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NUNV District Youth Coordinator - South Kolkata

Calcutta

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Calcutta
  • Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Youth
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

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 United Nations General Assembly defines volunteerism as an activity undertaken out of free will, for the general public good, and where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor. It is expressed through a wide range of activities, including traditional forms of mutual aid and self-help, formal service delivery, campaigning and advocacy, as well as other forms of civic participation. Volunteering represents an important form and manifestation of youth participation across the globe. It is increasingly recognized that young people’s approaches to participation are changing and becoming more diverse, especially as a result of globalization processes. According to the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2011, “healthy societies need young people who are involved with their communities. Volunteer action can be a highly effective route towards such involvement.”[1]

A growing body of research and studies, including the UNV’s own lessons learned, points to the benefits volunteerism accrues to a youth’s own development and to societies at large.

  • Firstly, volunteerism can support young people to become active leaders and citizens and serves as an important tool for engagement in society.
  • Secondly, youth volunteerism strengthens the bond between young people and their communities.
  • And finally, volunteerism helps young people improve their employment prospects through practical experiences which enhance both hard and soft job-related skills.

In India, the origin and development of volunteerism has been shaped by its indigenous traditions and value systems rooted in the religion and cultural interactions with incoming cultures throughout its history.  The National Youth Policy (NYP) -2014 aims to “empower youth of the country to achieve their full potential and through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations.” The NYP-2014 proposes to initiate affirmative and positive action to ensure that national values are regularly fostered in all young people, especially among members of the large youth volunteer force working under the aegis of leading youth development agencies of the country. As such the policy proposes to engage with Youth clubs and the large volunteer force available within youth development agencies to play a pivotal role in developing appropriate initiatives for young people.

Taking cognisance of the the National Youth Policy (2014), the UNV Global Youth Volunteer Programme and UN Youth Volunteering Strategy, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) and UNV/UNDP have been implementing  the project “Strengthening NYKS and NSS”. The project seeks to provide catalytic support to the Youth Volunteer Schemes of MoYAS to facilitate youth participation and voice in peace and sustainable development programmes, towards 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.

To  support implementation of the project “Strengthening NYKS and NSS” and achieve the above objectives, UNV- District Youth Coordinators (UNV DYCs) are being placed in 29 pilot districts; one district in each of 29 states of India.

Living Conditions

Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian census, it is the seventh most populous city; the city had a population of 4.5 million, while the suburb population brought the total to 14.1 million, making it the third-most populous metropolitan area in India. Kolkata is subject to a tropical wet-and-dry climate that is designated Aw under the Köppen climate classification. According to a United Nations Development Programme report, its wind and cyclone zone is "very high damage risk".

Conditions of Service

A 12 month contract, 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 Rs. 42,473.67 (Rupees Forty Two Thousand Four Hundered Seventy Three and Paise Sixty Seven only) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

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


[1] State of World Volunteerism report 2011

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of National Project Director, National Project Manager and Country Coordinator, UNV, the UNV District Youth Coordinators will undertake the following tasks:

  • Maintain close liaison with District Administration, government departments & NGOs;
  • Promote self-reliant Youth Clubs;
  • Identify training needs of Youth club functionaries and organize training programmes;
  • Assess needs and problems of various sections of youth in the district;
  • Prepare Annual Action plan of programmes and activities;
  • Ensure proper implementation of programmes and activities as per the Annual Action Plan;
  • Assist Youth Clubs/NGOs in the formulation of project proposals under Schemes of Financial Assistance of Central Government Departments/Agencies;
  • Prepare village, block and district profiles;
  • Prepare and submit periodical progress reports on Annual Action plan of programmes and activities;
  • Prepare and circulate documents/IEC materials for publicity/awareness of youth;
  • Ensure proper maintainenace of records and reports;
  • Conduct periodic meetings of District Advisory Committee (DAC) for youth programmes, National Youth Corps (NYC) Volunteers and Youth Clubs;
  • Ensure proper maintainenance of NYK office including personnel administration;
  • Coordinate with publicity media for image building of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan;
  • Any other task as assigned for NYK office in the district.

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

  • Training needs identified and relevant training institutions identified/hired.
  • Annual action plans of programme and activities prepared and activities undertaken.
  • Project proposals developed by NGOs/Youth Clubs for financial assistance of Central Government/ Departments/Agencies
  • Information Education and Communication material developed and disseminated.
  • Youth Volunteering activities implemented in the district
  • 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.

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

At least a University level degree (Bachelor Degree) in Political/ Development Studies or related fields.

A Masters level Degree in Political/Development Studies or related field will be considered as an added advantage.

Minimum 3 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in administration and monitoring. Preferably in administration, management and monitoring of youth, volunteerism, economic and social development issues

Good analytical skills (including writing skills), good inter-personal skills and the ability to work under pressure, both independently and as part of a team.

Sound coordination skills will be an added advantage.

Fluency in English and Bengali.

Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, (MS Word, Excel, and Power Point, etc.).

Willingness to travel

Good Communication Skills

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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