1. Art and Diseño

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. UNV Assignment Title:
Programme Assistant (01 Position)
2. Type of Assignment:
National UN Volunteer
3. UNV Programme Strategy:
a) Volunteer contributions towards crisis prevention and recovery in
UNV programme countries strengthened and recognized
b) Volunteer contribution to operational and capacity building support to
UN agencies strengthened and recognized. Youth, women and
marginalized groups voluntary participation in recovery and
development decision making is enhanced
4. Project Title:
Support to District Development Programme (SDDP)
5. Duration:
12 months
6. Location, Country:
Colombo, Sri Lanka
7. Expected Starting Date:
February 2015
8. Brief Project Description: The Governance for Local Economic Development Programme (GLED)Support to District Development Programme (SDDP) will serve as one of UNDP’s umbrella delivery
programmes for strengthening local governance capacities and improving socio-economic opportunities in
identified vulnerable regions of the country.
The Project will comprise of 4 main outputs:
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Vulnerable Groups enabled to engage in sustainable local economic development initiatives.
Local level governance institutions plan and manage service delivery with increased effectiveness
and inclusiveness.
Policy makers and development partners have an increased knowledge on good practices and
lessons learned on local economic development and local governance to policy decisions.
Vulnerable communities have increased skills and ability to participate in local governance
activities.
9. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP Sri Lanka
10. Organizational Context: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global
development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge,
experience and resources to help people build a better life. The UNDP operates in 166 countries, working
with people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local
capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and its wide range of partners.
UNDP’s focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of:
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Democratic Governance;
Poverty Reduction;
Crisis Prevention and Recovery;
Environment and Energy;
HIV/AIDS.
UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all its activities, it encourages the
protection of human rights and the empowerment of women. UNDP focuses on key development issues,
providing measurement tools, innovative analysis and often controversial policy proposals. In all its
operations, UNDP well-coordinated and inclusive approach seeks to ensure the most effective use of UN
and international resources.
11. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family
12. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Associate, GESI Cluster, the UN Volunteer will undertake
the following tasks:
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Assist the overall functions of Programme financial activities
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Assist the efficient implementation of programme strategies, processes and procedures in
accordance with UNDP rules and guidelines.
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Assist the regular monitoring of projects and sub-projects, and maintenance of updated qualitative
and quantitative information to be submitted for M&E and reporting purposes.
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Assist knowledge building and sharing project processes by documenting lessons learnt, best
practices and challenges.
Description of Key Functions
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Assist with the compilation of proper documentation and control over supporting documents for
payments; and the compilation of narrative and financial reports.
Assist project partners in implementing and monitoring sub-projects, tracking use of financial
resources, identifying the need for budget revisions and corrective actions, and maintaining
supporting documents for payments.
Assist in trouble-shooting of operational and financial problems and communication to Nationally
Implemented Partners.
Assist in the auditing of sub-projects and implementation of audit recommendations.
Conduct regular field visits to assess the status of sub-project implementation and employ timely
corrective measures, as necessary, in consultation with the designated Programme Manager.
Assist the preparation and regular update of project and sub-project fact sheets, monthly monitoring
reports, progress and completion reports, etc.
Follow-up on performance indicators and established targets, and assist in the preparation of project
progress and completion reports.
Assist in the documentation and consolidation of lessons learnt, best practices, case studies, case
stories, etc., in written, picture and video form.
Draft resource materials, meeting notes and minutes.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
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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);
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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.
13. Results/Expected Output:
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The UN Volunteer will support a consultative planning process for the GLED/SDDP programme, as
well as an effective implementation of project work plans, in close consultation and collaboration with
GESI Cluster and GLED Programme Manager.
Delivery of the tasks highlighted in the Description of Assignment.
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.
14. Qualifications/Requirements:
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A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance or related field is preferable. An equivalent
combination of educational and relevant work experience will be considered in the absence of a
Degree.
Minimum 2 years of relevant administrative or programme experience is required.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and
knowledge of spread sheet and database packages, experience in handling web based management
systems.
Experience building and maintaining partnerships with Government, other development partners and
the private sector.
Demonstrated capacity to undertake assigned responsibilities and work under pressure.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a good team player.
Fluency in spoken and written English, and knowledge of the main communication language of
the region of assignment.
15. Living Conditions:
Colombo 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.
16. Conditions of Service:
A 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and
utilities; equivalent to Rs 44,831 for Colombo; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent
disability insurance; resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. All products designed, developed and
produce under UNV contract are property of the UN.
17. How to Apply
This post is open only to Sri Lankan nationals. Interested candidates should send their CV with a cover
letter (in English) and telephone/email contact information by email to [email protected] indicating
the post title “Programme Assistant (SDDP)” in the subject line of the email, or by post to the
address below clearly indicating the post title on the top left hand corner of envelope, to reach by
nd
Monday 2 February 2015.
United Nations Volunteers
202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha
Colombo 7
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.