United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV)
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UNV volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity. UNV engaged 7,545 UNV volunteers in 2009, on a total of 7,716 assignments. With an average age of 37 years and the requisite professional skills and qualifications of some 5 to 10 years relevant experience, UNV volunteers served in 128 countries in 2009 and came themselves from 158. The majority – 79 per cent – come from developing countries themselves. One third of UNV volunteers served in their own countries, with the others carrying out international assignments. The financial equivalent of programme activities exceeds US$219 million annually. In addition, as the focal point in the United Nations for the International Year of the Volunteers (IYV2001), UNV is active in the follow-up to the Year, for which the key objectives are the recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteerism. UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – with the majority in Bonn and some positions with different UN peacekeeping and political missions, and in other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo). The major organizational groups within UNV are: - the Office of the Executive Coordinator (OEC);
- the Evaluation Unit (EU);
- the Corporate Planning and Performance Unit (CPPU);
- the Volunteer Programming and Management Group (VPMG) comprising the Peace Division (PD) and the Development Division (DD), Volunteer Recruitment Resources Section (VRRS), Quality Assurance Unit (QAU), Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS);
- the Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD) comprising the Partnerships Section (PS) and the Communications Unit (CU);
- The Management Services Division (MSD) comprising the Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS), Finance Section (FS), Human Resources Section (HRS), and the Administration Unit (AU). Additionally the Common Services Unit (CSU) provides support to the UN presence in Bonn.
Organizational setting:
The Communications Unit focuses on clear and effective messaging to increase the visibility and impact of UNV. It documents the status of volunteerism and its contribution to development, raises awareness of volunteerism and its contribution to development among UNV stakeholders, encourages support of volunteerism for development, including observation of IVD, and produces and promotes materials (websites, annual reports, videos, etc.) to highlight UNV’s support for volunteerism for development and its contribution to partners’ development and programming objectives. |
Reporting to the Chief, Partnerships and Communications Division, the Chief Communications Unit, is responsible for guidance and supervision of the Communication Unit, development and implementation of the corporate communications strategy, priority and standards. Specific duties include the following: Lead design and implementation of communication strategy and products - Lead UNV’s corporate communications strategy to promote and advance public understanding and support for the UNV for review and approval by Senior Management
- Implement the strategy through the development of advocacy materials, information materials, promotional items, publications, websites and social media networks and other innovative means of communication
- Implement the brand communications strategy for UNV, and support training and development of brand resource materials and guidelines; develop templates and guidelines for UNV communications products
- Lead the continual development of the UNV brand and brand image consistent with UNV programme priorities and ensure that UNV staff and Field Units are appropriately supported and trained effectively in brand communications and the application of the communications strategy
- Monitor application of the brand and communications strategy ensuring consistency
- Lead the development of UNV’s use of social media (Facebook, Twitter etc) and multimedia tools (video, photography, digital)
- Ensure that UNV produces quality photographs and videos and DVD productions as a major communications tool
- Lead an annual corporate communications planning exercise
- As the Communications focal point for a portfolio of internal clients, work with them to identify and support their communication needs in English and at least one of French or Spanish
- Oversee the implementation of public relations/information plans and programmes accordingly
- Identify the need for, prepare, produce and disseminate the UNV publications and audio-visual materials, including the Annual Report, brochures for target audiences or on thematic areas, videos and photography; and ensure a streamlined publishing process
- Advise on the productions, editing, translation, design, printing and distribution, of communications products and tools; advise on issues of copyright etc.
- Proactive use of the knowledge systems and tools (Knowledge Management System, VRS, etc.) for developing communications materials
- Oversee the strategic development of the UNV website s (English, French and Spanish) including content development, expansion and continual assessment of the innovative quality and relevance of web-based information services such as publications and news releases for both the UNV website and world volunteer web
- Lead the writing in English and at least one of French or Spanish of speeches, official statements and the preparation of presentations for the Executive Coordinator and the Deputy Executive Coordinator and does so in close collaboration with the OEC
- Support Procurement Unit with suggested roster of vendors, e.g. writers, editors, copy editors, designers, translators, photographers and printers for easy reference and contracting
- Evaluate client feedback to enhance effectiveness and quality of services rendered
- Ensure timely and appropriate response to public enquiries
Media relations - Assume lead responsibility for ensuring media coverage with a view to advancing knowledge of UNV and building support among policy makers and the public
- Ensure UNV significantly increase its visibility both in the general public and with its partners though effective use of broadcast media (radio and television) at international, national and local levels
- Develop, nurture and maintain communications partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of UNV’s advocacy and communication objectives. Such include UN agencies and external media networks
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with representatives of all types of media, to ensure best possible cooperation with UNV; act as UNV spokesperson as requested in English and at least one of French or Spanish
- Advise Senior Management on special public events which UNV should organize and/or participate in. Supervise implementation accordingly. Provide advice and expertise to senior officers and other staff on the most effective public information methods and approaches
- Ensure clear and consistent messages to media including formal statements, and appropriate handling of sensitive topics.
Representation and Networking - Promote and advance understanding of and support for UNV’s work, including through forging and strengthening communications networking with UN system agencies, governments, non-governmental organizations, and the global volunteer community
- As requested, act as a focal point for liaison and coordination with officials of governments, UNDP, and UN agencies with respect to public relations and information; prepare, coordinate and provide periodic briefings
- Manage the UNV annual global campaign to promote volunteerism for development on International Volunteer Day (IVD), engaging UNV programme staff and volunteers globally and support the global IVD public information campaign
- Conduct missions to raise the visibility of UNV, including, as requested, accompanying senior staff on official travel
- Represent UNV in forums to promote its objectives, solicit support and promote optimum visibility of UNV’s corporate and programme activities.
Identify and plan for UNV communications training - Identify communications training needs and recommend appropriate tools and methods to enhance communications skills by stakeholders at all levels across UNV
- Ensure adequate processes within the Unit and provision of training and support
- Participate in the briefing and training of UNV programme officers and field personnel
- Stay abreast of evolving best practices in the areas of communications in general and in the UN system in particular, paying particular attention to relevant and applicable approaches relevant to UNV’s context
Management - Lead the Communications Unit ensuring it provides the organization with professional communications expertise. The Communications Unit communications is uniquely placed to play a strong coordinating role across the breadth of UNV, ensuring the communications loop is completed. The Unit is the hub of UNV communications and will lead on the application and future development of UNV’s corporate communications strategy Efficiently manage the Unit to achieve the outputs and quality assurance of all activitiesby establishing work plans, resources required, priorities, timelines and performance benchmarks for the Unit . Monitor progress. Take timely action and/or decisions to ensure objectives are met
- Provide direction and leadership to the unit to engender collaborative, innovative and results-based teamwork; ensure close cooperation with the Peace and Development Divisions for targeted programme-driven communications.
Other related duties that may be assigned.
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Functional Competencies: Building Strategic Partnerships - Identifies and prioritizes opportunities and obstacles in the political scene (government, civil society, parliamentarians, pressure groups) to advance UNV’s agenda; identifies common interests and goals and carries out joint initiatives with partners
- Makes effective use of UNDP’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships
- Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Actively seeks and promotes innovative methodologies and leads the development of supporting policies/tools to encourage learning and knowledge sharing
- Develops and/or participates in the development of policies and new approaches and participates in training of staff in their application throughout the organization
- Promotes UNV as a learning/knowledge sharing organization
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise - Possesses expert knowledge of advanced concepts in primary discipline, a broad knowledge of related disciplines, as well as an in-depth knowledge of relevant organizational policies and procedures
- Applies knowledge to support the unit/branch’s objectives and to further the mandate of UNV
- For managers: applies a broad knowledge of best management practices; defines objectives and work flows, positions reporting relationships in such a way as to obtain optimum effectiveness for the unit/branch
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself personally
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
- Demonstrates expert knowledge of the current programme guidelines and project management tools and manages the use of these regularly in work assignments
Promoting Organizational Change and Development - Provides change and development advice, including the design and implementation of change strategies / processes to enable staff/the organization to deal with change effectively
- Drives process definition, simplification, and integration efforts throughout the organization
Strategic Alignment of Management Practice (HQ & RSCs) - Understands the strategic direction and context in terms of management requirements and ensures management policies and practices support the achievement of organizational goals
- Anticipates and understands internal and external issues and opportunities that may impact the organization
Design and Implementation of Management Systems - Designs management systems based on established best practice and identified needs within UNV
- Manages complex design projects where different actors are involved at different stages of the project until completed
- Formulates strategy for the implementation of systems
- Advocates through internal networks the demonstrable value of existing systems to facilitate achievement of organizational goals
- Review systems performance to support rigorous development of systems standards and modes of operation
Client Orientation - Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives
- Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services
- Consults with clients and ensures their needs are represented in decision-making processes
- Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNV programmes and operations
Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management - Ensures compliance with the organizational standards for audit, monitoring and evaluation and results-based management and promotes and monitors their application
- Promotes a culture of accountability in the organization
Core Competencies: - Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
- Building support and political acumen
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
- Building and promoting effective teams
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNV & setting standards
- Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning
- Fair and transparent decision -making
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