Vacancy Type: National Regular UN Volunteer
Posting Type: External
Bureau: United Nations Volunteers
Contract Duration: 6 Months
This recruitment will be handled by UNV Nairobi Kenya. A candidate could be deployed to other locations outside Nairobi. This position is open for Kenyan nationals only as well as legal residents in the country or territory with the status of refugee/status of being stateless
Background
Preamble
The United Nations Volunteers ( UNV ) programmeis 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
Organizational Context/Project
The National Gender and Equality Commission-NGEC with support from UN Women shall be implementing a programme whose global objective shall be to strengthen foundations for transformative gender equality in Kenya delivered through a rights based approach. This has been arrived at through signing of a Letter of Agreement between NGEC and the UN Women that clearly outlines the relationship, objectives of the agreement and activities through which the objectives shall be achieved.
The National Gender and Equality Commission is an oversight state agency established through the 2010 constitution of Kenya and operationalized through an Act of Parliament of 2011. The Commission is a successor in title to the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission established by Article 59 of the Constitution, pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of that Article.
The overall mandate of the Commission is to promote gender equality and freedom from discrimination in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution through monitoring, facilitation and advisories on the integration of the principles of equality and inclusion in all national and county policies, laws, and administrative regulations in all public and private institutions. The Commission is the principal organ of the State in ensuring compliance with all treaties and conventions ratified by Kenya relating to issues of equality and freedom from discrimination and relating to special interest groups including minorities and marginalized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and children. Further, the Commission coordinates and facilitates mainstreaming of issues of gender, persons with disability and other marginalized groups in national development and advises on the development of affirmative action implementation policies as contemplated in the Constitution.
Globally, UN Women is mandated to: supports international political negotiations to formulate globally agreed standards for gender equality, assist UN member states to implement those standards by providing expertise and financial support, and assist other UN agencies in their efforts to advance gender equality across a broad spectrum of issues related to human rights and human development. Through Programme and Technical Assistance in countries that request its assistance, UN Women works with government and non-governmental partners to help them put in place policies, laws, services, and resources that women require to move towards equality.
UN Women in partnership with NGEC (the implementing agency) is searching for two UN Volunteers in the area of technical assistance in implementation of the planned programme activities under based in NGEC headquarter offices in Nairobi, upper hill. Under the supervision of the NGEC programme officer, the Programme Assistants Volunteers will provide technical assistance in active planning and implementation of the programme activities, including reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
Living Conditions
The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has seven administrative provinces plus the Nairobi Area. Provinces are further divided into districts. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 39 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at a rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are ‘maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.’ (FAO) The normal ‘lean season’ is in June and July. Severe drought in 1999-2000 led to decreased agricultural production, and according to FAO, ‘seriously undermined the food security of 4.4 million people, particularly in pastoral areas. Kenya.
Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at cost. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that is serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.
Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers
A 6 – 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 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 74, 254 Ksh 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the of the NGEC Programme Officer, the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks
- Assist in all the project work as may be required in the development of work-plans, budgets and strategies;
- Assist in taking minutes for the project meetings;
- Assist in receiving, acknowledgment and filing of project correspondences;
- Assist in research, preparation and dissemination of project reports, publications and written products when called upon;
- Assist in planning and coordination of activities and accompany the departmental team to meetings, workshops when necessary;
- Assist in developing and editing information, education and communication (IEC) materials
- Undertake all assignments as may be directed by the supervisor and
- Carry out any other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the NGEC.
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 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.
Results/Expected Output
- The activities above will greatly contribute to successful implementation of the Strengthening Foundations for Transformative Gender Equality in Kenya: A Programme for Public and Private Sector programme. The UN volunteers will provide activity reports and final programme report at the end of the implementation period to inform the way forward on transformative gender equality in Kenya.
- By the end of assignment the UN programme assistant Volunteers will have mobilized, at least, 2 committed volunteers to support gender equality work and will have participated in their induction on the relevant information, standards and policies.
- 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.
Competencies
- Knowledge and understanding of the Commission’s mandate that include working with special interest groups including minorities and marginalized persons, women, persons with disabilities youth and children;
- Basic knowledge of the role of the UN Women in Kenya.
- Knowledge in legal frameworks, policies, conventions and treaties on gender equality and women empowerment
- Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills;
- Ability to work under minimal supervision, self-motivation;
- Competencies to review documents for content and style, and assist with formal presentations;
- Proven ability to analyze documents and write compelling reports;
- Acts with integrity and honesty in relationships with all stakeholders;
- Must be computer literate
- A competency in M & E and data analysis is an added advantage
Required Skills and Experience
- Bachelors degree in social science, law, or related field from a recognized university.
- Minimum of two year experience in project/ programme related work.
- Experience in reporting and writing minutes for project/ programme meetings;
- Experience in project filing and acknowledging correspondences;
- Ability to research and prepare project reports ;
- Good mobilization skills.
Disclaimer
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.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi