Mission and objectivesThe UN Volunteers China Field Unit, which is administered by the UN Development Programme, oversees all UNV programmes and operations in China to fulfill UNVโs strategic priorities in mobilizing UN Volunteers, integrating volunteerism into UN and national government development initiatives, and advocating for voluntary civic engagement.
ContextThe UNV Field Units (FU) are mainly accountable for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. The UNV Field Units represent and position UNV in the respective countries and bring UNVโs services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society and private sector. Reporting to the Programme and Partnership Specialist, Field Unit, the Programme Assistant provides administrative and operational assistance to the UNV Field Unit, in support of volunteer mobilization and deployment.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNV Regional Portfolio Manager and UNV Programme and Partnership Specialist or their designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Programme Assistant will assist in: a) Volunteer mobilization and deployment support: โข Support the Programme and Partnership Specialist and UN partners in advocacy and outreach campaigns, aimed at talent acquisition and/or volunteer mobilization. โข Provide administrative support to UN entities with onsite UN Volunteer and Online Volunteer mobilization. โข Support briefs, meeting notes and analysis of partnerships with UN Entities on volunteer mobilization. โข Provide with general support on recruitment and deployment of all UN Volunteer categories in line with the UNV rules and procedures. โข Support UN entities with information and regular updates on request, recruitment, and deployment of volunteers, addressing their specific requests. โข Support UN entities in the country and candidates to ensure proper submission of documents for volunteer recruitments and deployments. โข In coordination with with UNV Headquarters and, if applicable, UNV Regional Office, assist timely selection and recruitment process in line with UNV rules and procedures. โข Monitor and keep records of the contractual status of all serving UN Volunteers and flag to his/her supervisor follow-up actions on assignment extensions, renewals and replacements. โข Maintain up to date contact records of all serving UN Volunteers, including their recognized dependents. โข Liaise with UNV Headquarters and/or country of recruitment on the logistical and travel arrangements of arriving UN Volunteers and his/her recognized dependents. โข Provide the necessary support to UN Volunteers upon arrival as per the UNV rules and procedures. โข Undertake tasks for the local support of the UN Volunteers and recognized dependents in the country including in the cases of medical evacuation, security evacuations or the death of a UN Volunteer. โข Ensure all conditions are met before the payment of final entitlements to UN Volunteers at the end of their assignment โข Assist with UN Volunteersโ exit formalities upon separation. โข Ensure timely reporting by volunteers, i.e. on their satisfaction with assignments (Volunteer Reporting Application โ VRA). โข Assist with UN Volunteer induction, onboarding and townhalls. โข In coordination with the OV team, advocate for developing Online Volunteering opportunities through advocacy engagements and promoting the concept of OV with Host Entities. b) Administrative and logistical support โข Maintain inventories of all UNV-supplied, non-expendable equipment, and ensure records of all items purchased for UNV-executed projects are submitted to UNV headquarters. โข Maintain general office files and keep information and reference material in a manner that allows easy reference and retrieval. โข Perform relevant Quantum roles for Field Unit personnel (travels, events, meetings, etc.); โข Provide with administrative support to corporate advocacy campaigns at country level, such as the International Volunteer Day, UN Days, etc., aligned with UNV mandate and agreed with the regional office, โข Ensure regular reporting to the regional office on the duties performed and results achieved. โข Perform other respective duties in line with the scope of the assignment as may be required by the direct supervisor and agreed with the regional office. โข Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: โข 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); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; โข 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.
Competencies and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNV; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNV procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNV in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข 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. โข 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; โข 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; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNVโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksAs this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. The duty station of the national UN Volunteer is in Beijing. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos