Area Coordinator Assistant

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The UNV Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ROECA) provides oversight and strategic guidance to the UNV field presences in the region and is accountable for the placement of UN Volunteers mobilized for UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development, and humanitarian needs. The UNV ROECA represents and strategically positions UNV and brings UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society, and the private sector. UNV’s services and solutions in Europe and Central Asia are covered on the website: https://www.unv.org, and on social media. To increase awareness of these initiatives among key audiences and to enhance co-operation with the UN and external partners in the region is one of the main priorities of the UNV ROECA.

At country level, the UNV Field Unit (FU) and/or designated UNV personnel as UNV Field Presence are responsible for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in the areas of peace, development, and humanitarian assistance. UNV Field Units/designated UNV personnel represent and position UNV in the respective countries with a focus on the UN Country Team (UNCT), bringing UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners within a client service approach and collaborating with other stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector.

As UNDP represents UNV at country level, UNV personnel are usually hosted within a UNDP Office and are accountable to the Supervisor and UNV Executive Coordinator for compliance with UNV and UNDP policies, rules, and regulations.

Under the general guidance of the Regional Manager, with day-to-day reporting to the Regional Portfolio Analyst, the UN Volunteer serving as Area Coordination Assistant supports the identification, development, and cultivation of select partnerships with UN Agencies/Host Entities at country level. This includes managing the relationship with priority partners, facilitating the exchange of data and information that influence volunteer mobilization opportunities, ensuring partners’ satisfaction with volunteer services, and bridging the delivery of services from centralized functions of the volunteer management cycle. The critical purpose of this UNV assignment is the sustained mobilization of volunteers to the designated partners (clients) while upholding the duty of care for serving volunteers.

The role involves regular contact and liaison with counterpart UN personnel at all levels, including senior-level staff. Within UNV, all personnel are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1. Assist in mobilizing volunteers and developing and maintaining partnerships:
• Support the mobilization of UN Volunteers and follow up on partnership opportunities with UN entities in the assigned area.
• Share your own experience as a UN Volunteer to highlight UNV’s mandate, key offers, and the added value of volunteer assignments.
• Provide the Regional Portfolio Analyst with relevant data, feedback, and business intelligence to track progress and improve service delivery.
• Record mobilization opportunities in UNV’s Client Relationship Management (CRM) system and help document entry points to increase volunteer assignments.
• Collect and share information on UN programming frameworks (e.g., UNSDCF, ERPs, agency country programmes), as well as changes in the broader operating environment such as government priorities, donor commitments, or crisis response.
• Contribute to developing tailored initiatives and offers that respond to partners’ needs for volunteer services.
• Support the preparation of presentations, mapping, and key messages to highlight opportunities for volunteerism.
• Serve as focal point for online volunteering (OV) in coordination with the Regional Office, supporting host entities to create online volunteering opportunities and promoting the concept of online volunteering.
• Assist in identifying volunteer placement opportunities and in preparing descriptions of assignments with partner agencies.

2. Support talent acquisition and outreach
• Provide support in attracting qualified local talent in line with the country’s demand forecast and agreed talent acquisition priorities, under the guidance of the Operations Analyst, Talent Acquisition in the Regional Office.
• Assist in identifying the most effective channels for attracting local talent for potential UNV assignments.
• Support the Regional Portfolio Analyst and UN partners in advocacy and talent outreach campaigns, promotional presentations with Host Entities, and engagement with local volunteer organizations, including by sharing your personal experience as a UN Volunteer.
• Contribute to the organization of advocacy campaigns and key events that raise awareness and foster engagement.
• Support the Regional Portfolio Analyst in ensuring timely and effective selection processes for UN Volunteer assignments.

3. Support volunteer experience and duty of care
• As a fellow UN Volunteer, assist with onboarding to ensure volunteers receive timely information, resources, and a smooth start to their assignments.
• Provide support throughout the volunteer management cycle, responding to inquiries, sharing updates, and escalating concerns as needed to ensure a positive and inclusive experience.
• Help gather and compile volunteer feedback; contribute to and participate in appreciation initiatives and local events that foster engagement and belonging.
• Support relationships with host entities by sharing information on volunteer roles, assisting with coordination tasks, and helping ensure effective integration of volunteers.
• Contribute to duty of care by liaising with security focal points, supporting emergency headcounts, and assisting volunteers during medical evacuations in line with UNV procedures.
• Provide tailored support to volunteers facing language or integration challenges, ensuring they can access information and navigate their assignment environment.
• Share information, including personal experience, with host entities and volunteers on UNV’s enabling instruments for health and wellbeing, including insurance and related benefits.
• Backstop other functions in the Regional Office during peak periods or staff absences, helping ensure continuity of support and care for volunteers.