Background

Organizational context and brief project description:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. Equity accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Living Conditions:

The National Youth Volunteer will live and work in Ankara, Turkey. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul. Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is where the Turkish Parliament, Turkish Armed Forces General Staff, ministries and foreign embassies are located. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks.

• Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city. Public transportation is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations staff in Turkey.
• Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English.
• Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although certain locations close to foreign embassies and area where UNDP Turkey CO is located tends to be more expensive. Upon arrival, UN Volunteers will reside in a hotel until they find permanent housing. UNV Field Unit may help UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing.
• Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as there are various types of services.
• Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited.
• Weather: The city is cold, often snowy during winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry during summers.
• Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less common in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, knowing basic Turkish can be useful. There are variety of Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of tasks:

Under the supervision of the Communication for Development Officer, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following functions:

• Actively participate in design, development and implementation of diverse C4D activities/materials/interventions at Turkey Country Office (TCO).
• Provide technical and operational support to implementing partners in regards with C4D strategies.
• Contribute to advocacy, networking and partnership building with potential stakeholders, and coordination among existing partners.
• Conduct in-depth data analysis and C4D reporting in regards with ongoing implementations.
• Document gaps, success stories, potential partners in terms of the field of C4D in Turkey and in the region.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.  
• 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 outputs:

• Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to C4D-related results carried out by UNICEF.
• Increased understanding and use of C4D within UNICEF community and amongst UNICEF partners, and increased integration within programmatic areas related to C4D.
• Developed C4D strategies, reports and/or documents.
• 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.

Competencies

• Diversity and inclusion: Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible.
• Integrity: Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority.
• Commitment: Demonstrates commitment to UNICEF’s mission and to the wider UN system; demonstrates the values of UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours; seeks out new challenges, assignments and responsibilities; promotes UNICEF’s cause.
• Communication: Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way.
• Working with people: Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well.
• Drive for results: Sets high standards for quality of work; monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm.
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications/requirements:

Required Degree Level: Bachelor's degree

Education, qualifications, skills, experience, areas of expertise:

• Type of degree: Social sciences, social services or public health

• Years of work experience: 2 years of working experience, preferably in a field related to social and behavior change.

Area of expertise requirement:

• Communication; experience with development, social change and implementation of communication strategies;
• Proven profound knowledge in a relevant field (i.e: Child Protection, Education, Social Policy, Communication, Social Work, Media & Communication, Social Sciences, Child Rights, Participatory Communication)
• Experience in the areas of Capacity building and/or Monitoring would be a plus.
• Familiarity with development field and UN system would be a plus.
• Proficiency in English.
• Experience in research and documenting-report preparation would be an asset.

Driving license required: No

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.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.

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 TRY 3,949.83 (amount and currency of payment) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Well-being Differential of 15% (WBD-A) or 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.