VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT UNDP LESOTHO

Background
	In its efforts to support the Government of Lesotho to achieve its national priorities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing a number of interventions aimed at achieving the following Lesotho United Nations Development Assistance Plan (LUNDAP) outcomes: By 2017, public and private institutions promote increased investments, manufacturing, trade and financial services and create decent employment in an inclusive and sustainable manner; By 2017, national and local governance structures deliver quality and accessible services to all citizens respecting the protection of human rights & access to justice, and peaceful resolution of conflict; By 2017, national and lower-level institutions make evidence-based policy decisions and; By 2017, Lesotho adopts environmental management practices that promote a low-carbon climate-resilient economy and society, sustainably manages natural resources and reduces vulnerability to disasters. In order to achieve the above-mentioned outcomes, UNDP is providing technical support and capacity building focusing on three thematic area with issues of gender, youth, and HIV/AID as cross-cutting Acceleration of Economic Growth - The aim is to support the economy to be more resilient to external shocks and volatility through generation of inclusive employment. UNDP aims to facilitate private sector development and engagement with focus on growing medium-sized, small and micro enterprises based on access to technical and vocational skills as well as targeted financial products from micro finance institutions. Sound Environmental Management for Sustainable Development  - UNDP assistance emphasizes three inter-locking issues that will enable adaptation to climate change and increase resilience – a low-carbon economy, conservation of natural resources to secure livelihoods and production, and better management of risks related to natural disasters. Good Governance and Accountable Institutions – The aim is to boost institutional leadership, performance and accountability, citizen participation and mechanisms for maintaining social peace, targeting core democratic institutions such as the Independent Electoral Commission, Officer of the Ombudsman, Parliament, Human Rights Unit and Ministries critical to policy and institutional reform. UNDP contribution in above-mentioned areas is through projects implemented by Government Ministries and local communities, and there is a wealth of knowledge and lessons learnt from these projects. Therefore, it is important that these experiences are documented and disseminated in order to ensure awareness raising and replication to other parts of the country.
	Duties and Responsibilities
	Under the overall supervision of the DRR and in collaboration with UN Communications Group (UNCG), the Communications Volunteer will assist in the development and implementation of the UNDP Lesotho Communications Strategy and the work of the UNDP Country Office and the UNCG Annual Work and support the UNDP in its outreach activities, will primarily assist and support in the following areas, in addition to any other duties as may be assigned: UNDP Communications Support UNDP’s contribution in the implementation of the UN System in Lesotho Communications strategy as well as the activities around UN System public events based on information collected from UN Agencies programme staff; Assist in the preparation for meetings of the UNDP, take minutes and ensure follow up on decisions. Identify a document best practices from UNDP’s work and partners in areas of relevance to the ensure their dissemination. Under the guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) and UNDP Sustainable Development Specialist (SDS) and, in collaboration with, E&E unit projects and UN Agencies communication and program staff, prepare a publication on the work of the UN/DP in Lesotho; collect information, visual material and prepare the publication. Under the guidance of the DRR and SDS, support UNDP Lesotho presence in electronic media (internet, facebook, twitter) in accordance with UN/DP procedures. Provide support to effective advocacy of UNDP activities in close consultation with various Units and to the UN in close collaboration with the UNCG and the information / communication focal points of the UN system; Draft speeches and press releases for UNDP advocacy events. Prepare public information materials as requested and of information to be presented for press conferences, presentations, Newsletters and other publications. Liaison with project staff on UNDP initiatives on communications-related issues; Support in youth outreach partnerships and applying innovation technologies in UNDP programming. Develop and maintain the UNDP Web-Site including project websites and portals. Support various unit projects with information management Support to Delivering as One ICT Unit with functioning of the electronic Management Information System. Perform other duties as required and mutually agreed. Learning expectations Learning and development are a central part of the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment and take place before, during and after his or her assignment in the field. Ideally, offering diverse opportunities for learning and development aim to strengthen the volunteer’s skills and competences, improve the quality of the assignment and keep the volunteer’s motivation high. Learning elements for the UN Volunteer include the development of: Professional skills: including specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abilities; and on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview skills, CV preparation, job searching. Inter-personal skills: including communication and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management. Beyond the learning opportunities provided by UNV, host agencies are expected to support knowledge and capacity development in the technical areas that are relevant to the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment. Host agencies are also expected to provide, at their expense, UN Youth Volunteers with equal opportunity to participate in training courses and workshops offered to the MORE AND APPLY