UNV Support Assistant

UN Entity: UNV 

Assignment Context:
The 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 UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society and private sector.  
 
The UNV Field Unit in Lebanon covers UNV programmes in Lebanon and Syria. The Field Unit consists of a Country Coordinator, Programme Assistant and a Country Support Assistant. The UN Volunteer will be supporting the Field Unit operations during the absence of the Programme Assistant while on maternity leave. 

Under the supervision of the Country Coordinator, the Support Assistant provides administrative and operational assistance in support of volunteer mobilization and deployment, and the promotion of volunteerism in Lebanon and Syria. 

Task description:
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNV Country Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will: 

UN Volunteer Recruitment: 
- Assist in the development and finalization of Description of Assignments, and in recording them in the Unified Volunteer Platform (UVP); 
- Support the deployment and assignment management of UN Volunteers; 
- Support the recruitment of UN Volunteers, by:  
    (a) providing needed guidance to selected candidates in completing the recruitment formalities; 
    (b) monitoring the progress of the recruitment and ensuring proper follow-up with related counterparts: candidate, host entity (HE), Volunteer Solutions Service (VSS), and Volunteer Services Center (VSC); 
    (c) Ensuring that UNV induction session for the newly deployed UN Volunteers is provided within the first 2 weeks of assignment start; 
    (d) Providing necessary support to UN Volunteers upon entry on duty. 

UNV Assignment Management: 
- Assist on the logistical and travel arrangements of arriving UN Volunteers and their recognized dependents; 
- Ensure necessary support is provided to UN Volunteers upon their arrival and deployment; 
- Assist in tracking and monitoring, on monthly basis, the contractual status of serving UN Volunteers and ensure proper follow-up with HEs to determine proper action (extension, termination) and record these actions in the UVP; 
- Support the organization of regular meetings with the serving UN Volunteers, retreat, training sessions, etc; 
- Provide support to emergency cases involving UN Volunteers and recognized dependents in the country, including cases of medical evacuation, security evacuations or the death of a UN Volunteer; 
- Leverage UNV Service Desk and relevant knowledge source to address enquiries from Host entities or UN Volunteers; 
- Assist VSC in ensuring all conditions are met before the payment of final entitlements to UN Volunteers at the end of their assignment, including completion of checklist. 

Promotion of Volunteerism: 
- Support the Country Coordinator in organizing and participating in promotion of volunteerism activities, including International Volunteer Day (IVD) events, UN Thematic days, regular UN Volunteers meetings, formal and informal gatherings; 
- Support the Country Coordinator in advocacy and outreach activities by contributing to the production of visibility materials, collecting inputs to publish success stories highlighting UN Volunteer contributions through social media and relevant UNV platforms;  
- Keep CRM updated with data related to volunteer organizations and groups in Lebanon & Syria;  
- Support outreach in all regions of Lebanon & Syria to enrich the national pool of candidates. 

When required, act as temporary back up to the Country Support Assistant and perform other administrative duties as may be required. 

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required

Required Experience:
At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in administration and/or programme support service;  

- Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset; 
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; 
- Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; 
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; 
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; 
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; 
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; 
- Sound security awareness; 
- Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. 

Inclusivity statement:
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy.

Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Beirut. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

Benefits Package:
• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 1,606.56
• Annual and learning leaves
• Medical and life Insurance
• Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service.