Senior Field Assistant

Organizational Context/Project:

The Field Office (FO) Luhansk was opened in 2015 in response to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. The FO has eight staff members who directly impelement UNHCR’s emergency response related activities. The FO Luhansk shares common premises with other UN agencies - UNDP, WHO, UNICEF and OCHA. Being located on non-government controlled area, UNHCR’s main activities include shelter interventions (repairs of damaged residential buildings), provision of non-food items and other assistance to persons with specific needs.

The Senior Field Assistant is normally supervised by the Head of Field Office and performs a variety of functions related to field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance. The incumbent shall keep frequent internal contacts with staff members in the office to exchange information and with persons of concern, local population and/or operational partners on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

Living Conditions: Luhansk, NGCA

Local currency in Luhansk is the Russian Ruble (RUB). USD 1 = RUB 62.43 (as of 01 May 2018).

ATM machines are not available and payment by bank card is not possible. Due to the fact that non-government controlled areas (NGCAs) are not connected to Ukrainian banking system, cash remains the main means of payment. However, you can exchange money at the nearest ”First commercial center”.

There is no particular dress code to be observed in the “LPR”. However, it is not recommended to dress in military (or similar) uniforms.

The only accommodation approved by UNDSS for UN missions is DOMINO hotel.

Please note that all public transport operated normally until 6:00 p.m.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

An initial six month contract with possibility of extention until the end of 2018; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of 670 USD is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses.

In addition, UN Volunteers are provided with life, health and permanent disability insurance (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), Well-Being Differential (applicable in hardship non-family duty stations), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office Luhansk, the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Timely prepare relevant donation documentation for Field Office`s activities as per UNHCR SOP;
• Act responsible for filling and proper storage of hard copies of donation documentation.
• Maintain updated database of Field Offices activities (shelter/NFI, villages, beneficiaries, etc.);
• Conduct damage assessment, prepare and verify BoQs for construction materials; 
• Assist in implementation and monitoring of  UNHCR programmes, including delivery and provision of assistance to persons of concern,;
• Assist in data collection, planning, implementation and reporting on the activities implemented in the AoR;
• Act as secretary during Multi-Functional team meetings, takes minutes.
• Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of PoCs;
• Ensure that the needs of persons of concern in the AoR are assessed and analysed in a participating manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning;
• Participate in needs assessment as a member of the Multi-Functional team;
• Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly;
• Meet and accompnay authorized personnel and assist them during field missions, including acting as interpreter in the exchange of information;
• Undertake other relevant duties as required by the supervisor and/or Shelter Associate.

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 IVD);
• 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 Output:

• The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analysed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.
• Inputs are provided for planning (including estimated budgets) and reports.
• Enforced compliance with UNHCR’s global strategies, protocols and guidelines.
• 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 assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Degree level:    Bachelor's degree

Type of Degree: University degree in Construction, Civil Engineering, Social Sciences, or related field.

Years of work experience:   Minimum 2 years of work experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required.

Language: Fluency in English, Russian and Ukrainian.

Applicant must be a citizen of Ukraine or legally resident in Ukraine including work permit.

Applicant must be 22 y.o. or older.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills:

• Ability to conduct damage assessment of buildings (private houses, multy-storey buildings, etc);
• Geographical knowledge and security awareness of the area of assignment;
• Ability to organize transportation, loading/unloading of various items from UNHCR warehouse to the destination point(s);
• Analitycal way of thinking with ability to write narrative reporting.
• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;
• Field experience is desirable;
• In addition to the qualifications and requirements stated above, the incumbent is expected to be flexible and ready to adapt to eventual new tasks as the situation evolves, great autonomy, dynamism and creativity; good sense of responsibility and initiative;
• Knowledge of relevant UNHCR policies and guidelines is desirable; including knowledge of the mandate, the objectives and the operations and functioning of UNHCR.

Driving license required:  No

Computer skills:  Office Package (excellent knowledge of Excel, good knowledge of Word and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

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 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.

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.