Description of assignment title
Programme Associate
Assignment country
Bulgaria
Expected start date
01/01/2025
Advertisement end date
08/12/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNHCR Bulgaria
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Sofia
Mission and objectives
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
Context
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is a global organization protecting people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We work in over 130 countries, helping millions of people with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights, and helping them build a better future (see www.unhcr.org).
Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 2.8 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria and until the end of February 2024, the Government of Bulgaria has granted Temporary Protection to more than 197,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, of whom the majority are women and children. The Council of Ministers has formed a Task Force for the Ukrainian Refugee Response, focusing on inter-ministerial coordination.
UNHCR under its mandate leads and coordinates the Inter-Agency refugee response for the Ukraine Situation, in alignment with the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine Situation (RRP) – co-leading with and in support of the Government. Under the Refugee Coordination Mechanism, UNHCR has established the national refugee coordination forum – along with an inter-agency Cash Working Group (led by UNHCR), an Education Working Group (led by UNICEF), a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group (led by WHO), a Protection and Inclusion Working Group (led by UNHCR), a Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network (co-led by UNHCR, UNICEF and a local organization) which fall under the inter-agency refugee coordination mechanism. There are currently 19 partners involved in the Refugee Response Plan for 2024.
Additionally, Bulgaria as an external EU border, plays a strategic role in refugee protection within Europe. In 2024, Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered over 9,000 asylum seekers as of September, most from Syria and Afghanistan, which have exceeded the asylum application numbers from 2022. SAR operates six reception centers for the registration, Refugee Status Determination procedures and accommodation of asylum seekers. Amid an increase in arrivals of Afghan and Syrian asylum seekers since 2022, UNHCR supports Bulgaria’s Government to ensure policies and legislation are in line with international and EU standards, and promotes a comprehensive refugee response, grounded in a multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society approach.
UNHCR supports government-led efforts to provide key protection – including legal assistance, information on services, education and psychosocial support – reception and accommodation, as well as the delivery of core relief items for winterization and cash assistance for the most vulnerable groups. UNHCR’s priority protection interventions include access to territory and asylum procedures, inclusion of refugees in state-led programs, Child Protection and Gender Based Violence prevention, risk mitigation and response, support to persons with specific needs, and mitigation of the risks relating to trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation.
Task description
Under the supervision of the Operations Officer, the incumbent will assist UNHCR’s processes in the areas of project management and planning with the aim of ensuring timely progress. The incumbent will support coordination with stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements. S/he is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Programme Handbook, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.
Programme Associate will perform the following tasks:
• Provide administrative assistance and support in regular Programme processes and activities within the Operations/Programme unit.
• Support processes carried out by senior Programme and Operations staff to ensure Partnership Agreements are established and managed in a timely manner,
• Assist senior Programme, Operations and other UNHCR staff to ensure direct implementation of UNHCR activities is carried out effectively through participation in regular monitoring and assisting with administrative implementation requirements.
• Contribute to monitoring activities implemented through partnerships with Non-Governmental Organizations, Community-led Organizations and those under direct implementation in line with the Programme Handbook and programming instructions.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Required experience
3 years of experience in the relevant field.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Economics and finance, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Bulgarian, Level: Mother tongue, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in the fields relevant to international relations, humanitarian action, law, political science, social sciences, administration, or related areas is desirable.
Competencies and values
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Integrity
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Teamwork and respect for diversity
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Communication
Living conditions and remarks
This assignment requires full-time engagement (8 hours/5 days per week). The contract lasts for the period indicated above with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The UN Volunteer will be expected to travel to the field, particularly to areas of high presence of refugees. He/she will be responsible for his/her own accommodation but will be eligible for daily allowance in accordance with relevant policy.
The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service.
Monthly Living Allowance (per month): BGN 2635.83
Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400
Exit allowance: BGN 219.65 for each month served, paid on completion of the contract
Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in exchange rates.
Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment.
Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.
For more information on entitlements please read the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers: https://explore.unv.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/UNVcos20221%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_NOV22.pdf
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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