Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF’s mission is to advocate for the protection of children’s rights and it upholds the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which contains a universally agreed set of human rights for children.

Context

UNICEF’s mission is to advocate for the protection of children’s rights and it upholds the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which contains a universally agreed set of human rights for children. The overall goal of the UNICEF programme is to contribute to Kosovo’s development efforts, to enable all children, adolescents and young people, especially the most marginalized, to have their rights progressively fulfilled and to develop to their full potential in a protective and inclusive society. Based on the “leave no child behind” principle through supporting quality service delivery for children and youth, development and implementation of strategies, UNICEF is supporting strengthening capacities of local authorities to translate policies into action in five selected municipalities. 

In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts. 

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. 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. 

References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNICEF Social Policy Specialist / Municipal Focal Points or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Municipal Coordination Officer in Gjakove/Dakovica will:

• Liaise with UNICEF programme officers to coordinate and facilitate implementation of activities on daily basis between Municipality and UNICEF for all related programmatic interventions;
• Attend regularly meetings of relevant municipal directorates and coordinate programme activities;
• Ensure regular updates with regard to relevant municipal developments, identify critical needs and propose venues of interventions for smooth implementation of programme activities in the agreed work-plan;
• Support the establishment and operationalization of the municipal mechanisms on children’s rights;
• Work with relevant Municipal Directorates (Education, Social Welfare, Health, Youth, etc.), Municipal institutions, schools, CSW and other partners to obtain relevant data and analysis and help strengthen internal analytical capacities of relevant directorates and documentation of UNICEF municipal engagement interventions;
• Support monitoring of municipal programme interventions through regular field visits and quality assurance of implemented activities;
• Liaise with NGO’s, private sector and the broader spectrum of Organizations working in the Municipality of Gjakova in the area of children’s rights and wellbeing and identify entry points for greater coordination;
• In coordination with UNICEF Communication Section identify and promote good practices and success stories on local and national traditional and social media;
• Provide logistical support for smooth implementation of programme activities including with translation, when needed.
• Perform other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the Supervisor.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in education, health, child protection, social protection or other relevant programmes; experience working with local level authorities is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

• 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 children’s rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Education, Social work, Development programmes

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Albanian, Level: Fluent, Required Serbian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in social sciences or area related to education, health, child protection, social protection, social policy or other relevant fields.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Selected national UN Volunteer will be based in Gjakove/Dakovica Municipality Premises As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. 

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: 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. 

The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s 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

For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). 

For information specific to this assignment please see below:

• Monthly Living Allowance (Per month) EUR 627.58
• Entry lump sum (onetime payment) USD: 400
• Relocation costs: $200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)
• Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract) EUR 52.3
• Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents
• Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month, Certified sick leave: 30 days, Uncertified sick leave: 7 days. Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months and Maternity / Paternity leave.

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

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