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. UNV Assignment Title: Coordinator for the ‘Greening the UN’ campaign
2. Type of Assignment: National UN Volunteer
3. Project Title: UN Communications Team
4. Duration: 1 year
5. Location, Country: Hanoi, Viet Nam
6. Expected Starting Date: 1 February 2014
7. Brief Project Description:
Under the overall supervision of the Manager of the UN Communications Team, the ‘Green Campaign’ Coordinator is responsible for leading the coordination and implementation of the ongoing ‘Greening the UN’ campaign, which seeks to promote green behaviours and attitudes among UN staff in Viet Nam.
8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UN Communications Team
9. Organizational Context:
All UN agencies in Viet Nam will be moving to a Green One UN House, expected towards the end of 2013. In order to prepare staff for this transition, the UN Country Team (UNCT) mandated an internal change management task force to start work to promote green behaviours among all staff. A collaboration was set up between the UN and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to implement the ‘Greening the UN’ campaign, aiming to raise awareness among staff of green behaviours and find ways to reduce the ecological footprint of UN agencies in Viet Nam. In September 2011, the UNCT approved the Green Office Action Plan which guided the campaign over a 12-month period. Implementation of the action plan was audited by WWF and as a result the UN is now recognized as a WWF Green Office. Targets and actions focused on five areas, namely energy efficiency, material consumption, transport, staff awareness and management.
Amongst others, the green campaign has been supported by the UN Communications Team, and the national UNV will be a part of this team. The UN Communications Team was established in late 2006. A joint, co-located team, combining more than ten communications staff from four agencies (UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and UNAIDS) and externally funded staff, it provides communication support to the UN-wide advocacy and communication agenda in Viet Nam; to One UN internal and external communication; and to thematic and agency specific communication activities.
The UN Volunteer will work closely with all members of the communications team, including the team manager, the team leader for change management and the internal and online communication officer. The UN Volunteer will also work closely with the green focal points nominated by each UN agency and the ‘Green Champions’ - a network of volunteers from all UN agencies supporting the campaign.
10. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment with family
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the UN communication liaison officer in charge of communication support to the UN’s change management agenda, the UN Volunteer will be the outward face of the campaign and ensure the overall coordination of the campaign. S/he will undertake the following tasks:
- Chair campaign meetings and ensure the overall continuation and coordination of the campaign, including follow up of the activities detailed in the first and second Green Action Plans.
- Work closely with the Green Champions and Green Focal Points to implement the second Green Action Plan (for 2013).
- With support from UN operations managers and the Green Focal Points, follow-up on the daily implementation of the campaign, monitoring progress against the Green Action Plan, conducting Green Audits, and developing initiatives to improve progress.
- Coordinate and promote the monthly Green Friday activities, seeking ways to engage more UN staff in these.
- Ensure the dissemination of campaign messages and targets and engagement of all UN staff in Viet Nam, encouraging them to be actively involved in the campaign and to help in achieving the campaign commitments.
- Provide all UN staff in Viet Nam with regular and creative updates on the progress of the campaign.
- Report campaign progress to the UNCT, the Change Management Task Force, at all staff meetings and as required.
- Manage the green campaign group page on the UN Intranet.
- Coordinate UN-wide learning sessions on green behaviours and the campaign.
- Collect feedback and advice from all staff about the campaign and ensure steps are taken to address relevant feedback and advice.
- Brief new staff members on the Green Campaign during the monthly security briefings for new staff.
- Ensure the visibility of the Green Campaign during UN events, in coordination with the Green Focal Points and Green Champions.
- Promote the UN as a Green Office role model among the Green Office member network.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged 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 IVD);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
- 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.
12. Results/Expected Output:
- Successful coordination and follow up of the Greening the UN campaign among all UN agencies in Viet Nam
- Increased awareness of UN staff of the Green Campaign
- Increased number of UN staff who adopt green behaviors
- The Green Office certification maintained
- 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.
13. Qualifications/Requirements:
- A Bachelor's Degree in a related field of study (including but not limited to international relations, communications, marketing, environmental studies)
- Fluency in English (written and spoken)
- Good communication skills with the general ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form
- Keen interest in and understanding of environmental and green issues
- Previous experience of coordinating a similar type of campaign is highly desirable
- Proven ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and facilitation skills; as well as good organizational skills
- Ability to plan and work in a high-pressure work environment under tight deadlines
- Dynamic, creative and enthusiastic personality
14. Living Conditions:
As this is a national UNV position, candidates are expected to be already familiar with local living conditions in Viet Nam and the duty station in Hanoi.
15. Conditions of Service
A 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) is VND10,029,815 intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities. Volunteers also receive a resettlement allowance equal to one month’s VLA per 12 months assignment upon successful completion of the assignment. Full medical and life insurance is provided, and they are entitled to annual leave according to conditions of Service for national UNVs.
Description of Assignment prepared by the Project Manager/UN Agency:
Pernille Goodall, UN Communications Manager a.i., UN Communications Team
Date:
Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Country Office Teams/Support Office:
Ruby Banez, UNV Programme Officer, UNDP Viet Nam
Date:
Application procedures
Interested national candidates should include a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and an application letter (both in English) marked: “National UNV Specialist on Monitoring and Evaluation” to the address below or via email to Mrs. Hien at [email protected] [1] (preferable)
UNV Field Unit
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
72 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi
Deadline: 15 January 2014
Acknowledgements will be sent to short-listed applicants only
The United Nations Volunteers programme is committed to ensuring gender equity among UNV volunteers and welcomes applications from women