Mission and objectives

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board.

Context

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. The UNV Field Units (FU) are mainly accountable for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. The UNV Field Units represent and position UNV in the respective countries and bring UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society and private sector. Led by a Programme Analyst (Country Coordinator), the main purpose of each Field Unit is to build and maintain relationships with main partners, and effectively coordinate with the Regional Office and HQ organizational units, on volunteer mobilization, programme implementation, provision of substantive inputs and facilitation of corporate initiatives. The Communications Associate works to support the efforts of the Country Coordinator and provide support to the UNV programme in Nepal through the elaboration of a guiding communication strategy and the application of effective communications products and materials.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the UNV Country Coordinator, the UNV Communications Assistant will: • Develop an office communication strategy and action/work plan; • Identify the key messages and content of the programmes, projects and activities of the Organization to promote relevant information and stories in Nepal through social media; • In close collaboration with the UNV Nepal FU team, maintain the social media ac-counts with timely, relevant and well-presented information; • Monitor the public perception of UNV in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain the Organization’s positive image; • Develop and maintain close collaboration with groups and organizations whose sup-port is essential to the achievement of UNV’s advocacy and communication objectives; • Coordinate media liaison, including sending information, responding to media inquiries, Product, support and follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) • Monitor dissemination of communication materials to target audiences and participate in the evaluation of their impact. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. • Maintain a library of media coverage (videos, articles, etc.); • Organize and support media events or other special events; • Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of media, partners and other special guests or interest groups. The task includes pre-paring information materials (e.g. programme summaries, country fact sheets and other communication materials that are required), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements. • Perform other related duties as required or assigned by the Country Coordinator, UNV Nepal FU. 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 in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • 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 and pro-mote among UN agencies • Sensitized on communications principles and best practices • Experience in working in communications • A good understanding of communications developed • Enhance coordination, reporting, analytical and interpersonal skills • Suggestions and feedback on innovations and improvements provided • 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 peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

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 organization-al 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, re-mote 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; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living conditions and remarks

A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) per month and is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$979.The VLA base rate is a global rate, while the PAM is country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to the cost of living. This method ensures that inter-national UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website (http://icsc.un.org). Furthermore, UN University Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and also in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.