Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism.
ContextThe UNV Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ROECA) provides oversight and strategic guidance to the UNV Field Units in the region and is accountable for the placement of UN Volunteers mobilized for United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. The UNV Regional Office represents and strategically positions UNV and brings UNVโs services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, United Nations entities, civil society, and the private sector. Reporting to the IVY 2026 Secretariatโs Team Lead in the External Relations and Communications Section (ERCS) at UNV Headquarters in Bonn, Germany, and matrixed to the Regional Portfolio Manager, the IVY 2026 Regional Coordinator will support the planning and implementation of IVY 2026 initiatives across the Europe and Central Asia region. This role will focus on outreach, partnership building, and advocacy efforts to promote volunteerism and maximize the impact of IVY 2026. The United Nations Volunteers is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and respected. In alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and throughout the assignment. The following accessibility are already in place: โข Main entrance: The main entrance (or an alternative entrance) of the building is wheelchair accessible (e.g. ramps, handrails, elevators, etc. are available) โข Office spaces: At least one office/work station, one conference room and one bathroom are wheelchair accessible (please confirm that doors, routes and corridors that lead to these spaces are wide enough for wheelchair use) โข Office equipment: Tables, printers and other office equipment are accessible by a person using a wheelchair. โข Security & emergency: The security and emergency protocol take into account persons with disabilities (e.g. evacuation chair is available, etc.) โข Facilities signposted: All accessible facilities are marked with symbols or signs โข Transportation adapted: Accessible transportation to commute to/from the office is available (e.g. public transportation, and/or official vehicle that is accessible for wheelchair users, etc.) โข Signs in braille: Signs are also in braille, or the text characters are raised (e.g. bathroom, offices, etc.) โข Alternative printers: Alternative printing can be provided (e.g. large-printing and/or braille printing) โข Assistive technology: Assistive technology can be provided upon request (e.g. braille note-taker, printers, screen-reader software, etc.) โข Hearing cues: The emergency warning system has hearing cues โข Captioning: Captioning services can be provided upon request (e.g. on-site or remote CART services, close-captioning for video) โข Visual cues: The emergency warning system has visual cues (Currently partial, but having an improvement plan and action currently) Reasonable accommodation refers to \"necessary and appropriate modifications and adjustments, not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure persons with disabilities can enjoy or exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others\" (Article 2, UN CRPD). These accommodations may vary depending on individual needs and circumstances.
Task DescriptionOutreach, advocacy and partnership building: โข Lead a stakeholder mapping exercise for IVY 2026, in collaboration with the Regional Portfolio Manager and the Regional Office. โข Conduct regional outreach efforts to promote IVY 2026 with relevant stakeholders in the Europe and Central Asia region, fostering engagement with governments, United Nations partner entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), volunteer-involving organizations (VIOs), private sector and academia. โข Strengthen regional partnerships and knowledge-sharing on IVY 2026 through networking events, webinars, and thematic discussions for an external audience. โข Represent UNV in relevant regional forums, events, and consultations with external stakeholders to advocate for the implementation of IVY 2026. โข Adapt communication materials developed by the IVY Secretariat to ensure their relevance and impact within the region and identify opportunities for special communications initiatives that help to increase the visibility of IVY 2026, in collaboration with the regional communications team. โข Provide guidance and practical support to UNV Field Units in promoting IVY 2026 at the national level. Coordination and implementation: โข Contribute to the designation of national IVY 2026 Focal Points by Governments in the region and support broad stakeholder engagement in and the effective functioning of the national committees they coordinate at the country-level. โข Facilitate networking and experience exchange on IVY 2026 among external stakeholders, including governments, United Nations entities, CSOs, VIOs, private sector and academia across the region. โข Support UNV ROECA and UNV Field Units in integrating and promoting IVY 2026 within their ongoing initiatives and network. โข Engage in peer exchange with other Regional Coordinators to align strategies, share insights, and strengthen cross-regional collaboration on IVY 2026 implementation. Monitoring, reporting and knowledge management: โข Track and evaluate the progress and impact of IVY 2026 initiatives implemented by relevant external stakeholders across the region. โข Collect and analyze data on volunteer engagement and partnership building as a result of IVY 2026. โข Prepare reports, briefing notes, and factsheets on IVY 2026 based on regional and country experiences and lessons learned. โข Support knowledge management efforts by documenting and disseminating success stories and best practices and facilitating input by relevant external stakeholders to UNVโs Knowledge Portal on the International Volunteer Year (https://knowledge.unv.org/international-volunteer-year). Expected Outcomes: โข National IVY 2026 Focal Points and Committees established by Governments in the Europe and Central Asia Region and actively leading volunteerism initiatives. โข Successful execution of regional advocacy campaigns, driving increased awareness and engagement in IVY 2026 by external and internal stakeholders. โข Strengthened regional partnerships as a result of strong collaboration for IVY 2026. โข Comprehensive documentation of best practices, success stories, and lessons learned in relation to IVY 2026 to inform future initiatives. โข Enhanced capacity of national and regional stakeholders to sustain volunteerism promotion efforts beyond IVY 2026.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Creativity and innovation โข Strategic thinking and decision-making โข Planning and organizing โข Professionalism and integrity
Living conditions and remarksAccessibility measures in place: YES UNV offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment. The United Nations system wishes to create an inclusive workplace and commits to taking appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to access and benefit equally from employment and other engagement opportunities such as volunteering, by providing reasonable accommodation. In this context, โreasonable accommodationโ means necessary and appropriate modifications and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms [Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 2]. The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul and will be responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials. The full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteerโs service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). The Summary of UNV Entitlement (International Expert): โข Current Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is USD 3,757 monthly (including expertise differential) โข Accommodation supplement: At the rate of 20% of VLA in each month when residing in Istanbul Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations of the monthly post adjustment. โข Private insurance: Health, dental, life and dismemberment (100%) coverage by CIGNA (including for the eligible dependents when residing together in Istanbul) โข Entry allowance (one-time payment): USD 4,000 โข Exit allowance: USD 225 per month and solely paid upon the satisfactory completion of assignment โข Family allowance based on eligibility and status (per month): USD 250 for 1 dependent, USD 450 for 2 or more dependents (Please read the conditions of service for eligibility criteria) โข Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month โข Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network Notes: 1) It is important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment. 2) The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work.