Area Coordination Assistant

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN (United Nations) organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both societies at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

At multi-country level, the UNV Multi-Country Field Unit (MCFU) and/or designated UNV personnel are responsible for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in the areas of peace, development and humanitarian assistance. UNV MCFUs/designated UNV personnel represent and position UNV in the respective countries with a focus on the UN Country Team, bringing UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners within a client service approach and collaborating with other stakeholders from government, civil society and private sector. As UNDP represents UNV at country level, UNV personnel are usually hosted within a UNDP Office and are accountable to the Supervisor and UNV Executive Coordinator for compliance with UNV and UNDP policies, rules and regulations. The Area Coordination Assistant will have his/her Duty Station in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

Under the general guidance of the Regional Manager, with day-to-day reporting to the MCFU Coordinator, the UN Volunteer serving as Area Coordination Assistant supports the identification, development, and cultivation of select partnerships with UN Agencies / Host Entities at country level. This includes managing the relationship with priority partners, facilitating the exchange of data and information that influence volunteer mobilization opportunities, ensuring partners’ satisfaction with volunteer services, and bridging the delivery of services from centralized functions of the volunteer management cycle. The critical purpose of this UNV assignment is the sustained mobilization of volunteers to the designated partners (clients) while upholding the duty of care for serving volunteers. The role involves regular contact and liaison with counterpart UN personnel at all levels, including senior level staff. Within UNV, all personnel are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 1. Assist in mobilizing volunteers and developing and maintaining partnerships - Support the mobilization of UN Volunteers and follow up on partnership opportunities with UN entities in the assigned area. - Share your own experience as a UN Volunteer to highlight UNV’s mandate, key offers, and the added value of volunteer assignments. - Provide the MCFU coordinator with relevant data, feedback, and business intelligence to track progress and improve service delivery. - Record mobilization opportunities in UNV’s Client Relationship Management (CRM) system and help document entry points to increase volunteer assignments. - Collect and share information on UN programming frameworks (e.g., UNSDCF, ERPs, agency country programmes), as well as changes in the broader operating environment such as government priorities, donor commitments, or crisis response. - Contribute to developing tailored initiatives and offers that respond to partners’ needs for volunteer services. - Support the preparation of presentations, mapping, and key messages to highlight opportunities for volunteerism. - Serve as focal point for online volunteering (OV) in coordination with the Regional Office, supporting host entities to create OV opportunities and promoting the concept of online volunteering. - Assist in identifying volunteer placement opportunities and in preparing descriptions of assignments with partner agencies. 2. Support talent acquisition and outreach - Provide support in attracting qualified local talent in line with the country’s demand forecast and agreed talent acquisition priorities, under the guidance of the Operations Analyst, Talent Acquisition in the Regional Office. - Assist in identifying the most effective channels for attracting local talent for potential UNV assignments. - Support the MCFU coordinator and UN partners in advocacy and talent outreach campaigns, promotional presentations with Host Entities, and engagement with local volunteer organizations, including by sharing your personal experience as a UN Volunteer. - Contribute to the organization of advocacy campaigns and key events that raise awareness and foster engagement. - Support the MCFU coordinator in ensuring timely and effective selection processes for UN Volunteer assignments. 3. Support volunteer experience and duty of care - As a fellow UN Volunteer, assist with onboarding to ensure volunteers receive timely information, resources, and a smooth start to their assignments. - Provide support throughout the volunteer management cycle, responding to inquiries, sharing updates, and escalating concerns as needed to ensure a positive and inclusive experience. - Help gather and compile volunteer feedback; contribute to and participate in appreciation initiatives and local events that foster engagement and belonging. - Support relationships with host entities by sharing information on volunteer roles, assisting with coordination tasks, and helping ensure effective integration of volunteers. - Contribute to duty of care by liaising with security focal points, supporting emergency headcounts, and assisting volunteers during medical evacuations in line with UNV procedures. - Provide tailored support to volunteers facing language or integration challenges, ensuring they can access information and navigate their assignment environment. - Share information, including personal experience, with host entities and volunteers on UNV’s enabling instruments for health and wellbeing, including insurance and related benefits. - Backstop other functions in the MCFU during peak periods or staff absences, helping ensure continuity of support and care for volunteers.