Mission and objectives

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, 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 themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Context

Papua New Guinea is one of the UNV programme countries under Asia and the Pacific region. There is no UNV field unit yet in Papua New Guinea, and the position will be stationed within UNDP office in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. In 2024 (as of December), 21 UN Volunteers (international and national) served with various UN agencies. There are notable potentials to increase UN Volunteers mobilization in the country. UNV contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through engaging UNV volunteers and promoting volunteerism at national and sub-national level. The position is envisaged to support the volunteer management, volunteer mobilization within UN agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs along with increasing talent pool efforts in the country. The position is expected to deliver smooth processes of UN Volunteer recruitments, repatriations along with onboarding, inductions, extensions, day-to-day volunteer management, coordination with the UN agencies, UN volunteers ensuring close coordination with UNV Regional Office and HQ.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Portfolio Specialist, Programme Assistant will deliver the following tasks: • Establish strong partnerships with the UN agencies and create opportunities for increasing UN Volunteer mobilization for Papua New Guinea • Ensure comprehensive outreach and advocacy with the UN partners through regular in-person/online meetings, responding to the agencies’ queries, exploring new partnership opportunities to increase diversified UN Volunteers mobilization. • Provide all relevant support to the serving UN Volunteers and respond to their queries and maintain excellent coordination with UN Volunteers and host entities for their wellbeing. • Support to UNV mobilization by close coordination and follow-up with the agencies and partners following the guidance Regional Portfolio Specialist • Complete tasks the pertinent steps of day-to-day UNV recruitment processes, onboarding, repatriation, extensions and HR actions on UVP in close liaison with the host entities, VSC/VSS and Regional Portfolio Specialist • Conduct pre-and post-arrival arrangements of UN Volunteers including pre-departure allowances/Settle-in-Grants, hotel booking, arranging inductions, and other pertinent issues for national and International Volunteers • Conduct induction for the new UN Volunteers, providing support to necessary administrative and operational support to the new UN Volunteers i.e., introducing buddy system, liaising with VSC, and other pertinent issues. • Provide necessary support to online and onsite volunteer mobilization with regular coordination with the agencies, Govt counterparts, and other key stakeholders following the guidance Regional Portfolio Specialist • Arrange Talent Acquisition sessions for increasing talent pool together with RO TA team, observance of International Volunteer Day and advocacy initiatives following the guidance of UNV Regional Office. • Provide support to the Regional Portfolio Specialist for coordination with the partners, arranging meetings, research works, arranging UNV missions, policy works on volunteerism, and improving documentation. • Support to liaise with country of recruitment on logistical/travel/financial arrangements for international UN Volunteer recruitment. • Provide necessary support to FU personnel with travel, visa arrangements, procurement, and payment issues. • Maintain volunteer files, partners’, and volunteers’ database, and build an efficient documentation system. • Maintain the files on UNV assets, repairing of ICT stuff and keep tracking on UNV furniture and other goods, if any • Perform quantum and UVP role as guided by UNV. • Perform any other duties as guided by supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities. • 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. Results/Expected Outputs • Efficient and quality UN Volunteer recruitment, volunteer mobilization, volunteer management mechanism is in place. • Increased diversified volunteer mobilization in the country. • Improved and smart documentation, coordination, feedback techniques are practised. • Competent volunteer management system is ensured • Quality volunteer support (including entitlements, procurements, UVP support, volunteer queries) is practised. • Improved coordination with the UN agencies, partners and UN Volunteers • Increased talent pool in PNG, to meet the demands of the agencies • Improved image of UNV on volunteer management/agency partnerships, HR, procurement (if any), and pertinent activities

Competencies and values

• Integrity Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Working with teams • Communication • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity

Living conditions and remarks

Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern part of the Island of New Guinea – the world’s second largest island – and its offshore islands in Melanesia. It is unique in many respects: linguistically, it is the world’s most diverse country, with more than 700 native tongues. PNG provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as a relatively high level of stamina and commitment to make life comfortable and affordable. Port Moresby is the capital of PNG and is the largest city in the Pacific Islands outside of Australia and New Zealand. It is located on the south-eastern coast of the Papuan peninsula on the shores of the Gulf of Papua. The city’s official population according to the PNG National Statistical Office is 364,125, but it is believed to be double that figure. The expansion of the PNG economy – thanks to a thriving extractive industry – became the trigger for the growth of Port Moresby. Successive national governments and municipal authorities rolled out modern facilities, complimenting increased investment in property development by the private sector. Today Port Moresby’s skyline has evolved from low-set buildings to multi-storeyed apartment blocks. Security Advisory: UN travellers to/in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville are advised to exercise a high degree of caution. Crime rates are high, particularly in the capital and in the large cities. Violent carjacking, street robberies, house breaking, violence against women and sexual assaults frequently occur. All travel at night must be made by vehicle. Tribal conflicts, riots and looting are frequent in the Highlands provinces. Agencies undertaking visits to the highlands must take special security arrangements including protection team in certain areas. Security arrangements have to be detailed when submitting the clearance. Health and medical services. Malaria is endemic in all areas. Dengue fever is also common in coastal towns, including Port Moresby. Tuberculosis is common. HIV/AIDS and other STDs are also present. PNG only offers basic medical facilities and you should ensure you discuss all possible vaccinations and other preventative measures recommended for Papua New Guinea with your primary care physician prior to leaving your home country. Social issues: Despite Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) economic boom led by extractive industries, almost 40 percent of the country’s population lives in poverty. Gender inequality, violence, corruption at all levels, excessive use of force by Police and domestic violence continue to affect PNG citizens. Rates of family and sexual violence are among the highest in the world. Road and traffic conditions are poor; as such accidents are likely, with only limited emergency response services available. Accommodation: The accommodation rates in PNG is incomparable with most other cities in the world as it is very costly. Groceries: There are a number of supermarkets and grocery shops stocking a diverse range of products but mainly influenced by the city’s trade with East Asian countries, America, India, Australia and New Zealand. They also have provision for people with special dietary requirements. Visas: All foreign visitors to PNG require a visa to enter. They will not be issued at the airport. Transit visas always are required for transit through Australia, even if remaining in the international transit area for a few hours. Currency: PNG’s currency is the Kina. Electricity: The electricity current in PNG is 240V AC 50Hz using Australian-style plugs.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements