbursement of information as necessary
-Provide support to other members of the unit in:
-Writing Minutes of Meetings
-Data entry
-Field trip reports
-Records of completed assignments
-Other records as necessary.
-Provide logistical support for coordination including dissemination of invitations, preparation of information packs and maps, meeting venue and equipment needed.
-Administration
-Ensure timely payment of bills,
-Purchase office supplies.
-Provide additional support to the FCU as 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:
-Re-organization of the filing system and the way humanitarian output and information are stored at the Central FCU Unit.
-Improved the Unit’s data storage in OCHA’s archive system
-The ability of the applicant to carryout presentation to national and international delegations visiting the AOR through Jerusalem and otherwise
-A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during your assignment such as specific of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities.
-A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during your assignment such as specific of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities.

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 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 :
University degree or 3 years work/volunteer experience
-Knowledge of Jerusalem, Ramallah and Jordan Valley
-Computer Skills: MS Word, MS. Excel
-Prior experience with international organizations is an asset
-Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
-Computer skills: The incumbent is expected to be proficient in using all Microsoft software. He/she is expected to be able to fix minor problem that might arise vis-à-vis computer software and hardware as well as networking.

Living Conditions:
As this is a national UNV assignment, the volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Conditions of Service:
An initial 3-month 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$ 870 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 March 11th   2012 to the following address:
http://jobs.undp.ps
UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem
Ref: UNV Humanitarian Field Support Assistant
 
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.