Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is 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, UNV 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, UNV 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 UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

1. UNV Post Title: Regional Protection Assistant

2. Type of assignment (International or National UNV volunteer): National UNV volunteer

3. Project Title: Local Settlement of refugees in Ukraine
  
4. Duration: Initially 3 months with possible extension  

5. Location, Country: Kyiv, Ukraine  

6. Expected starting date: 1 October 2009 

7. Brief Project Description: UNHCR seeks to strengthen national asylum systems and safeguard asylum in the broader migration context through dynamic partnerships with the European Union, national governments and NGOs. 

8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNHCR 

9. Organizational Context: Under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Representative performs the variety of tasks involving a wide range of contacts within UNHCR, with NGOs and Government 

10. Type of assignment place: assignment with family

11. Description of Duties:

• Assist the Deputy Regional Representative in the shaping and implementation of the sub-regional activities for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, including the various EU funded projects.
• Assist in the coordination of cross-border activities and projects carried out by different partner organizations/NGOs in the sub-region and in the region;
• Collect information on the regional and sub-regional events which have a bearing on UNHCR’s Mandate.
• Conduct profiling of groups of asylum seekers and refugees currently assisted by UNHCR partners and, where necessary, highlight cases for referral to resettlement colleagues
• Support the Protection Unit in Kyiv in implementation of the Reception SOPs, through receiving visits and calls from asylum seekers, refugees and others
• Assist in compiling and consolidating background and briefing material as well as reports;
• Assist in maintaining contacts with NGOs which require regional focus and coordination;
• Assist in the preparation and follow-up of coordination meetings and missions in the sub-region;
• Assist in drafting routine correspondence to NGOs and governmental partners on issues on relevance;
• Assist in translating correspondence and relevant reports from NGOs and Gov. partners
• Provide interpretation during meeting with partners and interlocutors for the Deputy Regional Representative;
• Perform other duties as requested.

Furthermore, UNV volunteers are encouraged to: 

• Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
• Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers;
• Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

12. Results/Expected Output:
 

• Sub-regional activities are implemented with consensus of all parties involved.
• Cross-border and Local integration activities are well coordinated and implemented according to the EC contracts.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development within your host community

13. Qualifications/Requirements:

At least 21 years of age, University degree preferably in Law or political sciences, 1-2 years of relevant work experience

14. Competencies:

• Computer skills: Computer literacy with good knowledge of computer application.
• Language skills: Excellent spoken and written skills in English; Fluency in Russian and Ukrainian.

15. Living Conditions:

Security phase is 0.

16. Conditions of Service

A 3-month contract with possible extension; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to UAH 1.231; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
 

Applicants of Ukrainian nationality only should send their curriculum vitae in English by 21 September 2009 to the address below. Only successful candidates would be contacted and invited for the interview.

UNHCR
Attn: Vladimir Lysenko
32-A, Ivana Mazepy St.
Kyiv 01015 Ukraine
or by e-mail: [email protected],or fax: 288-9850