South Sudan (Republic of): UNV Information Management Assistant

UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT Preamble: 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, UNV 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, UNV 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 UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

1. UNV Assignment Title: UNV Information Management Assistant

2. Type of assignment: International UN Volunteer

3. Project Title: UNV Assistance to UNMISS, ID no. 00079362

4. Duration: Initial contract duration is dependent on arrival date during the current budget cycle, with subsequent 6 or 12-month contract extensions.

5. Location, Country: Republic of South Sudan (volunteer may be required to work anywhere in the Mission area, including in remote locations; the exact duty station will be determined upon arrival and can change in course of assignment).

6. Expected starting date: Immediate

7. Brief Project Description: Support UNMISS mandate

8. Host Agency/Host Institute: United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

9. Organizational Context: UNMISS was established in July 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)

10. Type of Assignment Place: Non Family Duty Station

11. Description of Duties: Reporting to and working under the direction of the Chief Information Management Unit (IMU) the UNV Information Management Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

    • Developing documentation to guide personnel on how to deal with audiovisual and other non-standard information assets;
    • Assisting with the periodic transfer of scheduled audiovisual records into the archives, ensuring the accuracy of transfer documentation and providing relevant assistance to the users regarding transfer preparations;
    • Accessioning, disposition, description and database updating activities as they relate to audiovisual records related projects;
    • Creating and maintaining manual and/or automated accession records and providing information to the section personnel in support of reference and archival arrangement and description activities for any non-standard audiovisual records;
    • Supporting external reference services by drafting routine responses to enquiries, including records reproduction transmittals for approval by the Section Chief; 2
    • Conducting end-user training relating to standard electronic record keeping systems within the field mission as this relates to audiovisual records;
    • Participating in maintaining the Section’s reference database for audiovisual records;
    • Assisting with external contacts in support of any capacity building efforts with archival entities in South Sudan;
    • Managing the UNMISS Exit Interview programme;
    • Managing the IMU movie screening programme highlighting human rights audiovisual recordings;
    • Performing other related duties as required or assigned by the Chief IMU. Promotion of the UN Volunteer Programme mandate1 UN volunteers are expected to integrate the UN Volunteers Programme mandate within their assignment as well as promote voluntary action through engagement with communities (urban & rural) during the course of their work. As such UN volunteers should dedicate a proportion of their working week to the following in support of and in synergy with their primary role as UNV Information Management Assistant.
    • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
    • Be 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.; initiating and/or participating in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
    • Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
    • Encouraging, mobilising and supporting co-workers, fellow UNV volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
    • Discussing with supervisors on how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed through the assignment and integrate activities that promote volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
    • Assisting with the UNV ‘buddy programme” for newly-arrived UNV volunteers. Lastly, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for training and capacity-building.

12. Results/Expected Output:

    • Guidelines and Special Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed for audiovisual records;
    • The non-standard records of UNMISS are well classified, accessible and preserved;
    • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development within your host community.

13. Profile Requirements: a) Qualifications, skills, experience:

    • Diploma in journalism or records management/archival theory with specialisation in audio-visual an advantage;
    • Technical training in relevant audiovisual operations and/or management highly desirable;
    • At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in an audiovisual environment;
    • Excellent written and spoken English;
    • Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc) and other IT applications and office technology equipment;
    • Proficiency in video editing software, e.g. Final Cut Pro;
    • Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System;
    • Sound security awareness. b) Competencies and values:
    • Integrity and professionalism: high degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities; ability to take ownership, and work independently under established procedures;
    • Accountability: ability to operate in compliance with organisational rules and regulations;
    • Planning, 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 work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
    • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
    • Communication; proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills;
    • Commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

14. Living Conditions: Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation in Juba and possibly other locations is austere and will be on shared basis. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will be shared. As the accommodation situation eases single unit accommodation should become available in all locations. Please note that the time line will vary for each location. In some locations, for example Juba and Renk it is possible to live on the economy. All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non - family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. Some degree of medical service is provided in all UNMISS duty stations. The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas that spans from April to October. Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

15. Conditions of Service: Contracts are issued, depending on budget and mission mandate, for either 6 or 12 months at a time (renewable depending on Mission mandate, operational necessity and satisfactory performance). Settling-In-Grant is provided. Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) (US$ 2,471.00 single rate, US$ 2,721.00 1 dependent rate or US$ 2,921.00 2+ dependency rate) is intended to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost -of-living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as periodic home leave, final repatriation, and resettlement allowance.

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