UN Youth Volunteer in Communications

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. Country of Assignment:  Lebanon

2. Agency Name/ Host Institute:    United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

3. Volunteer Category: National Youth

4. Number of Volunteer:  1

5.  Duty Station: Beirut

6.  Duration (in months): 6        

7.  Expected Starting Date:  April 2018

8. Living Conditions:    As this is a national UNV assignment, the incumbent will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Beirut, Lebanon National UN Youth Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

9. Assignment Type/Place: Family Assignment

Assignment Place Remark: UN Youth Volunteer assignments are always without family.

10. Organizational Context & Project Description:

UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. UN-Habitat is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities.The UN Youth Volunteer will report to and work closely with the Program Support Officer within the Operations unit and will carry out tasks related to Media activities, advocacy, outreach, information product and visibility materials. The UN Youth Volunteer will help and support to raise awareness about the work of the organization and ensure the visibility of UN-Habitat.

11. Sustainable Development Goals: 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

12. UNV Focus Area:  Peace building

13. Task descriptions: Under the direct supervision of the Program Support Officer, Head of Operations Unit, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Updating and improving UN-Habitat website’s content in coordination with the Communication Team in Regional Office of Arab States (ROAS) and HQ;
• Writing success stories in both Arabic and English languages for UN-Habitat website;
• Assisting in gathering information and stories ideas from the different units in UN-Habitat and during field visits;
• Collecting stories from the field and interviewing beneficiaries;
• Creating a source pool of high picture of beneficiaries for UN-Habitat publications, website and advocacy material;
• Documenting UN-Habitat projects and events by taking photos;
• Collecting, compiling and finalizing information related to key advocacy material for the country office and projects;
• Assisting at public events such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, provide assistance in the logistical preparations for public events (such as press conferences, media field visits, workshops…);
• Drafting press releases and collecting press clippings;
• Posting information on social media;
• Providing assistance to ensure media coverage to UN-Habitat’s events and activities;
• Liaising with Communication Focal points in ROAS to posting updates on UN-Habitat’s website: press releases, press clippings events and activities & publications. Again, the same should be done in coordination with the RC communication focal person in Beirut;
• Maintaining & updating information databases for all stakeholders, governmental institutes, NGOs, universities, press, media, TV and, etc…);
• Providing assistance in editing and reviewing of reports & translations submitted;
• Providing support in producing reports/publications;
• Creating a communication and visibility database with all documents translated, documents produced, relevant publications, training modules, projects reports, workshops and conferences reports, photography, videos and others;
• Preparing a work plan to enhance the visibility of the project’s activities, in line with the project visibility plan and donor external actions visibility requirements;
• Undertaking any other related duties as requested by the supervisor

Furthermore, UN Youth 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 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;
• 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.

14. Results/Expected Outputs

• High quality information material developed and public events well-organized ;
• The key results have an impact on the effective communication and dissemination of information on the humanitarian response in Lebanon and UN-Habitat’s work in the country as UN’s global humanitarian network. The key results have an impact on the implementation of UN communications and publication strategies, as well as reaching resource mobilization targets;
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

• 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

15. Required Experience: Minimum of 6 months

16. Experience Description:     

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 2 years) in Communications;
• Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
• Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
• Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others);
• Help implement communications strategies;
• Provide administrative support to programs and internal teams;
• Draft and edit communications copy (e.g. press releases, publications, social media posts);
• Assist in maintaining web content and executing social media strategies;
• Update databases and media lists;
• Track projects and media exposure;
• Facilitate effective internal communications;
• Maintain calendars and appointments;
• Prepare presentations and reports.
• Experience in drafting and editing materials and communications

Learning expectations

Learning and development are a central part of the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment and take place before, during and after his or her assignment in the field. Ideally, offering diverse opportunities for learning and development aim to strengthen the volunteer’s skills and competences, improve the quality of the assignment and keep the volunteer’s motivation high.

Learning elements for the UN Youth Volunteer include the development of:

• Professional skills: including specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abilities; and on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview skills, CV preparation, job searching.
• Inter-personal skills: including communication and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management.
• Volunteering-related skills: including leadership; civic responsibility; and engagement and active participation.

Beyond the learning opportunities provided by UNV, the host agency will support knowledge and capacity development in the technical areas that are relevant to the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment. The host agency will provide, at its expense, UN Youth Volunteers with equal opportunity to participate in training courses and workshops offered to its personnel.

17. Areas of Expertise:            Communication, mass media and art  

Additional Requirements for Area of Expertise: Graphic design, photography

18. Need Driving License:  No

19. 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;
• 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;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

20. Conditions of Service:

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Moving travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of LBP 1,530,637.50 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Well-being Differential of 15% (WBD-A) or 30% (WBD-B) of the VLA will apply, paid on a monthly basis, depending on the ICSC classification of the duty station. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as return travel of (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.  

Disclaimer:

The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.