UN Volunteer Programme Associate, (Beirut Mount Lebanon, Zahle, Tripoli, Tyre and Qobayat) - 9 Positions

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.

Organizational Context & Project Description:

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Under the supervision of the supervisor in the zonal office, the UN Volunteer will provide professional technical assistance and support for programme design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of achievement of programme goals and objectives.

Task descriptions: Under the direct supervision of Zahle zonal office Programme Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

•    Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate level databases;
•    Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance.

2. Programme Development and Management

•    Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress;
•    Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system;
•    Analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects;
•    Draft or prepare programme work plans as required;
•    Propose adjustments/changes in work plans;
•    Propose program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices for supervisor.

3. Optimum Use Of Program Funds

•    Monitor programme implementation progress and compliance; 
•    Monitor the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated;
•    Take appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

•    Undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action;
•    Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation;
•    Participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery;
•    Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.  Collaborate and prepare annual program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

5.  Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

•    Support rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks;
•    Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality of child rights-based programmes consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects;
•    Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design;
•    Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women, and recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of stated objectives.

6.  National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

•    Provide government authorities with technical assistance and supports in planning and organizing training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability;
•    Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners by identifying these partners and partnerships and providing continuous supports, coordination and collaboration for sustainability.

7. Rights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

•    Analyze programme related issues and policies from a children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policy debates;
•    Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

8.  Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

•    Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies;
•    Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data;
•    Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability; 
•    Approve allocation and disbursement of funds ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments (PBA);
•    Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for overall coordination;
•    Provide professional support in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by UNICEF programme.

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 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.

Education – Required Degree Level: Bachelor's degree

Type of degree: University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.

Required Experience: minimum years of experience 2

Experience Description:

•    Two years of relevant professional work experience;
•    Field work experience;
•    Background/familiarity with Emergency context.

Language Skills: Fluency in English and Arabic

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.