Background
UNICEF is a UN agency mandated to promote the protection of children’s rights, including the right to education, and has been working in Turkey for more than 60 years. UNICEF works to achieve 5 goal areas, including Goal 2: Every Child Learns, using 8 change strategies, as well as utilizing the power of evidence to drive change for children. In line with this goal and strategy, UNICEF Turkey’s Education Section works to support the Government of Turkey in delivering quality inclusive education to all children, including to the 1.7 million Syrian children under temporary protection. To that end, the generation of quality data and evidence to support and advocate for best practices in education is a critical pillar of the UNICEF Education Section’s work in Turkey.
This UNV assignment is designed to support the knowledge management and strategic planning work of the Education Section and to provide programmatic and technical support at the country office level to the UNICEF Turkey Education Programme. This UNV position will focus on tasks related to knowledge management, programme coordination, technical support, and contribution and grant management.
UNICEF is a UN agency mandated to promote the protection of children’s rights, including the right to education, and has been working in Turkey for more than 60 years. UNICEF works to achieve 5 goal areas, including Goal 2: Every Child Learns, using 8 change strategies, as well as utilizing the power of evidence to drive change for children. In line with this goal and strategy, UNICEF Turkey’s Education Section works to support the Government of Turkey in delivering quality inclusive education to all children, including to the 1.7 million Syrian children under temporary protection. To that end, the generation of quality data and evidence to support and advocate for best practices in education is a critical pillar of the UNICEF Education Section’s work in Turkey.
This UNV assignment is designed to support the knowledge management and strategic planning work of the Education Section and to provide programmatic and technical support at the country office level to the UNICEF Turkey Education Programme. This UNV position will focus on tasks related to knowledge management, programme coordination, technical support, and contribution and grant management.
Living Conditions:
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul with the population of 4.5 million people. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the seat of the Turkish government and houses all foreign embassies. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks. Visas are required for entry into Turkey. It is therefore strongly recommended to check with the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate before traveling (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-informationforforeigners.en.mfa). Nationals of EU member states and a limited number of nations are eligible for visas-on-arrival at international air termini and certain border crossing points.
- Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. The public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations and its staff in Turkey.
- Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English.
- Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more expensive. Some UN Volunteers opt for house sharing. Upon arrival, UN Volunteers will reside in a hotel until they find permanent housing. UNV Field Unit can provide assistance to UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing.
- Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise very affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as are many services.
- Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses called “dolmuş” to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited in the scope. Weather: The city has a mean elevation of 938 metres. It has cold, often snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Because of Ankara’s high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months can be cool.
- Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less commonly in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, few Turkish words are useful. There are Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara.
Duties and Responsibilities
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Education Specialist (P-3) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Knowledge Management Education Assistant will:
- Organize data and information, prepare, maintain and share records and documents for the knowledge management of the education section (including on out-of-school children) for effective programme implementation and programme coordination;
- Collect and tabulate data and provide technical inputs to ensure that section objectives are achieved. Contribute to the development and/or introduction and documentation of new approaches, methods and practices of programme development and implementation;
- Contribute to the preparation of reports, project documents and submissions by providing information, generating and analyzing funding reports, preparing tables and drafting routine sections of documents; and
- Any other related tasks as may be required or as assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities;
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNVpublications/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:
- As an active UNICEF team member, provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including the provision of:
- Meeting minutes, records, documents, studies
- Technical inputs for reports, project documents and submissions
- Collection and analysis of funding reports and education-related data
- Inputs to knowledge management strategies and structures
- An Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Competencies
- Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
- Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
- Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
- Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
- Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
- Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
- Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
- Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Required Skills and Experience
- At least 22 years of age;
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, e.g. education or related discipline;
- At least 1-2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in education or other relevant programmes is considered an asset, as is experience working in the UN or with another international development organization;
- Excellent oral and written skills in English and Turkish; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Arabic language skills would be an asset
- Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
- Sound security awareness;
- Have affinity with or interest in children’s rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
Disclaimer
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.
A contract for 24 months duration with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of approximately TRY 3,949.83 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
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