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 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 andsupport 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 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:

Pacific Regional Recruitment and Partnership Specialist

2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer

3. Project Title:

UNDP MDG Project – Technical Assistance to Support Fiji Volunteer
Service4. Duration:

12 months

5. Location, Country:

Suva, Fiji

6. Expected Starting Date:

ASAP

7. Brief Project Description:
UNV Field Unit based at the Multi Country Office Fiji is supporting the Fijian government (SPC) tocommence the demand driven Fiji Volunteer Scheme segment that sends out volunteers to the various
Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) on behalf of regional development cooperation. It is expected that thisregional development cooperation initiative will evolve into a regional volunteer exchange scheme. The
design was launched in July 2011 at a high level meeting amongst Pacific Island Government officials inNadi, Fiji. Seven PIC’s leaders signed an MOU’s – Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru andMarshall Islands – with the intend to commit themselves to support initiatives that facilitate labour mobility
across the region and concretize materialize regional cooperation for development based on volunteerism.
A regional volunteer scheme is desirable to utilize already available skills in the region to support skills indemand in other PICs, to upgrade skills of the populace of PICs where there are not suitable training
centers and to scale down the high expenses of international consultants, who nevertheless are needed onbehalf of government or to advance market segments.
As part of the overarching objective to promote a spirit of volunteerism, Clause 75 of the National
Employment Center (NEC), Decree No.54 of 2009 was created to establish the Fiji Volunteer Service(FVS). The FVS augurs well with the idea of volunteerism in the region which was supported by the PacificIsland Leaders Meeting in Nadi on 2nd September 2011 where the FVS proposal was presented by thePermanent Secretary for the Public Service Commission. FVS will target those countries that attended thePacific Leaders Meeting which includes Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), French Polynesia,
Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, PNG, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. For the portion ofthe FVS whereby volunteers will be send out regionally, initially experienced graduates and skilled retirees
are able to become engaged in this volunteer scheme on behalf of development assistance between thevarious PICs. Fiji will send out volunteers as an exchange between governments agencies to begin with,based upon requests. To facilitate volunteer sending initiative, it is important to develop and put in place anappropriate operational framework and infrastructure with clearly outlined terms and conditions compatible
to the living standards for volunteers in the host country and clear procedures and regulations between
sending and receiving agencies. It is important to assist the government in the development andimplementation of the operational framework including supporting infrastructures and ethical baselines toassist the governments’ effectively and efficiently implementation and management of the volunteer
scheme and ultimately achieve the policy objectives of countries’ development and productive employment
creation. To assist in the sound facilitation of the programme, an International UN Volunteer is requested
to support the governments with finalization of the operational framework, assist processes for volunteer
recruitment and advocacy, and partnership management amongst stakeholders to support the quick – offof and appropriate continuation of this programme.
8. Host Agency/Host Institute: Public Service Commission
9. Organizational Context:
The technical assistance will be included as an activity under the existing UNDP MDG Project of the Fijian
government. It will contribute towards national owned interventions to address MGD1 gaps as per Fiji’s2010 MDG assessment report. The UN Volunteer will be based at the Public Service Commission (PSC) inSuva. The Commission will provide secretariat support and relevant resources. A peer review teamconsisting of Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics; PSC, the Ministry ofLabour; UNV, UNDP and in particular the Pacific Center, JICA, KOICA and AVI will provide technicaladvice to the Government of Fiji in reviewing the work of the UN Volunteer.
10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Commission, the UNV
Pacific Regional Recruitment and Partnership Specialist will undertake the following tasks:
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Provide a schedule of recommended rates of living allowance payable to regional volunteers
engaged per host country.
Facilitation and production of an appropriate, self-sustainable and affordable regional operational
recruitment system and infrastructures for the volunteer sending body, support the establishmentof regional agreement regarding volunteer assignments, volunteer compacts, health and safety
insurances.
Develop and maintain a pre-departure orientation programme for Fiji Volunteers assigned tointernational postings in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant
stakeholders.
Assist the governments with convening meetings, liaison amongst the various stakeholders, fundraising and other activities on behalf of the sustainability of the volunteer scheme.
Initiate and maintain partnership with humanitarian development agencies on behalf of the FVS.
Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for impact on policy objectives and assessment ofthe regional volunteer scheme.
Assist the PSC with advancing the administration of the volunteer tracking, assessment of needs
and requests for volunteers within the region.
Support the PSC with any other tasks to support the smooth guidance and implementation of theregional volunteer scheme on behalf of cooperative a.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged 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;
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 undertake, including participation in
ongoing reflection activities;

Contribute articles/ write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, 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 technicallypossible.

12. Results/Expected Output:
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Finalized and agreed upon contextualized Condition of Services.
Submitted proposed and analyses of Pro – forma costs including minimal insurance costs.
Agreements desired and finalized accommodation with host agencies.
Developed of a pre-departure orientation guide/ compact.
Assistance to a finalized administration tracking, matching and evaluation of the volunteer system.
Provision of appropriate M & E scheme to track impact of UNV in programming.
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.

13. Qualifications/Requirements:

A university degree Human Resource Management, Disaster Management, Public Administration,Social Sciences, or related field.
5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in Humanitarian Assistance orPrivate Sector experience.
Excellent technical knowledge of Microsoft;
Excellent communication and analytical skills
Experience working in the Pacific would be an advantage.

Computer Skills:
Experience in the usage of computers and an office software package (MS Word, Excel, Power point)
is necessary.
Good understanding of relational databases at the user level.

Competencies:
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Professionalism and integrity: demonstrated ability to apply good judgment, maintain confidentiality
and be accurate and objective.
Ability to take initiative, ownership, and work independently under established procedures.
Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and systems.
Ability to plan, coordinate and manage multiple activities and adjust to changing priorities.
Ability to organize and implement training aimed at building capacity of implementers/service
providers.
Willingness to accept wide responsibilities,
Ability to coordinate work with others, work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle
multiple concurrent projects/activities.
Communication: good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to draft clear andconcise reports.
Good interpersonal skills; teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively acrossorganizational boundaries.
Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi -cultural,multiethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Flexibility and willingness to live and work in a remote location.
Commitment towards the UN Core Values.

14. Living Conditions:Fiji, one of the larger countries of the South Pacific region, has a relatively high level of humandevelopment. Its multi-ethnic population, which numbers approximately 800,000, is growing slowly dueto a moderately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration. The economy rests primarily on sugar
production and tourism but is becoming more diverse, with manufacturing now an important sector ofemployment. Fiji comprises of approximately 330 islands, about one - third are inhabited. It covers about
1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua
Levu. The capital city is Suva and is located on the South Eastern side of the main island of Viti Levu.
After nearly a century as British colony, Fiji became independent in 1970. Today Fiji has one of the mostdeveloped economies of the Pacific islands.
English is spoken fluently and it is the common language of communication although the native
indigenous Fijian language is spoken by many as is the Hindi language. Fiji enjoys year round tropicaltemperatures of between 25-29 degrees making it the perfect location for sun-lovers. The unit ofcurrency is Fiji Dollar.
15. Conditions of Service:
A 12 month contract; monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA) intended to cover basic needs,
accommodation and utilities equivalent to USD 2099 for a single person, USD 2349 for a person with one
dependent and USD 2549 for a person with two or more dependents will be provided. In addition thesuccessful UN Volunteer will also receive a settling in grant (if applicable); life, health and permanent
disability insurance; return airfare (if applicable); resettlement allowance of USD 150 per month ofsatisfactory service. All UN Volunteers are required to follow the Revised UNV Conditions of Service
which came into effect in September 2008.
How to apply:
If you are not yet registered in the UNV database, please apply by completing the UNV web application atthe following link: http://one.unv.org/main/?Lang=en .
If you are registered in the UNV database, please update your profile at: http://MyProfile.unv.org, click on
the “Special Recruitment” option on the left menu, then click on the “Edit” button and select theadvertisement.
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications fromqualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality andculture.
Closing Date: 26 January 2013. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.