UN YOUTH VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
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, 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 UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Assignment Title: UN Youth Volunteer in Support of Human Rights-Based Development
2. Type of Assignment: International UN Youth Volunteer
3. UNV Programme Strategy Outcome: Crisis Prevention and Recovery (Outcome 4)
4. Duration: 12 months
5. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment without family
6. Location, Country: Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
7. Expected Starting Date: February 2014
8. Brief Project Description: The Human Rights Adviser is delegated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Moldova. TheHuman Rights Adviserprovides expert support tothe UN Resident Coordinator, the agencies of the UN Country Team in Moldova, the government of the Republic of Moldova, civil society and others in matters related to human rights.The Human Rights Adviser position in Moldova is supported by the agencies of the United Nations Country Team in Moldova. UN Moldova is a One UN context; a UN Volunteer placed with the Human Rights Adviser has the unique opportunity to work on human rights mainstreaming at the forefront of UN reform.
9. Host Agency/Host Institute: Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (Republic of Moldova), in coordination with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) Moldova
10. Organizational Context:
The Human Rights Adviser supervises a small team of national consultants and staff. Embedded in the UN Country Team and Co-Chairing one of three UN-Moldova Partnership Framework Pillar Groups, the Human Rights Adviser works closely with all of the UN agencies of the UN Country Team. In addition the Human Rights Adviser works closely with Government partners involved in human rights reform work, Moldovan civil society organizations (in particular, but not only, human rights NGOs), as well as the Ombuds office. Working closely with the Human Rights Adviser, the UN Volunteer would be directly involved in interface with these people and institutions.
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the Human Rights Adviser the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
· Assists with research and the development of programming in the area of human rights;
· Assists in areas related to documentation and translation, where possible and relevant;
· Provides research assistance and other related support to the Human Rights Adviser;
· Carries out any other tasks in the areas noted above, as well as in other areas pertinent to the UN human rights portfolio;
· Participates in team meetings, exercises, trainings and field visits;
· Develops internship portfolio in consultation with the Human Rights Adviser and other relevants.
Furthermore, UN Youth 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 IVD);
· 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.
12. Results/Expected Output:
· Knowledge products and documents, as requested or assigned, in particular to support human rights reforms in the Republic of Moldova
· Monthly reports to the Human Rights Adviser on activities and developments
· 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.
13. Qualifications/Requirements:
· Relevant higher educational background in social science, law or humanities fields of relevant to the UN Human Rights portfolio in Moldova;
· Competence in written and spoken English;
· Interest in and commitment to human rights;
· Team work and team player skills;
· Expressed willingness to make a genuine contribution to furthering the human rights mission of the UN in Moldova.
14. Living Conditions:
The Republic of Moldova lies in the central part of Europe in the northeastern Balkans. Moldova occupies an area of 33,843.5 km2. The capital of Moldova is Chisinau. On the North, East and South Moldova is surrounded by Ukraine, and on the West it is separated from Romania by the Prut River. The landscape of Moldova consists of hilly plains with an average altitude of about 150 meters (495 feet) above sea level, which flatten gradually toward the southwest. Old forests called codrii cover the central part of the country. Moldova is in an earthquake zone connected to the Carpathian Mountains. The last major earthquake occurred in 1989. Moldova’s two major rivers are the Nistru and the Prut, and a short span of the Danube crosses the extreme southern part of the republic. There are more than 3,000 small rivers or tributaries, of which only seven are longer than 50 miles. Moldova has more than 50 natural lakes and is rich in mineral-water springs.
The country has a temperate climate with four definite seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with an average high temperature in July of 26 degrees Celsius. Winters are cold. Temperatures can remain below -15 degrees Celsius for weeks, and although snowfall is not extreme, it can remain on the ground for a month or more. Spring and autumn are usually beautiful with mild temperatures. Chisinau, the capital, offers a wide variety of cultural and entertainment possibilities, such as opera, ballet, theater, circuses, and nightclubs. The options decrease, however, in proportion to the population of the community. There are also a growing number of cafes and bars in Moldova, which offer diversity of food and drinks. The computerization of Moldova is progressing rapidly, so using internet is the common way to stay in contact with friends and family in the home country.
15. Conditions of Service
The contract is issued for 12 months and is not renewable. A Settling-In-Grant is provided as well as a monthly UN Youth Volunteer living allowance (intended to cover housing, utilities and normal cost-of-living expenses). Life, health and permanent disability insurances are included, as well as return airfares.
Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UN Agency:
Claude Cahn, UN Human Rights Adviser to UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova
Date: 31/05/2013
Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit:
Nicola Harrington-Buhay, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative
Date: 31/05/2013