Thailand: UNV Regional Innovation Specialist in Basic Social Services

Type of Assignment: International UN Volunteer

Type of Assignment Place: Family Duty Station

Assignment Title: Regional Innovation Specialist in Basic Social Services

Link with UNV Strategic Framework: Securing access to basic social services

Duty Station, Country: Bangkok, Thailand

Duration (in months): 12 months with possibility of extension based on performance

Expected Starting Date: Immediately

Host Agency/Host Institute: UNV Regional Office, Bangkok

Description of tasks:

Under the direct supervision of the UNV Regional Manager, who is the head of the UNV Regional Office, the UN Volunteer Regional Basic Social Services Specialist will:

A. Undertake and support the strategic planning and programming on Basic Social Services initiatives in the region in line with the UNV Basic Social Services Global Programme including programme development, preparation of concept notes and project documents, technical and coordination support to Field Units. Specifically she/he will undertake the following key functions:

• Keep abreast of development challenges and priorities on volunteering and Basic Social Services in general in countries within the region to identify relevant entry points at the UNV Field Units (FU) level for programming and partnerships;
• Provide support to FUs in developing the concept notes and project documents in line with the strategic quality criteria to be considered for funding under UNV global programmes;
• Develop consistent result frameworks and theories of change aligned to the UNV IRRM, the global programme documents and global projects for each priority area;
• Identify programmatic opportunities that maximise potential for volunteer mobilization as well as promotion of volunteerism in working closely with the FUs and the Portfolio Managers;
• Gather relevant information and analysis on regional trends on Basic Social Services in general and related volunteerism in particular as a basis to make substantive contributions to discussions, network, think tanks, etc. on Basic Social Services and volunteerism;
• Under the guidance of the Regional Manager, undertake a scoping exercise in conjunction with the UNV FUs to gather technical knowledge and evidence based results to inform emerging and ongoing initiatives on Basic Social Services in general and related volunteerism;
• From the Basic Social Services angle provide regional-level assessments, analysis and trends on how volunteering is an asset and provide substantive inputs to UNV Field Unit teams in their engagement with UN agencies through the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and Country Programme and other planning tools for forecasting of demand in their Programmes;
• Support the development of innovative volunteering solutions enhancing delivery of public services with national, regional and sub-regional bodies with special outreach and engagement of the private sector.
• Undertake missions to support UNV Field Units in programme and project formulation on Basic Social Services in general and related volunteerism within the context of the national development plans, CCA and UNDAF processes.
• Undertake mapping exercises in order to identify the regional, sub-regional and national pipeline of projects of different UN agencies, including UN joint programmes;
• Under the guidance of the Regional Manager, participate in different forums and meetings on Basic Social Services issues, including the initiatives under the UN regional interagency thematic group on Basic Social Services.
• Integrated UNV knowledge and innovation in programme development;

B. Assist the Regional Manager in identifying and strengthening relationships with main partners in the region supporting innovative volunteering solutions enhancing multi stakeholders and volunteer engagement in delivery of public services. Specifically:

• Assist Regional Manager to analyze and strategize on innovative solutions to engage the private sector and corporate volunteering in BSS and SDGs related programmes with the UN and Government partners.
• Effectively use existing evidence and actively support evidence generation on volunteerism-related Basic Social Services in the region and develop into advocacy products and projects for resource mobilisation;
• Gather donor intelligence and mapping of relevant partners, including private sector. Contribute to conceptualization and realization of fundraising material. Contribute to development of social media packages.

C. Others Tasks:

As the UNV Regional Office is a multidisciplinary team, the team members are expected to support each other and step in in absence of a team member. The team members will also be assigned other tasks by the Regional Manager. The incumbent might be asked to provide guidance, supervise and/or be paired with online, on-site volunteers, interns who are on short term assignments.

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;
• Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
• 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 Outputs:

• Concrete programming initiatives on basic social services and related volunteerism at the regional level and field offices;
• Evidence based information on volunteerism and basic social services at the regional level is documented, disseminated and used for resource mobilisation;
• Effective support to UNV Field units to develop concept notes, project and programme within the context of UNDAF, Country Programme, UNV Global Programme, etc.
• Active participation in basic social services related fora, conferences, meetings, working groups and effective follow up on recommendations for action;
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• 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

Qualifications/Requirements (including competencies, values and skills):

A) Qualifications, skills, experience:

Degree level: Master's degree

Type of Degree: Development studies, social and community development with particular focus on health, education and gender equality, public policy, and administration or equivalent academic areas;

Years of work experience: 4-5 years of working experience in innovation and programme development with at least 2 years related to delivery of basic social services related issues, preferably as it relates with volunteerism, in an international environment or national level;

Experience in private sector engagement is an asset.

Language: Excellent English writing and communication skills.

Driving license required: No

Computer skills: Advanced computers skills (word-processing/spreadsheets, PowerPoint)

Substantive knowledge in project design and formulation as well as monitoring implementation

Knowledge of private sector CSR in Asia Pacific

Knowledge and analytical overview of the development realities and challenges in the region;

Knowledge to network and mobilization of resources is an asset;

Ability to work in teams from a multidisciplinary and cultural background.

B) Competencies and values:

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• 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.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• 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; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

If you are not yet a candidate in UNV’s database, please apply by registering your profile at
https://ereta.unv.org/html/index.php?module=myprofile. Important: Once you have created
your UNV account by validating your email address, please complete all sections of your profile
and select the following code: “**16THA_BSSS2**” from the drop down menu in the “Special
Recruitment” tab of ‘MyProfile’. Your application can only be considered once you have
submitted your complete UNV profile (green button). As a confirmation of your successful
registration, you will receive an email with your UNV roster number.

If you are registered in the UNV database of candidates, please update your profile at:
http://MyProfile.unv.org . In the “Special Recruitment” section on the left, click on the “Edit”
button and select the advertisement code “16THA_BSSS2” from the drop-down list.

Application deadline: 14 August 2016. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.