Website UN Women
Programme Assistant
Assignment country: Nepal
Expected start date: 01/01/2024
Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action
Volunteer category: National UN Youth Volunteer
Host entity: UNWomen
Type: Onsite
Expected end date: 31/12/2024
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Kathmandu
Details
Mission and objectives
The Government of Nepal has adopted important normative frameworks for women’s human rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, and UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. These commitments are enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal and efforts are being taken to ensure that all laws and policies conform with the constitutional provisions on gender equality.
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
Established by General Assembly resolution 64/289 of 2 July 2010 on system-wide coherence, with a mandate to assist the Member States and the United Nations system to progress more effectively and efficiently towards the goal of achieving gender equality, women’s empowerment, and upholding women’s rights, UN Women’s global programmatic priorities for the period 2018-2022 are: (a) a comprehensive and dynamic set of global norms, policies and standards on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is strengthened and implemented; (b) women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems; (c) women have income security, decent work, and economic autonomy; (d) all women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence; and (e) women
Context
UN Women has a triple mandate:
- to provide normative support to inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms
- to provide programme implementation support to Member States who request support in implementing these standards, by providing technical expertise and financial resources
- to coordinate the UN system’s work on gender equality to enhance coherence as well as to promote accountability, including through regular monitoring of system-wide progress.
The Government of Nepal has adopted important normative frameworks for women’s human rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, and UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. These commitments are enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal and efforts are being taken to ensure that all laws and policies conform with the constitutional provisions on gender equality. UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027), and the UN Women Nepal’s current Strategic Note (SN) 2023-2027, UN Women Nepal has identified “Environmental Sustainability, Climate and Disaster Resilience” as one its key priorities highlighted in Outcome 1.3 that “By 2027, more people, especially women, youth, children, and the most marginalized and poor, increasingly benefit from and contribute to building an inclusive, sustainable, climate-resilient, and green society and reduced impacts of disasters at federal, provincial, and local levels”.
In line with the Government of Nepal’s commitment to develop climate-smart villages, UN Women will pilot gender-responsive and inclusive climate-smart villages in collaboration with local governments, as an innovative model, building on lessons learned from past programming as well as it will continue its work in gender responsive DRR and climate actions (at normative, coordination and operational levels. UN Women will work to strengthen its partnership with the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the Alternative Energy Promotion Center, to ensure women and excluded groups have access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable and modern energy targeting women and vulnerable group. Similarly, UN Women will engage with government and CSO to advocate for implementation commitments in COPs, Paris agreements, CEDAW, SDG, Sendai Framework and beyond. It will strengthen its engagement in accessing funding opportunity to be mobilized for gender and social inclusion priorities in vertical funds, multilateral and bilateral funding windows and as part of Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID) in Nepal.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, the National UN Youth Volunteer will:
- Provide logistical support to the formulation and management of programmes
- Provide coordination support with partners agencies for events and programmes
- Provide administrative support to generate financial reports from system as required,
- Provide administrative support to maintain project related documents
- Provide administrative support for the audit of programmes/ projects and follow up support for the implementation of audit recommendations,
- Identify sources and gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers, in collaboration with the Programme team.
- Provide administrative support to the financial management of the Programme Unit
- Provide support to prepare and process partner narrative and financial reports in line with the standard checklist and guidance,
- Prepare non-PO vouchers for development projects, •
- Provide support to collect reports and relevant evidences from consultants and process payment, as delegated,
- Create requisitions in quantum for development projects;
- Provide administrative support to the Programme Unit
- Undertake all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for organization of meetings, workshops, events, and missions,
- Provide support to prepare submission package for PAC and PRC review as required as well as contract extension and amendment including SSA,
- Provide support to prepare travel request and travel related clearances
- Draft meeting minutes as delegated,
- Assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations, in collaboration with the Programme team,
- Organize and coordinate filing of documents; maintain mailing lists,
- Provide support to consolidate and upload relevant documents to PGAMS.
- Provide administrative support to resource mobilization
- Organize, compile, and process documentation and information from donors, and programme team as inputs to various databases and documents.
- Perform other duties and assignments as requested in support of the monitoring, evaluation and resource mobilization efforts at NCO, as and when required.
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 International Volunteer Day).
- 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.
- Strengthened efficiency of the programme team
- Effective programmatic and administrative support to the UN Women Nepal Country office
- Strengthened coordination support with programmatic partners
- Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
- 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 International Volunteer Day);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
- 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.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 26
Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
1 years of experience in or Demonstrated interest and/or experience in (specific thematic/technical area required); Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).
Area(s) of expertise: Administration, Business management, Development programmes
Driving license: –
Languages
Nepalese, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level: Secondary education
Competencies and values
Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women 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 UN Women 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 UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, lies under the Phase 1 of the UN Security classification, but is subject to change depending on the development of the security situation. Living conditions in Kathmandu are good. Comfortable inexpensive flats (furnished and unfurnished) are available in Kathmandu. Both imported and local foods and clothing are abundantly available. There is a short supply of water while it is also not safe to drink without treatment. Public transport is easily available and generally reliable though traffic congestion is extremely high. Kathmandu has a temperate climate with coldest temperature reaching just above zero at the night during the winter and mild but humid during the monsoon period, mid-June to end September.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
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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