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:

Coordination Officer

UNV PRSF, Outcome 1 ‘Contribution of volunteerism to peace and development in UNV programme
countries is documented and recognized’
2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer

3. Project Title:

Strengthening Decentralised Planning for Inclusive Development

4. Duration:

1 year

5. Location, Country:

Delhi, India

6. Expected Starting Date:

March/April 2013

7. Brief Project Description: UNDP works in five practice areas: Democratic Governance, PovertyReduction, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Energy and Environment, and HIV and Development.
Recognizing that inequality poses a fundamental challenge to human development, gender and women’s
empowerment is a cross cutting theme across all UNDP projects. In India, UNDP programme support in
the area of Democratic Governance is to help ensure that government programmes deliver services to themost marginalized groups more effectively and efficiently.
8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP India
9. Organizational Context: UNDP India supports the Government of India to ensure that accountable
and responsive local government systems, locally elected representatives, officials and communities are inplace in selected districts in UNDAF states. The aim is to promote equitable and sustainable achievementof the MDGs and local development goals. UNDP also support efforts to make human development anintegral component of government plans and policies. UNDP also aims to strengthen access to justice forthe poor, members of scheduled caste, tribal communities and minorities through strategies and actions
that address key barriers in the social, economic and political domain. UNDP is embarking on the newcountry programme (2013-17) where policy advisory services, partnership development, south – southcooperation and capacity development have been identified as the key strategies to achieve theprogrammatic goals.
10. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment without family (specific to HPC Programme)

11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of Head, Democratic Governance Unit the UN Volunteer will undertake thefollowing tasks:
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Support the head of Governance Unit in management of UNDP programme in the area of governanceAnalysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas ofcooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects (in consultation with partners),
active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
Work in close cooperation with the Programme team to manage of south-south cooperation related
activities including organization of learning visits and hosting of international delegations under southsouth cooperation for exchange of experiences
Supporting the Unit Head in managing UNDP role for the UNDAF task team on Administrative
Efficiency
Support in formulation of Communication products for Governance Unit
Design and coordinate relevant stakeholder consultations, workshops and conferences.
Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, International Funding Institutes (IFI’s),
government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specificthematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
Analyze political, social and economic trends and provides support in the formulation, managementand evaluation of programme activities on governance.
Supports programme support staff, coordinates activities of the projects’ staff.
Work in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP
HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors
and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Promotion of the United 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 Coordination
Officer:•Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the influence and impact of voluntary action bycommunities in Sri Lanka through the following:
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research of the subject matter,develop knowledge of non-profit community based organizations developing new orapplying traditional methods in engaging with communities,
undertake awareness-raising (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 co-workers and fellow 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;

The 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.

••Contribute to articles/write-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 individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically possible.Furthermore, UN Volunteers
are required to:

12. Results/Expected Output:••••Briefs on areas of cooperation on governance with UNDP India and proposals for resource
mobilization with donors
Knowledge products on global and regional experiences on governance
South-south learning events and exposure visits on governanceA 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:•••

Advanced university degree in international relations or other relevant social science field.
At least 2-3 years of relevant work experience at the national or international level in political affairs,development, communications, with experience in a bilateral, multilateral or international organization;
Excellent written and spoken skills in English are a pre-requisite for this position;

Competencies and values:• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply
good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership;
willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under establishedprocedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality andneutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive andclient-oriented;• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stayabreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability tomanage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities andto plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting
deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizationalboundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working
relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity andgender;• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills,including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate
options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability tocommunicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers,counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer
information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere,remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardshipand little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness
to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes
solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

14. Living Conditions:
New Delhi is the capital city of India and is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Home to a
population of 14 million, the city is made up of Old Delhi and New Delhi. New Delhi is a cosmopolitan city
due to the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural presence of the vast Indian bureaucracy and political system. Theclimate of New Delhi is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate with high variation between
summer and winter, in terms of both temperatures and rainfall. The temperature varies from 40°C (104°F)
in summers to around 7°C (45°F) in winters.
15. Conditions of Service
A Twelve month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs
and utilities, equivalent to US$1796 (single rate); settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, andpermanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory
service.

Description of Assignment prepared by the Project Manager/UN Agency: Ms. Sumeeta Banerji,Assistant Country Director, Governance Unit, UNDP
rdDate: 23 January 2013

Description of Assignment approved by Portfolio Manager, Development Division, UNV HQ:
Ms. Maharoof-Marathovouniotis
rdDate: 23 January 2013