Ten Youth Development Specialists
Application deadline: 18 September 2008

UNV Post title: 10 National UNV volunteers – Youth Development Specialists

Programme/Project Title: Youth Social Inclusion for Civic Engagement in Ukraine

Duration of employment (dates): 1 year with possibility for extension

Duty station: Various sites throughout Ukraine (Chenigiv, Cherkassy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Rivno, Zhytomir and Kyiv oblasts and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea)

Expected starting date: 15 September 2008

Brief Project Description:
The project objective is to support youth inclusion in Ukraine and to foster democratic reforms and youth civic engagement. The project will build the capacities of youth centers, youth community organizations as well as universities and schools. Via an inclusive approach, youth will gain competencies necessary for their pro-active involvement in social and decision-making processes through the transfer of relevant knowledge. Volunteerism will be promoted and practiced as a tool for achieving local development goals, particularly those identified by youth. Capacities of volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations will be strengthened.
The project will address the issue of youth inclusion, a new concept for Ukraine, utilizing innovative approaches such as: using volunteerism as a tool for achieving local development goals; bridging the gap between young people from rural and urban areas; introducing ICT as a tool for youth social activism; and fostering inter-generational dialogue. A particular emphasis will be placed on working with marginalized, socially-excluded youth who, due to geographic, economic and/or cultural barriers, are disadvantaged in today’s Ukrainian society. The project will empower youth and increase both the number of volunteers as well as the number of meaningful volunteerism opportunities in rural and urban communities throughout Ukraine.

Host Agency: UNDP

Duties and responsibilities:
Under the supervision of National Project Manager/Capacity Development Manager, the UNV volunteer will be responsible to:
In close cooperation with the Project Team and project partners, assist with the coordination and implementation of all aspects of the Project at the local level;

Provide trainings for youth leaders, civil society organizations and local authorities on various aspects of community action and development, youth participation, etc.;

Complete the Master Trainer certification program for Intel’s “Skills for Success” and Web 2.0 technology programs and conduct trainings according to the program guidelines;

Provide support to local Youth Centers’ activities through hands-on technical assistance and advisory services;

Initiate and maintain contacts with local administrations and stakeholders to form partnerships and promote youth development and support for youth initiatives;

Facilitate implementation of youth initiatives focused on local development through participatory village development planning, local resource mobilization and support to management of local development projects;

Support youth participation and activism through awareness raising and partnerships building;

Build linkages between youth leaders and youth NGOs in different villages and encourage knowledge- and experience-sharing;
 
Liaise and serve as resource for local youth groups, NGOs and Youth Centers;

Provide regular progress reports on project progress to the management;

Collaborate with Communications/Reporting Specialist for media coverage of activities;

Participate in project events and knowledge exchange exercises;

Other duties as assigned.

Promotion of Volunteerism
As a UNV volunteer, you are expected to promote volunteerism and engaging in volunteering activities. As such you are encouraged to strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and other publications and taking active part in UNV activities and also to get acquainted with traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host community. Specific ways to promote volunteerism include:
Networking and building relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives;
Encouraging and mobilizing co-workers, fellow UNV volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in the development of their community;
Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Initiating and/or participate in local volunteer groups. Assist them in submitting stories, experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
Promoting or advising local groups in the use of OV (online volunteering), or encourage relevant local individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

Youth centers, volunteers, and local volunteer-involving organizations have improved capacities in NGO management, volunteer management, project development and implementation, fund-raising, etc.
Local public institutions (including but not limited to schools, libraries, Houses of Culture, and government offices), private businesses, and community-based organizations equipped with necessary competencies to effectively utilize volunteerism resources for the successful achievement of their goals.
Young people have necessary competencies for participation in local decision-making processes.
Regionally-based e-communities involving youth centers, schools and universities established and providing solutions to problems most important to youth.
Web-based Learning and Knowledge Transfer Hub for youth community established.
A national network of youth centers and youth community organizations expanded and strengthened.

Qualifications/Requirements:
Higher education (bachelor’s or master’s) in the field of education, psychology, social sciences or other related field;
At least 3 years work experience in the sphere of youth development, community activism, and/or local socio-economic development;
Excellent skills and experience in designing and leading trainings and seminars;
Familiarity with legal and organizational aspects of civil society development in Ukraine;
Experience working in rural areas is desirable;
Willingness to travel in-country and invest long hours to achieve concrete results;
Excellent interpersonal skills, diligence, open-mindedness and dedication;
Proactive and results-oriented;
Ability to work with a diverse, remotely-located multi-national team;
Familiarity with gender issues;
25 years of age or older.
Competencies:
Computer skills: general computer literacy, Microsoft Office or alternative software, Internet; knowledge of Web 2.0 and wiki technology desirable
Language skills: Ukrainian, Russian mandatory; knowledge of English an asset
Valid driver’s license and own vehicle an asset.