Mission and objectivesUNESCO LKA organization mission TBD
ContextUNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the project titled โSocial Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention in Sri Lankaโ, jointly implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The project aims to enhance the voice, access, and equitable and inclusive participation of Sri Lankaโs social partners and local communities, through inclusive social dialogue at national and local levels in shaping and implementing economic and social recovery efforts, thereby strengthening peace and cohesion. The project focuses on both national and sub-national level engagements, specifically in the Districts of Gampaha, Badulla, Batticaloa, and Jaffna. The project aims to build institutional capacities for structured, gender-responsive, inclusive, and constructive dialogue and dispute resolution. It will achieve this by enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of existing dialogue mechanisms for the private sector, and, by establishing and making more inclusive dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms for the public sector. Policy and decision-making dialogue and recovery initiatives at the national level will be informed by evidence, generated on the economic and social priorities of the most marginalized communities, including those in the informal economy, women, and young people with intersectional vulnerabilities. The existing networks at the community level, will also be capacitated to contribute to and participate in decision-making and dialogue mechanisms at local and national levels. The initiative thus aims to empower local communities to participate in policymaking, ensuring that women, young people, and informal economy workers influence district and national policies.
Task DescriptionUnder the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office, functional authority of the Chief of Social and Human Sciences (SHS) Sector, and direct supervision of the National Project Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Project Assistance (30%) ยท Project Planning o Assist the National Project Officer in implementing project activities and regularly following up the developments. o Establish and maintain regular contacts and advance partnerships with key project partners, local communities, relations with local agencies or organizations present in the area of responsibility, ensure the liaison between implementing partners, and other key stakeholders. o Assist in organizing meetings (preparing minutes of the meetings, sending out invitations and take care of logistical issues o Assist consultants and partners in successful implementation of the foreseen activities when necessary. ยท Monitoring and Reporting o Support in developing and maintaining monitoring frameworks to track the progress of project activities. o Support the preparation of project reports and other project related materials โ including 6 evidence-based knowledge products (policy briefs, fact sheets, infographics) for presentation to the Tripartite Labour Market Task Force and other decision-making forums. o Conduct site visits to monitor and evaluate the progress and quality of the project activities when necessary. Administrative Assistance (50%) ยท Human Resources: Follow up on coming human resource actions and oversee maintenance, update and clean-up of database. ยท Finance and Procurement Accountabilities: o Assist the SHS sector on financial management of the PBF project funds using UNESCO tools on information management and reporting. o Assist the sector on basic financial procedures, payment requirements, banking and currency provisions with support from the administrative services. o Keep track of budget levels and alert the supervisor and concerned managers to avoid potential shortfalls in funds (validating information and identifying any errors or irregularities). ยท Vendor and Contract Management: o Assist the SHS Sector in identifying cost-effective vendors/suppliers/service providers for various operational requirements of the sector. o Assist completing the process of vendor registration and manage accurate and updated vendor information as per UNESCOโs standard procedures whenever needed. o Support the SHS Sector to prepare the Terms of Reference (TORs) of vendors/suppliers/consultants/service providers and draft contracts in compliance with UNESCOโs procedures, rules, and regulations. o Verify and prepare payment request ensuring relevant supporting documents. o Assist in each stage of contract management, through the preparation of contracts, follow up with vendors and consultants on deliverables and deadlines, and submitting and keeping track of payments administrative rules and regulations. o Maintain information systems and databases in both physical and electronic media by recording, updating and retrieving information, documentation and data. Logistics Accountabilities (10%) ยท Shipment: make arrangements, assist and advise on shipping; liaise with customs. Procurement: assist in initiating procurement action, in the preparation of purchase orders and contracts, monitor status of requisitions and maintain contact with suppliers. ยท Travel: assist and provide guidance in preparation of travel plans, review travel claims, prepare travel orders; issue travel advances. Assist in all security related matters. May liaise and cooperate with UNDSS on matters related to safety and security. Communications (10%): In coordination with the New Delhi Regional Officeโs Communications and Public Engagement Unit, support the National Project Officer in the development and promotion of key findings from local-level dialogues and assessments through advocacy campaigns targeting mainstream media, social media, and expert forums. Create and disseminate aligned communications materialsโsuch as articles, blog posts, human impact stories, and newslettersโto raise public awareness, inform government economic policy reforms, and highlight progress and insights, ensuring compliance with RCO, UNFPA, and ILO guidelines. Perform any other duties, related to the assignment, including administrative support, if and when required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: ยท 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); ยท Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; ยท Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; ยท Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; ยท Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; ยท 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 valuesยท 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. ยท Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. ยท 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. ยท 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. ยท 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; ยท 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 back- grounds; 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; ยท 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. ยท Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Living conditions and remarksThe UNV will be based in Colombo which is situated on the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfalls occur. Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955.