National UN Community Volunteer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone is dedicated to supporting the United Nations system through an integrated approach that emphasizes a people-first methodology. The organization operates under the guiding principle of 'leave no one behind' and employs a human rights- and area-based development strategy. Established to align with the 2030 Agenda and the National Development Plan, UNDP aims to reduce multidimensional poverty while enhancing justice, peace, social cohesion, and resilience. The organization focuses on two main pillars: promoting people-centred sustainable development and resilience, and fostering inclusive governance, peace, and prosperity. UNDP leverages global and regional partnerships to work across economic, social, and environmental goals, strengthening good governance and providing technical and policy-oriented support while ensuring national ownership for sustainable outcomes.

Job Overview:
The National UN Community Volunteer position is designed to enhance the capacity of implementing partners in results-based management, evaluation, and adherence to social and environmental standards, ultimately optimizing development outcomes. The role is crucial for strengthening local ownership, enhancing responsiveness to community needs, and promoting efficient project intervention delivery. The selected volunteers will serve as vital links between district authorities and the UNDP project team, ensuring smooth information flow, timely feedback, and alignment of activities with local priorities. They will facilitate community mobilization, awareness-raising, and stakeholder engagement in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Team and its implementing partners. The position requires deployment across six districts in Sierra Leone, where the volunteers will engage with local communities and stakeholders to ensure their involvement throughout the project lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The district Community Coordinator will maintain a strong interface with community structures, partners, and other project staff to ensure improved, expanded, and sustainable project activities in targeted communities. Key responsibilities include: serving as the primary liaison between the UNDP project team and local authorities; facilitating communication and collaboration among project stakeholders; actively participating in resolving social issues that arise during project implementation; engaging with local communities to ensure their involvement; addressing stakeholder concerns and reporting feedback to district councils and UNDP; conducting onsite monitoring and verification of initiatives; collecting and analyzing data to inform evidence-based decision-making; supporting needs assessments and baseline studies; administering surveys and participatory assessments; collecting quantitative and qualitative data to measure project impact; drafting reports and success stories; and providing support to evaluators during data collection.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate strong accountability, adaptability, creativity, judgment, decision-making, planning, organizing, professionalism, and self-management skills. They should possess the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and facilitate community participation in project activities. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for drafting reports and engaging with community members and authorities.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a secondary school education is required, with preference given to candidates who have completed higher education or possess relevant certifications in social sciences, community development, or related fields. Training in project management or community engagement methodologies would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have prior experience in community engagement, project implementation, or volunteer work, particularly in a development context. Experience working with local communities, government entities, or non-governmental organizations is highly desirable. Familiarity with results-based management and monitoring and evaluation processes will be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of UNDP. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the districts of deployment would be an asset, facilitating better communication and engagement with community members.

Additional Notes:
The position is a volunteer role, and while it may not offer a traditional salary, it provides valuable experience in community development and project management. The role is full-time and requires a commitment to work in various districts, which may involve travel to rural and remote areas. Candidates should be prepared for the living conditions in these areas, which may vary in terms of access to basic services and infrastructure.