Mission and objectives

The UN Development Programme is the lead UN agency fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in more than 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. In the Pacific, UNDP provides regional and country support to ten countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) and regional support to five countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tokelau), together with a total population of 2.4 million. UNDP seeks to target the most vulnerable i.e. people experiencing hardship, the marginalized living in remote rural areas, those who are vulnerable to climate and disaster risks, as well as women and youth excluded from socio-political and economic participation. UNDP adheres to an inclusive, pro-poor and human rights-based approaches that leverage cross-practice, multi-disciplinary expertise of UNDP.

Context

The Nauru Accountable and Inclusive Governance (NAIG) Project aims to support key democratic institutions in Nauru which are responsible for ensuring effective, inclusive and accountable political governance, namely the National Parliament and the National Elections Commission (NEC), while at the same time implementing specific programming directed at promoting the more informed and active participation of the general public in Nauruan governance and politics, and targeted work to promote gender equality ensure that women of all ages are more engaged in politics and public life. There are three branches of government in Nauru – the executive, legislature and judiciary; this Project seeks to improve the functioning of the legislative branch, not just through direct capacity building of the National Parliament, but also by working with the NEC, which is the body responsible for ensuring the free and fair election of members of the legislative branch, as well as with the public (with a particular focus on women and young people) who are responsible for choosing who sits in the legislature and holding them accountable.

Task Description

Under the guidance of the UNDP Project Manager (PM), the Nauru Accountable and Inclusive Governance Assistant will undertake the following scope of works: • Support the PM to ensure successful project delivery and implementation of the Nauru Accountable and Inclusive Governance • Support the PM to monitor project activities to track progress and ensure timely completion of milestones • Organize meetings and workshops related to the project, bringing together relevant stakeholders • Support regular meetings with key justice stakeholders to discuss project initiatives and prioritize areas of focus • Assist in the identification and management of potential risks or challenges to the project’s success • Receive day-to-day supervision and local context expertise from the Project Manager. • Receive strategic oversight support from specialists based in Suva, Fiji, to ensure effective coordination and utilization of regional expertise • Maintain effective communication channels with project team members, stakeholders, and partners • Compile reports, documentation, and data related to project activities and progress for reporting purposes • Contribute to the overall project management, ensuring adherence to timelines, budget, and project objectives

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of Nauru is an island nation in the Micronesian South Pacific 42 km (26 mi.), south of the Equator. The nearest neighbor is Banaba Island in the Republic of Kiribati, 300 km due east. It is the smallest island nation in Oceania with an estimated population of 11.000. ² It is the smallest independent republic with a parliamentary system in place in the district Yaren. Nauru is one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean. Phosphate mining in the central plateau has left a barren terrain of jagged, prehistoric coral pinnacles, up to 15 meters (49 ft.) high. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of “secondary phosphate” in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years, but the rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are much longer term problems. The island is surrounded by a coral reef, exposed at low tide and dotted with pinnacles. A 150–300 m (about 500 –1000 ft.) wide fertile coastal strip lies landward from the beach. The island’s only fertile areas are within this narrow coastal belt and the land surrounding the inland Buada lagoon on the central plateau, where there are coco nut palms, pandanus trees, and indigenous hardwoods, bananas, pineapples and some vegetables crops. Some secondary vegetation has begun to cover the scarred central plateau and its coral pinnacles. Coral cliffs surround the central plateau. The highest point of the plateau is 65 m (213 ft.) above sea level. Although Nauru has a nominal per capita GDP in excess of $2,700, its economy is in deep crisis, and the resumption of mining promises only a limited respite. The country seeks alternatives to find a sustainable economic future. Nauru imports over 90% of its food and other basic goods. The private sector is very small and employs less than 300 people. Women make up more than 50% of the population and close to 46.7% of the working population. UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of allowances for UN Volunteers is to enable them to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. Monthly Living Allowance: AUD 1735.08 Entry Lump Sum: USD 400 Medical and life insurance (Cigna) Leave entitlements (annual leave, sick leave, learning leave, maternity/ paternity leave – details can be found in the Conditions of Service: https://explore.unv.org/cos) Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources Exit Lump Sum: AUD 180.74 for each month served, paid on completion of contract