COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION OFFICER AT UN VOLUNTEERS TANZANIA
Advertised on behalf of
Agency: UNDP
Title: Community Mobilization Officer
Job ID: 11953
Practice Area – Job Family: Basic Social Service
Vacancy End Date 12/09/2017: (Midnight New York, USA)
Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
Education & Work Experience: F-2-Year College Degree – 1 year(s) experience
Languages Required: English, Kiswahili
Desired:
Grade: GP
Vacancy Type: National UN Youth Volunteer
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Africa
Contract Duration: 12 months
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that pro-motes 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 advo-cating 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 tradi-tions 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 them-selves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
Background
The UN system in Tanzania is entering into area-based joint programming, in order to focus upon the challenges of specific geographical areas, in this case regions, where the degree of vulnerability and disadvantage distinguishes those areas from the rest of the country.
Given the comparatively small and decreasing financial base of the UN in Tanzania, it is of growing importance to focus the limited resources geographically and jointly, in order to reach the maximum potential for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations with higher impact, and in keeping with the vision of “leaving no one behind”.
The region of Kigoma is the poorest region in Tanzania according to the latest national household survey from 2012, and also the only region which has experienced an increase in its relative poverty levels between 2001 and 2012. It also faces additional challenges being the largest receiver of refugees coming to Tanzania, both from Burundi and DRC. The numbers of refugees entering daily have also tripled in the last 6 months.
There is therefore the intention of the UN Country Management Team (UNCMT) to support not only the refugee population through the humanitarian response but also to increase the long-term development support to the host communities in the closest districts, in order to bridge the gap between humanitarian and development, and between refugees and the host communities. This will be done through a comprehensive and durable support to the region of Kigoma, looking at the priorities and needs of the region, and matching it with the comparative advantages of the UNCMT.
A holistic durable approach is applied to include both refugees and migrants in the region as well as the surrounding host communities. As such it links up to and supports both the Solutions Alliance initiative and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework for Tanzania.
The UN Joint Programme (JP) for Kigoma takes its base in the UNDAP II, the UN Development Assistance Plan for Tanzania, but also the Sustainable Development Goals and the Great Lakes Regional Framework strategy, as well as the Tanzania Government’s 5-year plan and the regional priorities for Kigoma.
The JP consists of the 6 themes of deforestation, youth and women’s economic empowerment, violence against women and children, education with a focus on girls and adolescent girls, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and agriculture with a focus on developing local markets.
The NUNV Community Mobilisation Officer will support the UN Area Coordinator(UNAC) in mobilizing target communities for implementation of programme activities. He/she will report directly to the UNAC daily.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of UN Area Coordinator(UNAC), the NUNV Community Mobilisation Officer will undertake the following tasks:
• Carry out community mobilization in selected communities by establishing and developing volunteer networks.
• Support the community sensitization and understanding of gender issues and the value of volunteerism and the importance of community radio aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods and ensure that the communities are fully involved in the implementation of project activities.
• Arrange Focus Group Discussions, workshops, outreach meetings with the community and select the potential volunteers for the training programmes and other project activities.
• Conduct district/village level consultation/workshops, meetings, involving community members.
• Disseminate the knowledge products and IEC materials with regard to the project activities
• Support the UN Area Coordinator and UN Coordination Specialist in full engagement and participation from the community.
• Carry out regular awareness activities in the field and conduct day time observations and other campaigns as guided by the project management
• Build a strong community forum in collaboration with NGOs and Volunteer involving Organizations, local government and other key players
• Collect data from the field on the reflections of the joint programme
• Provide inputs to the project staff on the communities’ understanding and engagement regarding the JP and help bridge information between the field and project management
• Act as a link between the community and outside agencies, both Governmental and non-Governmental, including projects, programmes and donors in the area.
• Perform any other duties as required by the project management
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 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.
Competencies
• 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.
Required Skills and Experience
College Diploma in Social Sciences, community development, communication or any other related field. Bachelor’s degree will be an added advantage.
General project management experience
Minimum of 1 years’ professional experience, prior experience in international organizations preferred
Experience with organizing and coordinating meetings, conferences and events
Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines;
Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility, responsibility, integrity, team work, self-motivate
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Fluent in both verbal and written English and Kiswahili
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);
Resident of Kigoma Region
Disclaimer
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
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