UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism
to support 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 topeace and 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 sharingandd support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms ofvolunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with coco-workers,
workers, host agencies andlocal communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote vo
volunteerism
lunteerism through their action and conduct. Engagingin volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and socialrealities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This
will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Assignment Title:

Community Development Officer for Addressing Malnutrition

2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer

3. UNV Programme Strategy:‘Provision of basic services’

4. Project Title:

Tracking under-nutrition through Multi-Sector
Sector approach andcommunity development

5. Duration:

12 months

6. Location, Country:

Colombo, Sri Lanka

7. Expected Starting Date:

February 2013

8. Brief Project Description:The
he basic purpose is to contribute to multi
multi-sector approach, community development, monitoring,evaluation and documentation aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)(Mwithequity, particularly nutrition – with slow progress in the country.
9. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNICEF
10. Organizational Context:
UNICEF works closely with different ministries of government ofSri Lanka, other UN agencies, National and International NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations,and Communities. UNICEF assists ministries in Education, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Child
Protection,tection, Survival and Development, Communication and Monitoring and Evaluation both indevelopment and humanitarian context.
The overall purpose of this assignment is to contribute to planning, implementation, monitoring andevaluation of the Community Development for tackling malnutrition through Multi
Multi-sector
sector approach.
The goal is to achieve the targets set in the Government of Sri Lanka/UNICEF programme ofcooperation with particular reference to MDGs. The incumbent will also work with relevant
government departments in the Ministry of Health to institutionalize the community development incontext of malnutrition. UNICEF has vvery
ery good working relations with various ministries working
closely together in contributing towards the achievement of the MDGs. The incumbent will be partof the Survival and Development (S&D) to frequently meet with different government partners

while having
ving planning and progress review meetings. In addition during the field monitoring, theincumbent will also interact with provincial, district and sub district level managers andcommunities.
The UN Volunteer will work under direct Supervision and guida
guidance
nce of the Chief of Survival andDevelopment Section. The Multi-year
year work plan will set the basis of roles and responsibilities andperformance assessment. Weekly section meetings are held for close follow up and supervision of
all activities of the section,n, also to encourage interinter-section
section collaboration. The weekly programmemeeting is expected to forge linkages between various programme sections. Monthly priorities andtasks are identified for all section members. In absence of the supervisor on missions oro during
leave, the second reporting officer will take charge of the supervisory role. Since different
interventions in the S&D programme are cross
cross-cutting,cutting, the UN Volunteer will also interact with theChiefs and responsible officer of Education, ProtectioProtection,n, Water & Sanitation, Planning, Monitoringand Evaluation (PME) and Communication sections for their technical inputs to the S&D
programme. In addition s/he may have the opportunity to interact with multiple sectors such as
Health, Agriculture, Livestock, Communication and Nutrition.
The specific nature of tasks to be accomplished will be explained and discussed prior tocommencement of duty. Further guidance and support will be provided through regular technicalmeetings and sharing of information relat
relateded to major duties and responsibilities. This will bereinforced and complemented through undertaking joint field visits and a continuous learning
process.
specific to the HPC Programme)
Programme
11. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment without family (specific
12. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Survival and Development
Development, the UN Volunteer will
undertake the following tasks:• Assistssist the Chief of Survival and Development programme in updating the database andinformation management system for improved programming, implementation, monitoring,review, evaluation and reporting• Contribute to planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Community
Development for tackling malnutrition through multi
multi-sector
sector approach and documentation
documenoflessons learned• Contribute to the development of monitoring and evaluation framework of the Multi-sector
Multi
Nutrition Programme and community development
development,, including where appropriate volunteerism• Contribute to measure outcomes related to achieving the objectives of the multi-sector
multinutrition
programme with focus
cus on two selected districts Nuwara Eliya and Monargala identified todemonstrate Multi-sectorial Nutrition model for reduction of child under nutrition• Participate in S&D/Nutrition Programme reviews (mid-years,years, annual reviews, mid-term
midreviews)
and meeting with partners. Support the review processes through analysis and evaluation ofdata to ensure achievements of objectives, preparing programme plans and proposals andreports for the office andnd donors• Undertake field visits to programme areas and interview service providers & beneficiaries of themulti sector nutrition programme and document findings, best practices and lessons learned.
• Plan Professional learning on the subject or any filed of interest relevant to Survival andDevelopment and also focus on capacity building of others on volunteerism.
• Interact with policy makers and communities on tackling malnutrition. Looking in to achieving
MDGs with equity.

Promotion of the United Nations Volunteers Programme mandate

1

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 theirworking week to the following in support of and in synergy with his/her primary role as UNV
Community Development Officer:•

Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the influence and impact of voluntary action bycommunities in Sri Lanka through the following:
oooo•

•••

•

research of the subject matter,develop knowledge of non
non-profit
profit community based organizations developing new
or applying
ing 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 theircommunity.

Build relationships with a wide range (private/public) local organizations, groups or individuals
and support and/or participate in community driven voluntary activities and assist them to telltheir stories to the World Volunteer Web site;
Encourage, mobilize andnd support coco-workers
workers and fellow UN volunteers to better understandthe connections between community participation and voluntarism;
Monitor on a continual basis the impact of policy reform on voluntary action at the communitylevel;
Contribute to articles/write-ups
ups on the findings from the monitoring process and experiencesfrom the 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 volunteervolunteering),ing), and encourage
relevant local individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically possible.Furthermore,possible.
UN Volunteers are required to:

13. Results/Expected Output:•••

Monitoring and documentation skills are strengthened
Capacities on nutrition programming and multi
multi-sector approach are enhanced
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during theassignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated inand capacities developed.

14.. Qualifications/Requirements:Education• University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health &Nutrition, Health Sciences, International Health & Nutrition, Public Health & Nutrition Policy andManagement, Family and Community Health & Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Health &Nutrition Education, Health & Nutrition Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public HealthPreparedness, Health Emergency Preparedness, or other relevant discipline(s).
1The 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.

•Training in gender and in nutrition programmes that promote gender equality and asset

Work Experience••••

Two years of relevant professional work experience.
Developing country work experience
Background/familiarity with Emergency.
Experience in monitoring gender inequalities and in programming interventions that reduce thesethedisparities an asset.

Language Proficiency
Fluency in English and a second UN language

Competencies and values:• Integrity and professionalism
professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability toapply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to takeownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently underestablished procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion,
impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately andconfidentially; responsive and clientclient-oriented;• Commitment to continuous learninglearning:: initiative and willingness to learn new skills
skand
stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in workenvironment;• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving
solving skills and ability
to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish
priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, withconflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;• Teamwork and respect for diversity
diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizationalboundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working
relations in a multi-cultural,cultural, multi
multi-ethnic
ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
and gender;• 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 recom
recommendations;mendations; ability
to communicate 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 rang
range
e of different target groups;• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere,remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physicalhardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area ofoperations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may benecessary;• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement,engagement which
includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance;reliance; and commitment towards the UN
core values.

15. Living Conditions:
Sri Lanka is an island situated in the Indian Ocean to the southeast of India. By reason of its
geographical location, it has a variety of climates. There are no
no-wellwell defined seasons. The
monsoons dominate the climate. In the capital city of Colombo, the average annual temperature is26 degrees C. The relative humidity aveaverages
rages 76 percent during the day and 89 percent during thenight.
The Country became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955. In 1978, a new
constitution changed the form of Government from Parliamentary to Presidential. The present
Executive President
esident is Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse. The armed conflict between the Government andTamil separatists fighting for a separate Tamil State that lasted for over 20 years ended in May
2009.
According to UNDSS, the security level 3 (moderate) is applicable in the districts of Jaffna,
Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya in the Northern Province and Batticaloa in the EasternProvince. The rest of the country including Colombo, the capital, is under security level 1(Minimal). Colombo has good international flflightight connections and living costs are reasonable.
Housing is readily available. There are a number of international schools and the standard ofeducation is good. Medical and dental services for international personnel are available.
This assignment is based
sed in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Colombo, the country’s largest city is very
colourful, vibrant and is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. An interesting mix of modern life andcolonial ruins, Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to theadministrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Colombo has most of the amenities found in a modern city, including numerous shopping malls
and relatively high quality of life indicators. The cost of living expenses are reasonable andexcellent healthalth services are available.
available.Well
Well qualified general practitioners, surgeons and specialspecial
ists are available in Colombo. It is not normally necessary to travel abroad for medical consultationexcept for complicated illnesses.
Colombo's climate is fairly temperate
perate all throughout the year but humidity is usually high. From
March to April the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The
only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May toAugust andnd October to January when heavy rainfalls occur.
16. Conditions of Service
A 12-month
month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic
needs and utilities, equivalent to US$ 1885 for single person, US$ 2135 for person with one
dependant, and US$ 2335 for person with two or more recognized dependants; settling-in-grantsettling(ifapplicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable);
resettlement allowance for satisfactory seservice.
Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UN Agency:
Dr. Mohammad Younus-Health
Health and Nutrition specialist and officer inin-charge
Date: January 2013
Description of Assignment approved by UNV Field Unit:
UNV Programme Officer, Sri Lanka
Date: January 2013