Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN 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 society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.
ContextThe 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. Since 1971, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme have forged a robust alliance to ensure the protection and promotion of children's rights. As of 2021, more than 1,000 UN Volunteers per year serve UNICEF around the world, actively supporting the organization's mission to advocate for children's rights, address their fundamental needs and create opportunities for them to thrive and fulfil their potential. UNICEF and UNV are partners in an initiative called UNICEF-UNV Accelerate Plus Program which offers to 6 UNICEF national staff to take on international assignment in a UNV Regional Office, as International UN Volunteer, to foster a culture of learning and development, by providing opportunities to enhance staff capacity and strengthen the local talent pipeline.
Task DescriptionWorking as an integral part of the UNV Regional Office team and under the direct supervision of the Regional Manager, the UNICEF Partnership Support Officer will play a key role in supporting and strengthening partnership with UNICEF in the region, external communication and knowledge management practices, and perform the following tasks: • Assist with maintaining and reinforcing regional partnership with UNICEF, through identifying strategic collaboration opportunities aligned with UNV-UNICEF’s regional priorities; • Present the UNV offer to UNICEF regional office and country offices, i. e. in the format of regional webinars or meetings; • Collect data to gather best practices for creating external communication documents, such as visuals and presentations, to advocate for UN Volunteers with UNICEF; • Plan, deliver and evaluate innovative learning activities and workshops for UN Volunteers serving with UNICEF in the region, including an international capacity development learning facility for national UN Volunteers supporting UNV in the fields of partnership, mobilization, and communication - Represent UNV/UNICEF Accelerate Program initiative in interagency committees and thematic working groups; • Actively contribute to knowledge management and sharing regarding partner intelligence within the Field Units in the region, i. e. by facilitating introduction sessions on customer relation management system or sharing information about the bigger, regional picture of the partnership with UNICEF. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities; • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities; • 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.
Competencies and values• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Planning and organizing • Self-management • Results-based Management • Monitoring • Relationship management
Living conditions and remarksPanama City is a family duty station and considered to be a safe place to live. However, like in any city around the world, it is always good to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert. There is a wide range of goods available in Panama and many modern shopping complexes and department stores and designer stores. There are suitable residential areas, accommodation options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants. There are beaches, mountains and national parks in the rainforest that are said to have the broadest range of flora and fauna in the world. Panama does not have any serious health concerns to worry about, however, it is important to note that in some areas such as the Darien province, it is recommended to take precautions for malaria. The Centers for Disease Control website also recommends yellow fever vaccination for travel to Darien province and the San Blas islands. Weather: Panama has two seasons, the dry season, which is from January until late April or early May, and the rainy season which is the rest of the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit with the evenings being cooler by 5 to 10 degrees. The average humidity is 70%. Average cost of living: USD1,120. Currency: Panama Balboa; pegged 1:1 with the US dollar. Internet: High-speed internet is readily available in cities like Panama City, Colon, and David. In remote areas, you'll find DSL, cable, or satellite internet. Panama is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, and more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.