International UNV Volunteer Specialist on Gender

International UNV Volunteer Specialist on Gender
 
UNV VOLUNTEER TERMS OF REFERENCE

Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers is the UN organization that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer action in all its diversity.

This post is a UNV volunteer assignment based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer as well as the society at large. It enhances social cohesion and enriches communities.

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 your understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between yourself and the people in your host community. This will make the time you spend as UNV volunteer even more rewarding and productive.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNV Post Title:         International UNV Volunteer Specialist on Gender
Unit:                            Gender Team
Duty Station:                   UNIFEM Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Duration:                       Two years (with possible extension)
Location, Country:               Hanoi, Vietnam
Report to:                              Country Programme Manager
UNIFEM Vietnam
Expected starting date :        May 2008  Subject to funding availability
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Host Agency/Host Institute
UNIFEM is consolidating and expanding its work and presence in Vietnam, under the purview of the UNIFEM East and Southeast Asia Regional Office (SRO), Bangkok. Vietnam is a pilot country for the "One UN" initiative, whose objective is UN system wide coherence for greater development impact. Under the "One UN Pilot" UN organizations will work together as a coordinated UN Country Team (UNCT) under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator and with a view to having common programmes, a common budget budgets and a common administrative system. UNIFEM is one of the six UN agencies currently part of the one UN Pilot, and is committed to strengthening its support to Vietnam through its programme activities and resources that have been integrated into the One UN Plan; through the development of new programmes; through technical and other support to the RC and UNCT to establish and implement programme focused on gender equality and women's empowerment and to mainstream gender into the work of the UN system as a whole

Description of Duties
Under the supervision of the Country Programme Manager, UNIFEM Vietnam, the UN Volunteer Specialist on Gender will focus in the following areas:

a) Act as key source of knowledge building and networking on gender;

b) Assist UN/UNIFEM team in strengthening and reinforcing gender mainstreaming into the UN/UNIFEM Country  Programmes / projects and thecountry office work.

c) Advise and assist UN/UNIFEM team, including UN/UNIFEM senior management, in UN/UNIFEM advocacy work on the topics of gender equality and mainstreaming.

d) Assist in identifying and formulating UNIFEM programme support on gender as well as in managing UN Joint Gender Programme  to ensure that UNIFEM programmes/projects are developed and implemented in the most strategic way to provide value-added to the national efforts in the fields of Gender equity in Viet Nam, taking into account other domestic and external activities therein;

Key Tasks and responsibilities
1. Key source of knowledge building and networking on gender: In cooperation with other members of UN/UNIFEM team, actively facilitate the process of consultations and contribute to the production of analytical works and advocacy on the topics of gender equality and mainstreaming. Take active parts in strengthening extensive networks (such as Gender Action Partnership, Gender Action Network, UN Gender Working Group, etc.) with national agencies, United Nations Country Team, international donors, foundations and international and local NGOs to build and share knowledge on gender equity and mainstreaming issues, advocate common positions and provide feedback to national and donor partners on priorities and on-going UN/UNIFEM efforts in these fields as needed;

2. Gender expertise in the UNIFEM Country programmes/projects and country office work: Act as UNIFEM resource person on gender equity and mainstreaming and provide advice to staff on gender mainstreaming into UN programmes/projects, and office work, particularly on areas of One UN Initiative. This includes providing strategic inputs and support in the preparation of the One UN Initiative policies, working groups, reviewing programme/project documents and UNIFEM staffing
plans/human resource management policies to identify the areas and recommend solutions for the improvement and identifying of training needs for UN staff on gender equity.

3. UNIFEM/UN advocacy work on the topics of gender equality and mainstreaming: Take direct participation in UN/UNIFEM advocacy on gender equity and mainstreaming.  These activities will be highlighted at certain times of the year, in particular International and National Women’s Days, 25 November as the UN Day for the Elimintaion of Violence Against women, and the 16 days of activism against violence (25 November-10 December).   In addition there may be other joint UN
gender activities such as joint gender training.

4. Identifying, formulating and managing UNIFEM programme support on gender: including joint UN programming on gender: In consultation with other UNIFEM/UN staff, identify the strategic areas for gender support, develop programme/project concept notes. Work in close collaboration with the national counterparts, UN and other international partners, to develop concrete programmes/projects of UNIFEM and joint UN programmes support on gender equity and mainstreaming to ensure that the programmes/projects build on UN/UNIFEM comparative advantages, synergy and harmony with other UN/UNIFEM and partners’ programmes/projects. Manage and monitor UNIFEM-supported country and regional projects on gender to ensure both efficiency and high impact of project delivery. This includes
(i) ensuring the strategic dissemination of project results and lessons learned to generate debates and policy improvements in the field and
(ii) to mobilise non-core resources necessary to support UN/UNIFEM activities in the fields. .

5. Promote volunteerism and mobilise voluntary resources for these programme areas: stimulate national partners to involve volunteers in their projects, recruit online and on-site volunteers where they can assist, identify opportunities to involve UN Volunteers, interns and other volunteers to support activities that contribute to the MDGs, with focus on MDG 3 (i.e. promote gender equality and empower women).

6. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the senior management and the supervisor.

 Management arrangements

This post will be located within the UNIFEM Country Programme Office.
The incumbent will report to the Country Programme Manager UNIFEM Vietnam.

 Qualifications/Requirements

- Prefer  Masters degree in development, gender topics or related field;
- At least 5 years of relevant, proven expertise in Gender and other social/development issues;
- Thorough understanding of policies, priorities, programmes and reforms in the field of gender equity and mainstreaming at national level; strong conceptual, understanding and analytical skills on social sector issues, as they link with poverty and human development;
- Knowledge of relevant policies and programmes in Viet Nam or other Asian countries is an asset;
- Knowledge of priority programmes and activities by other international donors, foundations and NGOs is an asset;
- Previous volunteer experience is desired;
- Work experience with another international organization would be an asset.

Competencies
- Strong analytical and conceptual thinking
- Strong communication, advisory, networking and advocacy skills
- Excellent written and presentation skills (English)
- Ability to adapt in a new working environment and work in a multi-cultural team and to deliver under pressure/meet deadlines
- The necessary computer skills with competence in MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, Netscape/MS Outlook are required.

Language skills
- Strong writing and speaking skills in English are essential;
- Knowledge of Vietnamese is an asset.
- This is an Australia-funded position, and therefore only Australian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

Conditions of service
International UNV volunteers in Viet Nam receive a volunteer living allowance (VLA), which is intended to cover their accommodation and basic living expenses. In Viet Nam the VLA is  $US 1,847 per month (single), $US2,097 (1 dependant), $US 2,297 (2 or more dependants). They also receive a settling-in grant on commencing their assignment and a resettlement allowance on successful completion. Full medical and life insurance is provided, and they are entitled to 30 days annual leave.

Promotion of Volunteerism
As a UNV volunteer, you are expected to promote volunteerism and/or engaging in volunteering activities. As such you are encouraged to:

- Attend UNV annual result workshop (2-3 days)
- Strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and other publications and taking active part in UNV activities;
- Get acquainted with traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host community;
- Network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives;
- Encourage and mobilize co-workers, fellow UNV volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in the development of their community;
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups. Assist them in submitting stories, experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of OV (online volunteering), or encourage relevant local individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically possible.

Application procedures

Interested international candidates should include a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and an application letter (both in English) marked: “Application for the post of IUNV volunteer Specialist on Gender” to the address below or via email to unv@undp.org.vn.

* UNV Office
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
25-29 Phan Boi Chau Street
Hanoi

*** Deadline: 20  April 2008

Acknowledgement will be sent to short-listed applicants only.

Related Articles  한국 국제 기구, 해외 봉사 관련 단체 링크 :  UNV 소개United Nations Volunteers   UN Online Volunteering UN MDG UN Security  UN 취업, 채용 : JPO(UN 초급전문가) NCRE(UN 국별경쟁시험)