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, UN 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, UN 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 UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

1. UNV Assignment Title:

2. Type of Assignment: 3. UNV Programme Strategy:

Humanitarian Response officer National UN Volunteer (Specialist)/01/ Crisis Prevention and Recovery disaster prevention and risk reduction, humanitarian assistance Delivering high quality RH services and preventing GBV in humanitarian situations in Bangladesh Initially for one (1) year Dhaka, Bangladesh 1 November 2012

4. Project Title:

5. Duration: 6. Location, Country: 7. Expected Starting Date:

8. Brief Project Description: Bangladesh is a country highly vulnerable to an array of natural disasters, including the impact of floods caused by torrential rains and storm surges, and of cyclones in the coastal areas. During natural disasters, women and girls are particularly vulnerable. Their reproductive health needs are often overlooked during the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster. Moreover, pregnant women are even more vulnerable during that time. In addition, gender-based violence tends to increase during the aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster. UNFPA, as the lead agency for reproductive health information and services, and co-lead for the prevention of gender-based violence, has been working with the government of Bangladesh and key civil society partners to develop the capacity to deliver high-quality reproductive health and safe motherhood services, and GBV prevention programmes after a natural disaster. In addition, UNFPA has started the pre-positioning of essential supplies in flood-prone areas of the country in order to be able to quickly deliver goods and services. The incumbent will coordinate UNFPAs preparedness and response to natural or man-made disasters. S/he will be located in the UNFPA head office in Dhaka.

9. Host Agency/Host Institute:

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

10. Organizational Context: The Humanitarian Response Officer will frequently interact with partner UN agencies and their humanitarian focal points, government officials, particularly in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and local and international civil society organizations, engaged in humanitarian responses. The incumbent will be working as part of the Reproductive Health Team in the UNFPA head office in Dhaka. This team consists of both technical and programme staff and is led by the Chief-Reproductive Health (international). Moreover, the incumbent will have frequent interactions with the Gender Team, located in a satellite office in Dhaka, which is led by the ChiefGender (national). 11. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment with family. 12. Description of tasks: Under the direct supervision of the Chief-Reproductive Health, and working under close coordination with the Chief-Gender, the Humanitarian Response Officer will undertake the following tasks: Participate in emergency and humanitarian meetings/forums that discuss and agree on inter-agency coordination and policy development that involve key UN and non-UN humanitarian partners often organized and/or chaired by the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the UN (OCHA); Build partnerships for channeling resources and UNFPA assistance through relevant agencies and organizations that deliver emergency relief programmes. These include United Nations organizations, such as UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, and international and local nongovernmental organizations; Participate actively in the emergency preparedness through United Nations Country Team (UNCT) contingency planning processes to ensure incorporation of ICPD priority issues, especially RH, HIV/AIDS, youth and gender; Enhance UNFPAs participation in the development of Consolidated Humanitarian Action Plans (CHAPs) and the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAPs), as well as in transition and recovery frameworks; In times of crises, fully participate in emergency and humanitarian coordination mechanisms and working groups for rapid response and for submission of UNFPA proposals for utilization of rapid response fund; Work closely with UNFPA CO, particularly in the implementation of the sub-regional humanitarian contingency plans, and play a leading role in reproductive health related assistance, including provision of reproductive health information for repatriated refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs); As requested by the CO, conduct pre-assessment, monitoring and evaluation missions to inform strategic approaches, as well as review and comment on sub-offices reports; Build capacity of sub-offices and their partners, especially in developing project proposals for rapid response funds (for example, CERF); and Perform any other functions as may be requested by the UNFPA senior management. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:

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 IVD); Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/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.

13. Results/Expected Output: Increased visibility of UNFPA in humanitarian preparedness and response. Increased capacity of UNFPA-Bangladesh to effectively support initiatives and/or programmes that respond to womens and girls reproductive health needs in the aftermath of a disaster. Increased capacity of UNFPA to support programmes that aim at the prevention of GBV in the aftermath of a disaster. Contributed to and advocated for volunteerism in Bangladesh in emergency or humanitarian crisis situations. At least two activities completed during assignment in advocating, integrating and/or mobilizing volunteers as part of the assignment and participation in UNV activities and events 14. Qualifications/Requirements: A solid academic background at the post-graduate level (Master degree) preferably in social sciences, gender or womens studies, international development studies or other relevant field; At least three (3) years of experience in emergency and/or humanitarian affairs or a related area. At least some field experience in complex emergencies, including humanitarian emergency response, preferably on matters relating to Gender Based Violence, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS; Excellent knowledge of using MS Office package and related software programmes; Excellent knowledge of English and Bengali, both written and oral comprehension; Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds. Competencies: Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

 Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations; 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; 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 multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; Communication: proven interpersonal skills; 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 and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values. 15. Living Conditions: Dhaka is the centre of political, cultural and economic life in Bangladesh. Although its urban infrastructure is the most developed in the country, Dhaka suffers from urban problems such as pollution and overpopulation. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen modernisation of transport, communications and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation, this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest growing cities in the world. 16. Conditions of Service A 12 month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to BDT 25,585 to cover housing, basic needs and utilities settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. All National UN Volunteers are required to follow the Revised National UN Volunteer Conditions of Service effective as of July 2012.