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:

UNV Economic Development and Community Resilience Specialist

2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer

3. Project Title:

UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan

4. Duration:

12 months

5. Location, Country:

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

6. Expected Starting Date:

March, 2013

7. Brief Project Description:

Considering existing tensions in Central Asia
Asia,, enhancing cooperation requires complex programmaticinterventions combining approaches to community resilience, economic cooperation and livelihoods(especiallyespecially targeting unemployed youth that are at risk of getting involved in organized crime, smuggling/smuggling
drug trafficking or other activities that have a destabilizing impactimpact) in vulnerable local communities topromote stability.
To address these challenges UNDP Country Offices in Central Asia have agreed to collaborate on thestrengthening of cooperation in Central Asia. The UN Volunteer working in Uzbekistan will contribute to thecoordination and management of interventions that will help strengthening the resilience of vulnerable local
communities in areas including border areas and improving the livelihoods
ihoods of at risk population in thesecommunities through economic developmentdevelopment. The UN Volunteer will also contribute to programme designand development of a framework for cooperation in Central Asia. Support to vulnerable local communities
will include training,raining, institution building, and mentoring of working groups and key local stakeholders tobuild their resilience, making them better able to prevent or resolve tensions, enhance economic
cooperation and trade. The UN Volunteer shall act as a focal point to facilitate the role of women’s groups
in peacebuilding among the vulnerable local communities. Confidence-buildingbuilding and youth livelihoods
activities will be identified in partnership with working groups and communities to reduce the sociosocioeconomic drivers of tension in these areas and address tension
tensions including those related to theenvironment and sharing
aring of natural resources.

8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP
9. Organizational Context:
Under the direct supervision of Deputy Resident Representative and technical guidance from the
Economic Adviser on socio-economic
economic issues
issues, the UN Volunteer shall work in close cooperation with the
Economic Governance, Good Governance and Environment and Energy Units of UNDP.
10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of Deputy Resident Representative and with technical guidance from the
Economic Adviser on socio-economic
economic issues
issues, the UN Volunteer will work towards promoting economic
development opportunities and building community resilience within vulnerable local communities as a way
to promote stability and cooperation and reduce tensions. S/he shall undertake the following tasks:•••••••••

Explore opportunities to expand current and new programmatic activities in vulnerable localcommunities as a way to promote stability and coopera
cooperation and reduce tensions.
Lead the coordination of economic development and community resilience opportuinities invulnerable local communities by linking UNDP programmatic activities in these areas in
Uzbekistan with relevant relevant UNDP area-based offices in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Ensure that any programming includes a thorough analysis of the vulnerability context, needs andcapabilities of the targeted community including promoting participation of youth and women’sgroups where possible
Support the development and implementation of an framework for cooperation in Central Asia,Identify and follow up on potential opportunities for resource mobilization in support of economic
development and community resilience in vulnerable local communities. This may include support
from bilateral development partners, the international financial institutions, as well as cost-sharing
costwith the host government.
Assist in preparation of project proposals in the area of economic development and community
resilience in vulnerable local communities
communities.
Act as a focal point to facilitate the role of women’s groups in peacebuilding among the vulnerable
local communities.
Monitor ongoing projects substantively through discussing project work plans, progress andperformance; conduct evaluation missions and write TORs for consultants; propose direction andsolutions in steering committee meetings, visit project sites to monitor and assess implementation;
resolve problems in execution and implementation streamli
streamlining
ning relations between national project
directors, consultants and executing agencies. Seek complementarities and integration withongoing projects in other portfolios.
Analyze curreny programmatic portfolio in vulnerable local communities and its contribution topromote stability and cooperation to identify gaps and potential linkages

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:••••Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant
UNV and external
al 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
ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites,
newsletters, press releases, etc.;

Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly
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:••••

New programmatic opportunities identified for promoting economic development opportunities andbuilding community resilience in vulnerable local communities to promote stability and cooperation
and reduce tensions.
Improved coordination of programmatic activities on economic development and community
resilience across vulnerable local communities to promote stability and cooperation and reduce
tensions.
Vulnerability analyses and participatory approach are incorporated into existing and newcommunity-level
level initiatives.
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment,such as reporting on the number of voluntvolunteers
eers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities
developed.

13. Qualifications/Requirements:
Advanced university degree in social sciences or discipline relevant to community resilience orpeacebuilding
At least 2 years experience of analyzing, designing and implementing development projects related
to economic development and community resilience as a way to promote stability and promote
cooperation
amiliarity with the region is a plus.
Familiarity•••

Key Competencies of the assignment:
•••

•
•
•
•
•

Application
on of theoretical knowledge in the design, management and evaluation of complex, multimulti
disciplinary programmes involving national and local authorities,, civil society and internationalorganizations.
Provenroven analytical and writing skills.
Demonstrated abilities and contributions to policy and guideline formulation, resource mobilization,team building, team leadership and management, preferably in a capacity related to the UNsystem.
Experience in establishing interinter-organizational networkss and partnerships at the operational level.
Capable of working to deadlines and taking on a range of tasks;
Self-motivatedmotivated and able to recommend options for resolutions of issues;
Proficiency in spoken and written English is required, including the ability to draft and edit project
documents, funding proposals, correspondence and briefings;
Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows XP).

14. Living Conditions:Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and Central Asia's premier metropolis, betrays little of its 2,000-year
history as a crossroads of ancient trade routes. This modern city of 2.5 million people, the fourth largest in
the CIS after Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev, holds many attractions, from imposing squares,
monumental architecture andd fine museums, to the mudmud-brick
brick maze of the old Uzbek town, autumn colors
on dappled poplar lanes and the sweet spray of fountains on burning summer days.

Rebuilt after the 1966 earthquake, Tashkent comprises concrete apartment blocks decorated with Uzbek
Uzb
motifs and illuminated slogans, yawning parade grounds around solemn monuments, and a remarkably
comprehensive public transport system.
International UNV volunteers are responsible for finding their own accommodation according to the rentalmarket.
15. Conditions of Service

Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UN Agency:
Mr. Santeri Eriksson, UNV Programme Officer
Date: 23 January 2013
Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit:
Mr. Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative
Date: 23 January 2013
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified
professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.