Description of Assignment
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UN 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: UNV Political Affairs Officer 2. Type of Assignment: International UN Volunteer (22) 3. Project Title: MINUSCA’s Political Affairs Division 4. Duration: From Entry on Duty (EOD) until 30 June 2015 initially (with possible extension depending on Mission’s mandate, operational necessity and satisfactory performance) 5. Location, Country: Bangui, Bambari, Bria, Bossangoa, Bouar and Kaga- Bandoro, Ndele, Berberati, Bangassou, Paoua, Birao and Obo, Central African Republic (CAR) 6. Expected Starting Date: Immediate 7. Brief Project Description: Further to the Security Council resolution 2149 (2014), MINUSCA is mandated to “devise, facilitate, coordinate and provide technical assistance to the political transition and electoral process”, to assist Transitional Authorities in mediation and reconciliation processes at both the national and local levels and to provide good offices and political support to address the root causes of the conflict. To this end, PAD has proposed to focus its activities in support of a conducive environment to promote national dialogue and reconciliation and to support the political process. 8. Host Agency/Host Institute: The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) 9. Organizational Context: Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) 10 April 2014 and eventually took over authority from the African-led International Support Mission to Central African Republic (MISCA) on 15 September 2014. (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/). 10. Type of Assignment: Non-family duty station 11. Description of tasks: The UN volunteer Political Affairs Officer will report directly to the Director of the Political Affairs Division or a designated officer and will be responsible for the following duties: 1) Political Analysis and Advice Provide country-specific and regional analyses on the impact of developments in CAR and in the region, and make policy recommendations for UN response. Identify, analyze and monitor political developments and emerging issues with respect to the implementation of the Mission’s mandate, assess implications and make recommendations on policies, strategies and other measures to address the issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives. Monitor progress towards an inclusive political dialogue and the implementation of the transitional process. Provide advice, in coordination with the Electoral Affairs Division, to the National Electoral Authority, political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders, including donors, on electoral issues as they relate to the political dialogue and longer term peace process. 2) Reporting and Information Management Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, code cables and input for the reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, General Assembly or other bodies. Prepare contextual information materials; such as background notes, political profiles and databases of relevance to the assigned portfolio; Manage information to ensure its accessibility and utility. 3) Planning, Coordination and Facilitation Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, Government representatives, civil society actors, military and law enforcement actors, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners on information- sharing, policy and coordination matters. Support national efforts to develop inclusive political dialogue mechanisms to address root causes of conflict with all main stakeholders, including signatories of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and plans of action to address political challenges, in pursuit of shared objectives; Monitor, evaluate and report on implementation. Assist in the organization of meetings and mission events, prepare written summaries and conduct follow-up activities as appropriate and draft correspondence, political reports, analyses and talking points for Mission Leadership. Participate in fact-finding –and other-missions; Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and assist with follow-up activities, as appropriate. Perform other relevant duties as required. When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training. 12. Results/Expected Output: Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the Political Affairs Division. A substantial number of analytical papers in French and English, including daily, weekly sitreps, code cables, talking points, background notes, speeches, press release on the political situation in CAR produced. Research and analysis on political-related issues in CAR documented. High-level meetings for government officials, UN delegations or any other parties supported. 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 Promotion of the UN Volunteer programme mandate1 UN Volunteers are expected to integrate the UNV programme mandate within their assignment as well as promote voluntary action through engagement with communities (urban & rural) during the course of their work. As such UN Volunteers should dedicate a proportion of their working week to the following in support of and in synergy with their primary role as UN Volunteer. a. Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the influence of voluntary action by the communities serviced directly or indirectly by MINUSCA by doing the following; i. Research of the subject matter; ii. Develop knowledge of related non-profit community based organizations and promote major issues of these organizations through voluntary actions that will influence development and peace-building initiatives; iii. Undertake awareness-raising (promotion) activities in communities that will increase knowledge of issues of interest to MINUSCA and UNV mandate; iv. Encourage communities to volunteer thoughts and actions to the development of their communities on the basis of core child protection issues of concern. b. Build relationships with a wide range (private/public) of Community Based Organizations, (CBO’s) Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) - to support and/or participate in community driven voluntary activities and assist them to tell their stories to the World Volunteer Web site; c. Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers and fellow UN Volunteers to better understand the connections between MINUSCA mandate and volunteerism; d. Monitor on a continual basis the impact of integrating issues, activities and voluntary action at the community level; 1The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was created by the General Assembly (GA) in 1970 through GA resolution 26/59. Since then, UNV’s mandate has been expanded by GA resolution 31/131 in 1976, GA resolution 56/38 in 2001 and others in the follow-up to the International Year of Volunteers in 2001. e. Contribute to articles/write-ups on the peace-building and development process and experiences from the above outlined activities and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; f. Promote and/or advise CSO’s and Citizens groups in the use of OV (online volunteering), and encourage relevant - groups to use OV whenever – technically possible.