UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism tosupport peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature ofdevelopment and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peaceand development
elopment by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism
into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers
volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long
long-established,established, ancient traditions of sharing andansupport 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 coco-workers,
workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote vo
volunteerism
lunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging involunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, aswell as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make thetime they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Assignment Title:

Peacebuilding & Youth Participation Advisor

UNV PRSF, Outcome 4 ‘ Volunteer contributions towards crisis prevention andprogramme countries strengthened and recognised
2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer
3. Project Title:

Peacebuilding and Youth Part
Participation

4. Duration:

1 year

5. Location, Country:

Osh, Kyrgyzstan

6. Expected Starting Date:

March 2013

recovery in UNV

7. Brief Project Description:
In June 2010 a wave of deadly violence began in the multiethnic cities of Osh and Jalal-AbadJalain southern
Kyrgyzstan, internally displacing around 300,000 people and making 75,000 seek refuge
refuin Uzbekistan.
The conflict had acute and pressing humanitarian consequences for as many as 1.1 million people, of
which 400,000 werere estimated to be children. By end-June 2010 thehe situation changed unexpectedly aspractically all refugees from Uzbekist
Uzbekistan
an returned to Kyrgyzstan and at the same time the IDPs from
temporary locations within Kyrgyzstan returned back to their homes in large numbers. However, with morethan 2,000 houses and thousands of other buildings, mainly businesses, destroyed, many returnees
retu
arestill living with host families or relatives or in general under very difficult living conditions.
conditions
Although it lasted intensively only a few days, a with lower intensity only over a few weeks, the fierce
outbreak of ethnic violence that hit southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010 has had a devastating impact onhundreds of thousands of people of both Uzbek and Kyrgyz ethnicity. Its repercussions are far from settled.
In this conflict, as with most others, young people, women and children are among the most vulnerable
groups. While tensions and lack of trust between the two ethnic groups continue, many of those who havelost their homes and livelihoods lack the support they need from local authorities and statestserviceproviders to seek justice and rebuild their lives. Often the lack of support and misuse of power andauthority originate from ethnic bias, thus fuelling the cycle of hatred and animosity. While widespread
violence is not being reported at the ccurrent time, there are continuing sporadic incidences of ethnicallymotivated incidents. The risk of relapse into violence and armed conflict remains high, with cross-bordercross
implications.
Given
iven that the country is highly divided in its political transit
transition
ion process towards a parliamentarydemocracy, the UN system needs to play a key role in facilitating a process of national reconciliation,
foster consensus around key development challenges and contribute to the creation of a culture in whichdisagreementss around political change process and development priorities are handle in a constructive
and peaceful way. The October
tober 2010 elections were peaceful and credible, but there is an uncertain period
in terms of future government’s stability and ability to lea
leadd the country out the current compound crisis.
Variousarious UN organizations and the UN Country Team (UNCT) have responded effectively to the crisis
which began in June 2010. All UN organizations operational in Kyrgyzstan were involved in humanitarian
responsee and early recovery activities. UNICEF promptly responded to the humanitarian crisis with its lifelife
saving and other critical multi-sectorial
sectorial interventions focusing on women and children as per its Core
Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. Towa
Towardrd the end of the year, humanitarian crisis has
become much less acute. Nevertheless, iinn the south of the country, there are persisting humanitarian aswell as early recovery needs. Furthermore, a number of surveys and assessments in the aftermath of theJune
une 2010 crisis have brought to light huge shortcomings and systemic problems related to access to keysocial services. Failure to address these issues now would lead to deterioration of the public health status
and overall well-being
being of the most vulnerabl
vulnerable
e children and communities in Kyrgyzstan.
The situation, overall, is assessed to be unpredictable, with possibility of renewed violence anddeterioration of the humanitarian situation. Kyrgyzstan is widely believed to face a period of politicalinstability, and difficult socio-economic
economic situation, which is compounded by the global food, energy andfinancial crisis. As the situation remains tense in the South and in other parts of the country, it will be
crucial for the UN system to deliver its programmin
programming in a conflict-sensitive
sensitive manner and mainstream conflict
prevention and peace-buildingbuilding into ongoing and future programming to address the root causes of conflict.
Based upon the specific situation of adolescents and youth and the role they played in the 2010 events,
UNICEF supports the development of national capacities to promote civic engagement and participation ofadolescents in activities promoting social cohesion, peacebuilding and reconciliation, while increasing theiraccess to social services and opportunities.
In light of the above, UNICEF is looking for a volunteer to serve as the Peacebuilding & Youth Participation
Advisor. The role of this advisor is to research, validate, implement, monitor and report on peacebuilding
and civic participation across various sectors and programmes
programmes,, particularly how it relates to youth andadolescents. The goal of his or her work is to align UNCIEF programming as it relates to peacebuilding
and civic participation and create a comprehensive and strategic framewo
frameworkrk across the organization.

8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNICEF
9. Organizational Context:
UNICEF wishes to promote the concept of an equity
equity-based
based approach to humanitarian assistance;
this requires focusing on the most vulnerable groups. The Peacebuilding & Youth Participation
Advisor will report directly to the Head of the UNICEF Osh Zone Office with technical advice andsupport coming from Bishkek. In coordinating peacebuilding activities, the volunteer will be expected
to work with each of the programme sections. Programme sections include education and earlychildhood development, health and nutrition, youth, social policy, child protection, disaster risk
reduction, WASH, M&E and communications.

10. Type of Assignment Place: Non
Non-family duty station
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of Head of UNICEF Osh Zone Office, with technical advice and support
from Youth and Adolescent Development Officer the UN Volunteer will undertake the following
tasks:

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Contribute at field level all UNICEF activities related peacebuilding and youth empowerment andensure their timely execution and achieving key results;
Monitor and support the work of implementing partners through regular communication, review ofpartners’ periodic reports, timely identification of risks and initiating needed changes, and provision oftechnical guidance and support for capacity development
development;
Promote close cooperation, communication and involvement with all main stakeholders (Government
at the province/district levels,, UN agencies and implementing partners at the field level);level
Extensive research and study of key sources of relevant information and data, including studies,situation analysis, sector updates and local media updates
updates;
Regular and systematic field
ield visits to key project sites
sites;
Assist in maintaining Youth focal point inside the key stakeholders, such as the relevant government
ministries at central and province levels, NGOs and community-based organizations;
ations;Assist in organizing and conduct
conducting learning seminars/workshops on the methodology of peace andtolerance;
Monitoring and quality evaluation of the seminars/workshops/events conducted, providing consultancy
to trainers and reporting to UNICEF
UNICEF;At the field level, provide
rovide technical and methodological assistance in development/ implementing
UNICEF actions/events to partners, specialists and experts participating in the projects;
project
Preparation and support to official and regular meetings, visits, round tables, press-conferences,
press
etc.;
At the field level, monitor and report on the projects budgets, funds and resources;
resources
Prepare regular monthly and ad hoc narrative reports to supervisor as well as inputs to UN and donor
reports;
Contribute to UNICEF fundraising initiatives;
Networking and building relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and supporting
and/or participating in local volunteering initiatives;
Encouraging, mobilizing and supporting co
co-workers,
workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local
community to play an active part in development on a voluntary basis;
Initiating and/or participating in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories
and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
Discussing with supervisors on how volunteerism for development can be mainstreamed through theassignment and integrating activities that promote volunteerism ffor
or development into work plans;
Building on this DOA template will ensure further advocacy through the promotion of volunteerism
within the programme/projectgramme/project and within the context of the assignment. Including in DOA gives greater
recognition and legitimacy to this commitment with concerned host organizations and partners;
Any other tasks as requested by the supervisor.

Promotion of the United
d Nations Volunteers Programme mandate

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UN volunteers are expected to integrate the UN Volunteers Programme mandate within theirassignment 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 his/her primary role as UNV Peacebuilding and
Youth Particpation Adviser:•

Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the influence and impact of voluntary action bycommunities through the following:o1

research of the subject matter,

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme was created by the General Assembly (GA) in 1970 through GA resolution 26/59.
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
up to the International Year of Volunteers in 2001.

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develop knowledge of non
non-profit
profit community based organizations developing new orapplying traditional methods in engaging with communities,
undertake awarenessawareness-raisingraising (promotion) activities for increased community
participation and action,encourage local people to volunteer thought and action to enhancing their community.

Build relationships with a wide range (private/public) local organizations, groups or individuals andsupport and/or participate in community driven voluntary activities and assist them to tell theirstories to the World Volunteer Web site;
Encourage, mobilize and support coco-workers and fellow
w UN volunteers to better understand theconnections between community participation and voluntarism;
Monitor on a continual basis the impact of policy reform on voluntary action at the community level;
Contribute to articles/write-ups
ups on the findings from the monitoring process and experiences fromthe above outlined activities and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press
releases, etc.;
Promote and/or advise local groups in the use of OV (online volunteering), and encourage relevant
local
cal individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically possible.

12. Results/Expected Output:
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Regular reports on progress and shortcomings in the fields of peacebuilding and youth
participation.
Inputs for key planning, strategic documents, donor reports, joint UN reports, etc.
Provided contextualized advice on community
community-based
based peacebuilding mechanisms and instruments
to measure impact of peacebuilding activities.
Assist in developing tools/programmes that foster youth participation.
Project proposals
ls for funding are developed and submitted to the potential donors.
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, suchas reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities
capacideveloped.

13. Qualifications/Requirements:
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or equivalent work experience) in social sciences,, conflict resolution/peace-building,resolution/peace
Master’s Degree (orinternational relations, political science, development studies or related fields
fields,, preferably with a focus
on youth issues and conflict prevention
prevention.
At least three years of progressive professional international work experience in the area of youth
development and conflict prevention.
Ability to effectively communicate with partners and beneficiaries at the community level.
Extensive field experience.
Strong programme management, capacity development, communication and advocacy skills.
Ability to convey difficult issues and positions, and sensitivity to local cultures.
Ability to work in a high-pressurepressure environment and to handle politically sensitive issues.
Analytical
tical and conceptual ability; commun
communication skills; training skill.
Planning and monitoring skills; abilit
ability to organize work and projects.
Computer skills, including
g internet navigation, and various office applications.
Knowledge of the political, economic and social dynamics of the Central Asia region is an asset.
Fluency in English language required. Knowledge of local language of the duty station, i.e. Russian,
Kyrgyz or Uzbek, is an asset.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multi
multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious
armonious and effective
working relationships, both within and outside the organi
organization.

14. Living Conditions:
Kyrgyzstan is considered to be a developing country, and UNICEF duty station in Osh is under security
Phase 3.
The economy is primarily cash-based.
based. Exchange facilities in Osh are limited and accept primarily US
Dollars and Euros. There are few ATMs in O
Osh.
Air travel is limited. International flights to the capital (Bishkek) are available with Turkish, British, andRussian airlines. Travelers should avoid public transportation, as it is unsafe and unreliable. Roads arepoorly maintained and inadequately lit, and traffic regulations are often ignored. Visitors are strongly urged
to use drivers provided by the UN or UN Travel Agent.
Internet connection is available in major hotels in Bishkek. Internet/landInternet/land-line
line connections are less reliable
outside the Capital.
15. Conditions of Service
A 12-months
months contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs
and utilities, equivalent to US$ 1,845.00 for a single volunteer; US$2,095 for a volunteer with one
dependent or US$2,295
95 for a volunteer with 2 or more dependents; settling-in-grant
grant (if applicable); life,
health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance forsatisfactory service.

Description of Assignment prepared by the UN Agency: Raoul de Torcy, UNICEF Deputy
representative (Representative a.i.)
Date: 7/02/2012

Description of Assignment approved by UNV Field Unit:: Gemma Marie Carnacete, UNV Programme
OfficerDate: 07 February 2013