Assistant Project Officer (For MAURITIAN Nationals only)

The United Nations Development Programme Country Office in Mauritius has formulated the project ‘Support to Inclusive Development’ in collaboration with the Government of Mauritius in 2009. The project seeks to support various sections of civil society through awareness activities, capacity building and the stimulation and proper channelling of volunteerism in Mauritius. Such encouragement and management of volunteerism will take place under the aegis of the Non-State Actor Unit at the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare and Reform Institutions. The Non-State Actor Unit is fully integrated and aligned with a wider government strategy to bolster Civil Society and further engagements with Non-State Actors. This comprehensive approach is referred to as ‘the four pillars’. Volunteering forms one pillar, whilst the others concern NGO Capacity Building, NGO Resource Acquisition, and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant Project officer has a vital role to play for the smooth running of the Non-State Actor Unit and in the proper stimulation and channelling of volunteering throughout Mauritius. The Assistant Project Officer will report to the Ministry of Social Security Project Coordinator and the UNDP Senior Programme Manager. The Assistant Project officer will also be helping the NSA Unit in project and assignment planning and management. She/he will be also assisted by 2 international UNV officers recruited by UNDP. Summary of Key Functions: Administrative support to the NSA Unit Assist in the establishment of a Professional corps of volunteers Assist in project development and management Assist in the mobilisation and management of volunteers Under the direction and overall guidance of the Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Social Security in consultation with the UNDP Senior Programme Manager and the Ministry of Social Security, the Assistant Project officer is expected to perform following functions: 1. Provide administrative support to the NSA Unit. Prepare request for direct payment and submit to UNDP with all supporting documents such as vendor creation and invoice Ensure delivery as agreed work plan Assist in the organization of workshops by the NSA Unit Assist the UNV Project Officers in completing the Quarterly Progress report and Annual Progress report Drafting minutes such as Project Board meeting, workshop reports etc 2. Assist in the establishment of a professional corps of volunteers for NGOs to tap into: Overarching Role Assist in the promotion of volunteerism within Mauritius at central as well as non-governmental and community levels; Contribute to the promotion of voluntary action, among others, for social inclusion, civic engagement, national capacity development, and poverty reduction; Organize collaborative activities such as International Volunteer Day and other efforts with local and international volunteer Agencies, in promoting volunteerism; Work with and further promote the local practices of volunteering and people working together for building social capital, inclusion, cohesion and solidarity. 3. Assist in project Development and Management Assist the 2 UNV officers in the strategic direction and implementation of volunteerism in Mauritius through the following tasks: Assist in the Design and formulate initiatives to promote volunteerism in Mauritius and citizen engagement into interventions with strategic partners at the national, provincial and local levels; Assist in the identification and subsequent matching of NGOs that would benefit from the placements with the skills and interests of the applicant volunteers. Familiarize him/herself with Government, UN System and other development cooperation activities in the country that offer a potential for programme or policy contributions of volunteerism in Mauritius, including the appropriate use of volunteers; Explore concrete ways to integrate volunteerism into projects being formulated and implemented by Non-State Actors (NSAs) and development partners in Mauritius; Organise sessions in schools for presenting volunteerism, also through the help of volunteer lecturers; Coordinate the annual volunteer award in the island; Organise visits to field projects for the project coordinator and for members of steering committee, as required. 4. Assist in the Mobilization and Management of Volunteers Assist (either directly or through referrals) NGOs requesting the services of volunteers under this scheme in the preparation of terms of reference, leading to comprehensive and realistic post descriptions, clearly identifying the volunteer nature of each assignment; Ensure individual assignment preparation and appropriate stipend allocation in conjunction with the host agency, prior to the commencement of the volunteer’s contract. Ensure maintenance of comprehensive updated records of the contractual status of all serving volunteers and initiate timely action on decisions concerning post extensions, renewals and replacements; Ensure compliance of reporting requirements by the volunteers. Participate in collaboration with the 2 UNV officers in reviews and discussions with Government, host organizations and development partners and stay abreast of volunteers’ performance, challenges and overall situations; Extend personal support and guidance to the volunteers in the country through the sharing of concerns, expectations, and advice; and build-up a mutual support network for volunteers in the country; Help in the orientation of new volunteers and the periodic get-togethers and meetings among the volunteers serving in the country, as deemed necessary; Assist the volunteers in building professional competencies, as required, for effective contribution to the host agency/country; Assist in the recruitment process of candidates living in the country through organizing interviews, with the participation of relevant NSAs, to assess their suitability for the volunteer assignments

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Core competencies define successful skills, abilities, behaviours, or knowledge. While the job description outlines the particular duties and responsibilities of the position, core competencies describe those characteristics and skill-sets an individual must possess in order to satisfactorily perform in the position and support the organizations’ visions and goals. Given below are the core competencies of the NSA PO. Functional Competencies: Volunteer: Possessing prior volunteering experience with the UN and/or other agencies in development cooperation; volunteer work at community level, national and international levels Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork: Demonstrating commitment to UNDP/UNV’s vision and values, supporting information-sharing environment, developing self-awareness, understanding and valuing diversity, developing team skills and coaching, assessing performance, promoting excellence in performance, facilitating learning from others, preventing and resolving conflicts. People Skills: Listening, giving and receiving feedback, demonstrating interpersonal effectiveness, sharing knowledge and experience, handling criticism, showing empathy and becoming assertive. Service Orientation: Considering others in decisions and actions, designing processes and procedures that effectively meet partners’ and/or colleagues’ needs, providing effective and appropriate service to partner agencies and focusing on achieving performance. Communications: Effective written and verbal communication skills, drafting correspondence, reports, memoranda of understanding in the working languages of the organization, presenting information clearly and concisely. Innovation and Judgment: Learning from experience, identifying and seizing opportunities, contributing practical ideas, exerting influence, assuming accountability, thinking holistically, solving problems, taking decisions, finding the right values in experience. Accountability: Taking responsibility and accountability for one’s own actions; considering the consequences before acting and making a decision; interpreting and following UNDP/UNV’s policies and procedures accurately. Marketing Skills: Knowledge of the realities of the current competitive marketplace; possessing superior skills in marketing UNDP/UNV’s mission within the context of the current political, economical and social conditions. Managing for Results: Measuring progress towards the goals of UNDP/UNV; determining the strategies and resources to improve performance, provide updated information about progress in meeting performance objectives; offering suggestions to enable improved performance produces quality results to meet established UNDP/UNV’s goals. Results-Orientation: Setting challenging goals and monitor progress toward achievement of results, using timely and effective decision-making to achieve goals. Partnering and Networking: Developing partnerships, forging new and developing strategic alliances, negotiating effectively and networking with others in similar roles internally and externally. Planning and Results Orientation: Developing action plans and focusing on the future, developing direction, setting and monitoring goals, managing projects/tasks and evaluating outcomes. Technology Awareness: Supporting and understanding the advantages provided by technology. Human Resources Development and Management: Recruiting (identifying, interviewing, selecting) volunteers, briefing and debriefing volunteers, coaching and supporting volunteers.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications and Experience Masters degree in Development, Economics, Project Management or similar. Fluency in English essential, fluency in French will constitute a strong advantage. Previous volunteering experience and strong communication, inter-personal and presentation skills are essential. Extensive work experience (at least 5 years) in project development and implementation relating to poverty alleviation. Computer literacy, including ability to use basic applications such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint effectively. Candidates should produce written evidence of experience/knowledge/qualifications claimed. Duties and Conditions of Employment Detailed Terms of Reference is available on UNDP website at http://un.intnet.mu. Salary Salary will be based on local UNDP salary scale for Service Contract. Mode of Application Interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through UNDP jobs website: http://jobs.undp.org. Please ensure that you upload your UNDP Personal History Form – P11 (available at http://un.intnet.mu) and CV as one attachment in the relevant field of the on-line application. Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP reserves the right not to make any appointment following this advertisement

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.