DOA khmr000013 20160406

UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT Preamble: 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.

1. Type of Assignment:

National UN Volunteer

2. Type of Assignment Place:

Family Duty Station

3. Assignment Title:

Advocacy and External Communication Officer

4. Link with UNV Strategic Framework: Securing access to Basic Social Services 5. Duty Station, Country:

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

6. Duration (in months):

12 months

7. Expected Starting Date:

Asap

8 Host Agency/Host Institute:

UNDP / Disability Rights Initiative Cambodia

9. Brief Project Description: The RGC’s commitment to improving the lives of people with disability through recognition of their rights was demonstrated through ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2012.

The RGC have also enacted a number of disability laws and strategic plans in recent years, however, these are not fully aligned with the CRPD and implementation is weak. The RGC is conscious of the need to demonstrate real gains against its reporting obligations under the Convention and is actively requesting international assistance.

The long term goal of DRIC Programme is the “improved quality of life for people with disability” in Cambodia.

Achievement of the end-of-program outcome, (“People with disability have increased opportunities for participation in social, economic, cultural and political life through effective implementation of the National Disability Strategic Plan (NDSP)”, will contribute to improve quality of life for people with disabilities.

The DRIC Programme is a broad initiative aiming to significantly enhance an enabling environment for persons with disabilities in Cambodia. The project will consist of the following four components:  Supporting Government implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (implemented by UNDP);  Supporting Disabled People’s Organisations to raise the voice and protect the rights of people with disability (implemented by UNDP);  Supporting rehabilitation sector system strengthening (implemented by WHO);  Inclusive governance and inclusive community development (implemented by UNICEF).

The project receives funding support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government and will provide support to the Royal Government of Cambodia, disabled people organisations, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

10. Organizational Context: The specialist will work closely with project partners (UNICEF, WHO and other UN agencies, development partners, national counterparts and civil society organizations) in implementation of a new programmatic framework of assistance to person with disabilities in Cambodia. The specialist will support the Programme Coordination team contributing to the development and implementation of the UN joint programme.

11. Description of tasks: Under the direct supervision of the DRIC-UN Joint Programme Coordinator, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 

Assist Programme Coordinator in providing regular updates on the programme progress to stakeholders at the sub-national, national and international level;

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Assist Programme Coordinator in coordination with other UN agencies and partners in the joint dissemination of information on the Cambodia DRIC programme;

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Work closely with different stakeholder groups to identify relevant advocacy initiatives and support the Programme Coordinator in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities within the given mandate of the DRIC programme.

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Maintain and regularly update the Cambodia DRIC Programme Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts;

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Ensure that all relevant information is available and accessible in the DRIC webpage by regularly maintaining and updating the webpage with the assistance of UN-RC communication unit.

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Facilitate production of DRIC newsletters to feature key status and progress of the DRIC programme.

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Assist Programme Coordinator in liaising and coordinating with other UN agencies, line ministries, government agencies, development partners and national and international stakeholders including civil society organizations on issues related to DRIC programme.

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Undertake field visits/joint monitoring visits along with the Programme Coordination Team in identifying isseus for advocacy at the national and sub-national level.

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Provide assistance in research and identification of best practices and lessons learned in terms of improving the rights of persons with disabilities.

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);

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Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

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Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;

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Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;

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Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;

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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.

11. Results/Expected Outputs:

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Assistance provided to programme coordinator in effective coordination of the implementation of the DRIC programme;

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Key messages are effectively communicated to the partners and stakeholders;

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Learnings from the programme are effectively disseminated to the partners and the stakeholders;

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Provision of support to the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of other UN initiatives impacting the DRIC programme, with focus on ensuring synergies;

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Identification and gathering of best practices, lessons learned, and knowledge sharing;

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The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

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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

12. Qualifications/Requirements A) Qualifications, skills, experience: 

At least 22 years old.

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Degree level: Master's degree

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Type of Degree: Postgraduate degree in social sciences, law, or related discipline.

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At least two years of professional experience, preferably in development programs;

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Demonstrated interest and/or work/volunteering experience in the area of disability rights is desirable.

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Experience on working in a development project/programme, preferably in the area of coordination and reporting preferred.

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Hands on experience in monitoring and evaluation of development projects is desired.

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High level of competency in writing reports and undertaking analysis of the data desired.

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Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and identify priorities for follow up activities desired.

B) Key competencies and values: 

Ability to focus on a variety of tasks within deadlines and to work under stress where needed to achieve results;

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Programmatic insight and understanding;

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Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills;

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Excellent interpersonal skills within a cross-cultural context, including patience, flexibility and a commitment to teamwork and inclusion;

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Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;

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Willingness to travel in the country;

Further specifications: Women, especially women with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

14. Living Conditions: The climate of Cambodia is tropical, monsoonal and is characterized by heat and humidity. The rainy season lasts from May to October and the hot, dry season from November until April.

Houses and apartments are available to suit most budgets and preferences. House hunting is not difficult in Phnom Penh. The usual means of locating suitable accommodation is through estate agents/realtors.

There are few taxi operators in Phnom Penh, so for daily transportation the cheapest, fastest and most frequent mode of travel is by motodup. Some UN volunteers chose to purchase their own mode of transportation, be it a car, a motorbike or a pushbike. They are strictly recommended by UN security to wear seatbelts in cars and helmets when traveling on motorbikes, motodups or bicycling.

In terms of health, common diseases in Cambodia are those which exist in other tropical countries like diarrhea, malaria, dengue and HIV/AIDS. Most of the serious cases have been reported contracted in hilly, rural and densely forested areas. City dwellers like in Phnom Penh can also be at risk due to poor disposal of waste. Generally in cities, people use purified water for drinking and cooking. The recommended vaccinations are those against typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and Japanese Encephalitis.

While medical facilities in Cambodia are sufficient for the treatment of most routine ailments and minor accidents, illnesses and accidents of more serious nature require medical evacuation, usually to Bangkok.

15. Conditions of Service for National UN Volunteers 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 the 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 US$631 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.

Description of Assignment prepared by the hosting project/UN Agency: Name: Mr. Pradeep Bagival, DRIC-UN Joint Programme Coordinator Date:

26 March 2016

Description of Assignment approved by the UNV Field Unit: Name: Seija Anttonen, UNV Programme Officer, Cambodia Date:

26 March 2016

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.