UNV Research Assistant

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. Agency Name/ Host Institute:UN ESCWA

2. Volunteer Category: National Specialist

3. Number of Volunteer:  1

4.. Expected Starting Date: April 2018

5. 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 the Office of the Executive Secretary in Beirut. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

6. Assignment Type:  Family Assignment

7. Organizational Context & Project Description:

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) was established pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolutions 1818 (LV) of August 1973 and 69/1985 of July 1985. Its objectives are to support economic and social development in the countries of the region by promoting cooperation and the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, and by encouraging interaction among them and the world to achieve regional integration and synergy between Western Asia and other regions of the world. ESCWA comprises 18 Arab countries in Western Asia: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, The Sudan, The Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, The United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at ESCWA supports the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA in fulfilling his duties, including strategic leadership of the organization and liaison between member States, other regional institutions, and the UN system. It encompasses the office of the Secretary of the Commission, which handles ESCWA intergovernmental processes, relationships with member State representatives and with UN HQ, ESCWA engagement with its stakeholders and other activities related to ESCWA’s visibility and outreach. 

8. Sustainable Development Goals: 17. Partnerships for the Goals

9.UNV Focus Area:  National capacity development via volunteer schemes

10.Task descriptions: The proposed assignment is located within OES. The UN Volunteer will report directly to the Secretary of the Commission and will undertake the following tasks:

•    Produces comprehensive, accurate and timely research on issues related to socio-economic development;
•    Assists in substantive aspects of the work on a variety of topics: selects and evaluates a variety of documents, summarizes pertinent material, collects and analyses data and pre-pares background material for papers, studies, briefs and reports and provides substan-tive inputs to reports;
•    Supports the Office of the Secretary of the Commission in substantive and organizational tasks related to the conduction of the Intergovernmental Meetings;
•    Assists in the formulation of concept notes and project proposals;
•    Prepares a variety of reports, presentations, tables, lists, charts, data sets, and/or dia-grams for information to facilitate the in-depth analysis of information by the supervisor and other users, with an emphasis on data visualization & infographics;
•    Attends a variety of meetings to follow discussions, takes notes and prepares summary reports, notes for the file, correspondence, etc;
•    Drafts and processes internal and external correspondence as requested;
•    Performs other duties as requested.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

•     Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by read-ing 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 publica-tions/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.

11. Results/Expected Outputs:

•    Support provided to OES in the organization of the Intergovernmental Meetings;
•    Research on issues related to socio-economic development timely produced;
•    Needed support provided to OES in the formulation of concept notes and project proposals, and in the preparation of needed presentations, tables, charts, and data sets.
•    The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, 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 dur-ing the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Qualifications / Requirements:

Minimum 22 years old, Lebanese national, or legally resident in Lebanon with the status of refugee or stateless.

12. Experience Description: A minimum of 2 years’ experience. Experience in development/policy research institutions, diplomatic offices or strategic leadership offices is desirable

13. Language Skills: English and Arabic are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, excellent command in oral and written English and Arabic is required.

14. Areas of Expertise:  Economics, finance, administration and human resources  
  
15. Need Driving License:  No

16. 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 own-ership; 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 confi-dentially; 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 envi-ronment.
•    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 prior-ities 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 work-ing relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for di-versity and gender;
•    Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; 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 ob-jective, 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 op-erations; 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 sol-idarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

17. 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 1,913,296.92 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.