Mission and objectivesUNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA ethics In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. Thus, UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and commit to delivering excellence in programme results. UNFPA strategy in Lao PDR UNFPA is starting its 7th Country Programme in Lao PDR. In response to Lao's socio-economic context and, in line with its strategy on modes of engagement in lower-middle-income countries, UNFPA has prioritised upstream work, with a focus on stronger policy-advocacy and communication and networking to mobilise strategic partnerships. At the same time, innovative pilots and new initiatives are being supported to accelerate delivery on the three transformative results in this decade of action.
ContextThe UNFPA country office in Lao PDR was established in 1976. Since then, UNFPA has been implementing different programmes in Lao PDR and supporting the Government of Lao PDR and other partners in the areas of improving reproductive health and rights, empowerment of adolescents and young people and strengthening population and development strategies in the country. The UNFPA country office in Lao PDR has strong collaboration with various ministries of the Government of Lao PDR and mass organizations in Lao PDR. The Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sports and Mass Organizations Lao Youth Union and Lao Womenโs Union are UNFPAโs implementing partners. Lao Peopleโs Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is a landlocked, mountainous country with a highly dispersed and thinly spread population having over 50% of the population below the age of 25 years. UNFPAโs youth programmes in Lao PDR are guided by the Noi approach aiming at empowering all adolescent girls and boys in the country so that they are able to delay their first pregnancies, can fulfil their full potential and contribute to a sustainable future and achieving demographic dividend in Lao PDR. They become educated, empowered, live healthy lives and get decent employment when they complete their education. The Noi approach also envisions reducing early marriages, adolescent pregnancies and maternal mortality. The Noi approach realizes its objectives through creating and implementing an ecosystem which includes components of advocacy, policy advise, reproductive health, ending violence against women and girls, in-school programmes, out-of-school programmes with community engagement, strengthening evidence and data, expanding partnerships and engaging young people to take action.The volunteer will support the implementation of these adolescents and youth empowerment programmes as part of creating and strengthening the Noi ecosystem as per the below-mentioned expected tasks.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Programme Specialist ASRH/ Team Lead, Adolescents and Youth Programme Team, the UN Volunteer will provide support to the AY-Programme team with the following tasks: โ Monitoring, and facilitating the implementation of activities under the TUSIP UN Joint Programme on child marriage, including coordination with UNICEF Lao CO and providing administrative support to the programme team. โ Coordination with the implementing partners on reporting, planning field missions, scheduling meetings/ discussions etc. โ Support in organizing advocacy events, and workshops with various stakeholders and preparing meeting minutes and reports. โ Liaison with communications teams to ensure donor visibility, and event coverage in social media platforms and print media. โ Regular follow-ups with the operations team to route/secure approvals and expedite the procurement processes. โ Managing and actively engaging with the Youth Volunteers, facilitating their participation and engagement at events, workshops, policy dialogue etc. โ Managing UNFPAโs booth at AY-Programme events, policy dialogues, workshops, dissemination events etc. โ Supporting commemoration of the UN international days including International Youth Day, International Girl Child Day, World Aids Day, World Population Day, 16-Days of Activism. โ Participate in regular programmes/ all-staff meetings and contribute ideas and innovative approaches promoting young people's inclusion health and well-being. โ Regular coordination with the Gender/ GBV Programme Team to facilitate effective implementation of joint activities under TUSIP UNJP. โ Supporting financial management processes/ documentation for the AY-Programme including but not limited to posting requisitions in the system, facilitating international and domestic travel of team members by coordinating with the operations team. โ With support from the Programme Specialist, monitor the financial outlook of the TUSIP project. โ Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor and the UNFPA Representative.
Competencies and valuesโ Accountability โ Adaptability and Flexibility โ Building Trust โ Client Orientation โ Commitment and Motivation โ Commitment to Continuous Learning โ Communication โ Creativity โ Ethics and Values โ Integrity โ Judgement and Decision-making โ Managing Performance โ Planning and Organizing โ Professionalism โ Respect for Diversity โ Self-Management โ Technological Awareness โ Working in Teams
Living conditions and remarksThis position will be based in the Vientiane capital. Living conditions in Vientiane Capital are comfortable but residents are expected to live in a tropical climate. Vientiane is a safe place to live in, however, single females should exert vigilance if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups. The biggest hazards relate to traffic accidents, hence utmost care should be exerted when in traffic, especially when riding a motorbike. The Vientiane entertainment scene is still quiet and to avoid feeling lonely the person should be proactive in forming friendships, and hence should be ready to make the best of e.g. the UNV Buddy Programme. Houses or apartments are usually of good standards. All basic commodities can be bought in Vientiane and its immediate vicinity. The UNV Office in Laos will assist the UNV in finding adequate accommodation. COVID-19 precautions and protocols will need to be followed.