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:

Peace and Security Coordination Specialist

2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer

3. Project Title:

UNCT’s commitments under UNDAF(Peace and Cohesion, Effective Democratic Governance,and Human Rights)

4. Duration:

12 months

5. Location, Country:

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

6. Expected Starting Date:

As soon as possible

7. Brief Project Description:
UNDAF is the strategic programme framework that describes the collective response of the UN system tonational development priorities. It reflects the comparative advantage of the UN by emphasizing thethematic competence of the UN organizations involved, without necessarily highlighting their specificmandates. It shows where the UN system can bring its unique strengths to bear in advocacy, capacity
development, programming, and cutting edge knowledge and policy advice, for the achievement of theinternationally agreed standards and development goals, including MD/MDG related national priorities.
The UNDAF for 2012-2016 was signed by the Government and the UN in March 2011. It includes thefollowing priorities for joint work: (a) Peace and Cohesion, Effective Democratic Governance, and HumanRights; (b) Social Inclusion and Equity; (c) Inclusive and Sustainable Job-Rich Growth for Poverty
Reduction. ‘Peace and stability toward sustainable development’ represents overarching goal.
Two years after the June 2010 events, reconstruction and rehabilitation have progressed but a number ofissues remain. There has been no comprehensive reconciliation process. Ethnic tensions in the south ofthe country remain within an overall climate of nationalist sentiments. Underlying conflict issues at the local
level and national level need to be addressed constructively in order for lasting peace to be built. Inaddition, given the political transition process in the country towards building a parliamentary democracy,
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 disagreements
around political change process and development priorities are handled in a constructive and peaceful way.
The various UN organizations and the UN Country Team (UNCT) did respond to the events in April andJune 2010. The UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) provided substantial financial assistance to the post conflictprogramming to the various UN agencies in Kyrgyzstan. Most UN organizations operational in Kyrgyzstan
were involved in the humanitarian response. As the situation remains tense in the South and in other partsof the country, it will be crucial for the UN system to continue delivering its programming in a conflictsensitive manner and to continue mainstreaming conflict prevention and peace-building into ongoing andfuture programming to address the root causes of conflict.
As part of the One UN and an integral contributing agency in the UNDAF, UNV Kyrgyz Republic hascommitted to the delivery of successful peacebuilding initiatives through volunteer assignments as well as
technical resources assistance.
The UN Volunteer is expected to provide technical support and guidance to the UN system in Kyrgyzstan
to coordinate programming and policy work related to peacebuilding activities targeted to realize theUNCT’s commitments under UNDAF Pillar 1 (Peace and Cohesion, Effective Democratic Governance, andHuman Rights). The volunteer will work to provide technical inputs on peacebuilding issue and provide
coordination services to assist the UN Country Team (UNCT) in formulation, monitoring and coherent
implementation of UNCT peacebuilding interventions in close partnership with national counterparts, civilsociety and other actors. The UN Volunteer will be placed in the Office of UN Resident Coordinator inBishkek.
8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UN system in Kyrgyz Republic
9. Organizational Context:
UN in Kyrgyzstan is a trusted and effective partner in national development efforts designed toachieve real improvements in people’s lives. Its main mission is to strengthen the capacities of key
actors in Kyrgyzstan and to build partnerships to achieve tangible results in the following areas:•••

Accelerate pro-poor development, good governance and environmental sustainability objectives inclose partnership with government, civil society, mass media, the UN system, the private sector
and donors.
Raise awareness of and capacity in cross-cutting themes such as conflict prevention, disaster riskreduction, gender equality and respect for human rights.
Ensure that the UN system is perceived as a single effective team in Kyrgyzstan.

Currently, all UN agencies in Kyrgyzstan are under One UN Programme, which means that collaborationbetween Agencies is being deepened to revitalize the country’s path to achieve sustainable, pro-poor andnationally owned development results. The One UN Programme thus is the vehicle through which theUNCT will continue to support the Government to tackle current social, political and economic challenges,through joint programming, One Fund, joint communications, joint resource mobilization, andharmonization and simplification of business practices. Therefore, the UN Volunteer will work with all UN
agencies, local government organization and the local communities to advocate for peace-building and toachieve UNDAF goals, which eventually will lead to achievement of sustainable development andestablishing peace, tolerance and mutual understanding in the country.
10. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment with family
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator for Kyrgyz Republic, the UN Volunteer
will undertake the following tasks:
Policy Advice, Analysis and Reporting•Support and promote mechanisms of joint UNCT engagement in policy development and conflict
analysis.

•Coordinate reporting processes on ongoing peacebuilding activities including under PBF funding,and provide inputs to reports and various briefing notes.

Programme Design, Implementation and Resource Mobilization••

Provide advice to UN organizations in relation to the implementation of conflict prevention,
reconciliation and peace-building initiatives and programmes and advocate for joint activities;
In close coordination with the RC, liaise with governmental and non-governmental organizations,and donors active in the field on conflict prevention, reconciliation, and peace and development,
and identify opportunities for partnership building and resource mobilization.

Conflict Sensitivity and Prevention Mainstreaming• Support the UNCT and individual UN organizations to mainstream conflict prevention and conflictsensitivity into their programming and strategies (including conducting trainings, support in theidentification of consultancies, conflict sensitivity review of project/ programme plans, etc.).
• Facilitate that conflict prevention and peace-building are integrated into the implementation of thenew UNDAF 2012-2016.
Capacity Development and Knowledge Sharing• Support the UNCT to strengthen the capacity in conflict prevention through training and knowledge
networking.
• Document lessons learned emerging from joint conflict prevention programming and activities andsharing with different UN organizations in Kyrgyzstan.
Coordination on Issues of Conflict Prevention and Peace-building• Enhance cooperation and collaboration between UN organizations (and other stakeholders, i.e.
NGOs, donors, etc.) to jointly address issues of reconciliation, peace-building and conflict
prevention, especially with regards to the implementation of PBF interventions• In close coordination with the RC, build and maintain close working relationships with theGovernment counterparts on issues of conflict prevention in order to enhance national ownership.
• Assist UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes to enhance synergies between conflict prevention
programmes. Maintain close contacts with conflict prevention focal points in various UN
organizations and other actors, contributing to joint policies/ approaches in conflict prevention andpeacebuilding as necessary.
• Closely collaborate with the Department of Political Affairs and its Regional Centre for Preventive
Diplomacy (UNRCCA), UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) and otherexisting programmes and institutions working on conflict prevention in the UN system and outside(e.g. OSCE, NGOs, bilateral donors and international organizations).
• Closely collaborate with the Peace and Development Advisor to ensure synergies and cooperation
benefitting all UN agencies.
• Perform other duties as and when required by the UN RC and the UNCT.
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 (for instance in events that markIVD);
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 technicallypossible.

12. Results/Expected Output:•••••••••••Coordination of the implementation of the IRF funded peacebuilding projects is undertaken , including:o Regular coordination meetings of the IRF focal points are convenedo Quarterly Steering Committee meetings at the Heads of Agency level are convened.
Presentations to the UNCT on IRF implementation are organizedo Support to joint reporting when and where required is providedo Liaising with the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund & Peacebuildign Fundo Providing technical advice on the implementation of the projects, including follow up to theoutcomes of the IRF evaluation
Concise monthly activity reports are produced.
Leadership in the designing new programme for the peacebuilding programmes is undertaken.
Coordination process of drafting any new submissions to PBF is undertaken.
UN Agencies are assisted at the request of the UNCT to compile reporting under existing and future
programmes funded from the PBF.
Documentations on ongoing peacebuilding programmes of the UN agencies are compiled.
Technical support is provided to the UN Agencies in approaching donor organizations.
Monthly field trips are undertaken to the project sites to review and conduct monitoring of the ongoing
UN peacebuilding activities. Visits to the completed UN peacebuilding projects are also undertaken.
PBF recipient agencies are assisted in developing consolidated information briefs on the UN
peacebuilding activities and when required provide this information to the existing systems anddatabases.
Brochures and advocacy materials in the area of UN peacebuilding activities in Kyrgyzstan are draftedand finalized.
UNCT peacebuilding programming pertaining to Infrastructure for Peace as articulated in theUNDAF 2012-2016 Pillar 1 Outcome 1 is tracked.
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 developed.

13. Qualifications/Requirements:••••••

Post graduate degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations,Communications or related fields
Highly developed interpersonal skills and capacity to work in a team environment
Experience in programme design, management, capacity development, communication and advocacy.
Knowledge of the political, economic and social dynamics of the Central Asia region would be anasset.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.
Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

14. Living Conditions:
The physical location of the UN volunteer will be in the capital of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The UN Volunteer isadvised to rent a UN Department Safety and Security approved apartment or house.
Bishkek is safe and nice place to live. The city has all necessary infrastructure and services are accessible.
15. Conditions of ServiceA 24-months contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needsand utilities, equivalent to US$ 1,845.00 for a single volunteer; US$2,095 for a volunteer with one
dependent or US$2,295 for a volunteer with 2 or more dependents; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life,health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance forsatisfactory service.

Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UN Agency:
Gemma Marie Carnacete, UNV Programme Officer
Date: 17 January 2013

Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit:
Mr. Alexander Avanessov, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative
Date: 17 January 2013