National UNV/ Project Officer

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 of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and 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 and support 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 in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, 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.

Organizational Context & Project Description:

The UN Human Rights Regional Office for Central America was established in Panama City (Panama), following the signature of an agreement between the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Panama, on 15 February 2007.

 In line with the mandate of the HC/OHCHR (General Assembly resolution 48/141), the UN Human Rights Regional Office engages with and supports States in the promotion and protection of all human rights. It provides support and technical assistance, advice and capacity building. At present, it engages with countries of Central America that do not have any other type of OHCHR field presence, i.e. Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama.

 The National UNV will be part of a small Team of national/international staff working in/on El Salvador, with a particular focus on building local capacities, networking and supporting efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, including human rights defenders and mainstreaming of human rights in the UN development assistance to support the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior National Human Rights Officer in El Salvador, and overall responsibility of the OHCHR Regional/Deputy Regional Representative for Central America and in coordination with an OHCHR Team of international staff working on El Salvador from the Regional Office for Central America in Panama, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide administrative support, financial planning and monitoring budget implementation of human rights related projects/activities, including all logislic arrangements for the holding of group meetings, recruitment of Consultants, travel arrangement of participants/Experts, preparation of e-files of documentation for meetings, according to the set procedures and regulations;
• Support in drafting human rights project proposals and budget related communications, as well as ensuring that the project supporting documents are in accordance with the set requirements and procedures;
• Assist in planning and monitoring of compliance with the OHCHR Result-Based Budget and OHCHR Work Plan and periodic reporting, including to donors;
• Assist in day to day management and reporting on the Office and technical cooperation /projects activities;
• Maintain complete records of all project and budget-related operations (database), including the inventory of equipment and Office electronic files;
• Follow up on vendor payment transactions in a timely manner in accordance with the regulations and applicable procedures;
• Analyse, review and report on budget spending from OHCHR funds, including but not limited to the budget allocated for projects and activities, whenever it is required;
• Any other assigned task related to finance and project management and reporting. 

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required 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 mark International Volunteer Day);
• 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 technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs

• Human rights project proposals of high quality will have been prepared;
• Budget and project-related documents are followed in a timely manner;
• Allocated budget is efficiently and timely spent in accordance with the set working plans an in compliance with UN financial rules, regulations and procedures;
• Efficient organization of group meetings;
• Efficient management of the Office inventory and e-archives;
• Vendors are paid in a timely manner in accordance with the regulations and applicable procedures;
• Periodic reports on budget implementation and overall performance are timely prepared;
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with counterparts;
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment;
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the as-signment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• 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 established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast 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 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, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-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 recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; 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 hardship and 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.

Education

Required Degree Level: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, International Relations or related fileds

Required Experience:

A minimum of two years of work experience in business administration, international relations or related field. Familiarity with the work of the UN human rights mechanisms is desirable.

2 years of relevant experience in project management preferably with UN or other international organizations; with knowledge of Finance and Budget preferred.

Language Skills:   

Fluency in oral and written Spanish is essential. Working knowledge of English.

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.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.