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NUN Community Volunteer - Coordinator (Youth Advocates) - Haridwar

Dehradun

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Dehradun
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Youth
    • Social Affairs
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Managerial positions
    • Volunteerism
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

THIS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER POSITION IS TO BE BASED IN HARIDWAR

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 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) and UNV/UNDP have been implementing the project “Strengthening Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and National Service Scheme (NSS) -two the Youth Volunteer Schemes of MoYAS. The project seeks to provide catalytic support to NYKS and NSS to facilitate youth participation in peace and sustainable development programmes leading to realization of their full social, economic and human potential. The project also seeks to help young people to gain a strong sense of civic engagement to bring about positive transformation in their communities.

A pilot initiative on volunteering journey of select NYKS and NSS volunteers has been launched in five (5) Aspirational Districts. The key objectives of the proposed pilot initiatives are the following:

  • To engage NYKS and NSS volunteers to find local solutions through a collaborative process;
  • To enhance the value of volunteerism and community service;
  • To build capacity of volunteers by enhancing their skills to make them more employable.

Under this initiative selected NYKS and NSS volunteers will undertake Action Projects of one- year duration as Youth Advocates. The Action Projects will involve campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness around identified challenges as well as working with government departments, private sector and Civil Society Organizations to find solutions to issues as part of the volunteering assignment. The initiative also seeks to transfer of soft skills like Critical thinking & Problem Solving, Collaboration, Communication, Leadership, Creativity, Inter-personal skills, Self- Management, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, etc.  to enhance their employability.

It is proposed to place one UN Community Volunteer in 5 of the districts as Coordinator-Youth Advocates who will be responsible for coordinating smooth implementation of the pilot initiative.  

Coordinator-Youth Advocates will help the 30 NYKS and NSS volunteers who will serve as Youth Advocates in identifying one or multiple challenges being faced by the people of the district and involve him/her- self in the problem-solving exercise through volunteering.

Living Conditions

Haridwar is an ancient city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára. As of 2001 India census, Haridwar district now has population of 1,890,422 (2011) and before had 1,447,187 (2001). Haridwar city has 310,562 population (2011). Males constitute 54% of the population and females, 46%. Haridwar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 64%. In Haridwar, 12% of the population is under six years of age. The winters are very cold and the summer season is mild and moderate followed by a good rainfall in monsoon. Summer Season in Haridwar is from March to June. The maximum temperature that you can expect during the summer is around Summer 20 °C to 40 °C.

Conditions of Service

A 12-month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.

A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of Rs. 20,726.75 (Rupees Twenty-Thousand Seven-Hundred Twenty-Six and Paise Seventy-Five only) will be provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Further, one-time payment of Rs. 6,800 (Rupees Six Thousand Eight Hundred only) will be paid for buying health insurance which must have a minimum coverage of INR 500,000 (annual).  In addition to the above, life insurance and medical evacuation of the candidate will be covered by UNV.

Interested candidates should submit their applications at http://www.in.undp.org/content/india/en/home/operations/careers/

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the District Youth Coordinator (DYC) and overall guidance from the UNV Country Coordinator and National Programme Manager, the UN Community Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

  • Coordinate with all stakeholders for the implementation of the activities by the Youth Advocates under the supervision of District Youth Coordinator;
  • Coordinate training and capacity building of the selected 30 Youth Advocates in the district;
  • Support Youth Advocates in carrying out desk research and preparing social action projects relevant to the districts;
  • Coordinate with all stakeholders to support Youth Advocates in carrying out activities under social action projects
  •  Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders to find local level solutions;
  • Motivate youth for volunteering and community service
  •  Assist the District Youth Coordinator  in creating a  cadre of youth advocates for various social causes;
  • Promote  volunteering amongst youth in the district;
  • Liaise with village, Block and District level officials for obtaining requisite support in implementation of various activities under the pilot initiative;
  • Maintain records of all activities conducted by selected Youth Advocates;
  • Monitor progress made by Youth Advocates in implementing activities under social action projects;
  • Prepare and submit reports of the activities conducted by Youth Advocates on monthly, quarterly and annual basis;
  • Prepare and publish quarterly newsletter for the pilot project;
  • Support in developing IEC materials, documents required for the pilot project
  • Any other task related to smooth functioning of the pilot project

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

  • NYKS and NSS volunteering is strengthened where volunteers work collaboratively in the selected districts with the youth becoming leaders for change.
  • Local solutions for local problems would be developed,
  • Enhanced community engagement in the pilot districts;
  • Stronger synergy between NSS and NYKS will be created.

Competencies

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in any stream 

Diploma/Certificate in Microsoft Office (MS Office, MS Excel) is essential.

At least 1-year experience in imparting vocational training/life-skill training/career counselling. Experience in imparting computer training would be an added advantage.

Proficiency in Computer operations

Disclaimer

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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