Post Title: UNHCR Project Assistant

Type of assignment: National UNV volunteer

Project Title: Protection monitoring activities and support to the asylum systems in the sub-region of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.

Duration of employment: Initially 5 months with possible extension

Location, Country: Kyiv, Ukraine

Expected Starting Date: 1 August 2010

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.

Host Agency: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Organizational Context: The National UNV volunteer will work under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Representative.

Description of Duties:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Representative, the selected candidate will performs the variety of tasks involving a wide range of contacts within UNHCR, with NGOs and Government:

•  Assist the Deputy Regional Representative in the shaping and implementation of the sub-regional activities for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, including the various European Union 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 Standards Operations Procedures, 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 Governement partners.
• Provide interpretation during meeting with partners and interlocutors for the Deputy Regional Representative.
• Perform other duties as requested.
• Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.

Results/Expected Output:

•  Sub-regional activities are well coordinated, inputs from the all countries and partners considered and activities implemented with the largest possible inclusion of all parties involved.
• Support to the Protection Unit is provided as requested.
• Correspondence is maintained and letters replied in an agreed timeframe.
• Protection monitoring activities are well coordinated and implemented according to the EU projects.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development within your host community

Qualifications/Requirements:

At least 25 years of age, University degree preferably in Law or political sciences, 2-3 years of relevant work experience.

Computer skills: Computer literacy with good knowledge of computer application.

Language skills: Excellent spoken and written skills in English; Fluency in Russian and Ukrainian.

Conditions of Service A 5-months contract with possible extension; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilitie; 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 15 July 2010 to the address below. Only successful candidates would be contacted and invited for the interview.

UNHCR Attn: Vladimir Lysenko 32-A, Sichnevogo povstannya St. Kyiv 01015 Ukraine or Fax: (044)288-9850