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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.
The UN Volunteer will work under the direct supervision of UN-Habitat Project Manager. UN-Habitat is the coordinating agency within the United Nations System for human settlement activities and in collaboration with governments is responsible for promoting and consolidating collaboration with all partners, including local authorities, private and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, Goal 11 of “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, as well as the task manager of the human settlements chapter of Agenda 21 and focal point for the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the New Urban Agenda adopted during the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), in Quito, Ecuador 2016.
The Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) is the coordinating ministry within the Palestinian Authority for all matters related to local governance, including the spatial planning at local level, and acting as focal point for planning related to Palestinian communities in Area C, the zone of the occupied Palestinian territory which falls under full authority of the Israel Defense Ministry and its Civil Administration.
Living Conditions:
As this is a national UNV assignment, the incumbent will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers
The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
Moving 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 ILS 4,641 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Well-being Differential of 30% (WBD-B) of the VLA will apply, paid on a monthly basis, depending on the ICSC classification of the duty station.
Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as return travel of (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Under the direct supervision of UN-Habitat Project Manager for ‘Fostering Tenure Security and Resilience of Palestinian Communities through Spatial-Economic Planning Interventions in Area C’ the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Preperation of placemaking projects – designing, planning, and implementation in a participatory approach with main stakeholders and in alignment with the community-driven outline plans
- Support gender mainstreaming in all related spatial planning interventions, and during the design and implementation phases of public spaces projects (Placemaking).
- Support efforts to introduce policy shifts on how to better engage youth and women in charting development visions and priorities at the local level.
- Encourage new patterns of designing, and protect existing natural and cultural heritage and historical sites and promote those sites as potential for tourism development, and balance users (women and men, alike) needs and desires with consideration of design, engineering, costs, regulations.
- Promote proper investment in the local communities, and encourage local and eco- tourism, with gender equality the main guiding principle. Perform any other related duties as may be 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 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 UNVpublications/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:
- Project/programme development: technical inputs provided to the development of programmes and projects which are in line with the relevant Governing Council resolutions, the agreed memorandum of understanding between UN-Habitat and MoLG in 2015, and the relevant national policies, and in line with her/his technical profile and expertise;
- Project management: the affected Local Government Units and MoLG and the Planning Department in particular, as well all the related partners, supported in the effective and timely execution of the EU Project Document by providing appropriate technical and management support;
- Advisory services: technical inputs provided on urban planning-related matters in the EU Project Document and the agreed memorandum of understanding between UN-Habitat and MoLG in 2015, drawing on UN-Habitat’s and the partners experiences and best practices;
- 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.
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Competencies
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- 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.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Degree level: Bachelor's degree
Type of Degree: Architecture or Urban Planning and Design
Years of work experience: 2 years of relevant working experience on community development and gender issues related to spatial planning within the Palestinian context (Area c focus)
Language (s), good command of spoken and written English and fluent in Arabic; knowledge of Hebrew is considered an important asset;
Driving license required: No
Computer skills:
Robust knowledge in: Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), MS Project (Construction Management Program), Adobe design and image editing software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premier), AutoCAD, Arc GIS;
- Proper knowledge in desiging master plans and processing of citizen objections on these plans is an asset;
- Proper knowledge in designing, planning, and implementing public spaces;
- Ability to work under pressure;
- Ability to work with vulnerable communities, including children, women, and elderly.
- Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
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