Volunteer Management Coordinator

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism.
At the country level, UNV interacts with UN entities to strategically and meaningfully integrate volunteerism into the implementation and delivery of their mandates.
UNV Sri Lanka has been active since 1974 and continues to expand its support to the United Nations system through both advocating for volunteers and creating opportunities to contribute to United Nations efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNV champions environments in which volunteerism can flourish and supported the Government in developing the National Policy on Volunteering which received cabinet approval on 6th August 2019 placing Sri Lanka at the forefront of countries in the Asia Pacific region with a framework for volunteering.
By integrating volunteers across the country into the objectives and activities of partner organizations, and engaging in local and national development initiatives, UNV fortifies in the transformation process of achieving the SDGs.

Context

UNV advocates for volunteerism and supports policy development and legislation recognizing volunteer work in Sri Lanka. Working in close cooperation with state institutions and national development fora it aims at developing nationally owned and sustainable volunteer structures, as well as supporting the documentation of volunteer contributions to peace and development. The Volunteer Task Force popularly known as V-Force is a unique initiative by United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme Sri Lanka. V Force was launched in 2011 as part of the efforts to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10). Throughout the eight years it has been in operation, V Force has continuously grown in popularity. As of 2018, V Force membership has reached 10,700+ registered members. V-Force is a resource available to the UN System providing capacity solutions through the mobilization of volunteers supporting the work and other initiatives of UN agencies in Sri Lanka.
V-Force was built on the unique volunteer context of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has a long history and rich culture of volunteerism moulded by religion, permeating practically all aspects of human activity. Given this rich volunteer culture, V-Force has become a flagship project of UNV Sri Lanka which leverages volunteerism as a tool for more inclusive processes. Through V-force, irrespective of their background, Sri Lankans can contribute towards achieving SDGs, always under the framework of a United Nations (UN) project or activity. As V-Force opens space for engagement in the development projects towards the 2030 Agenda coordinated by the UN, it also becomes a valuable avenue for volunteers to strengthen their skills, obtain exposure to a world of professionalism and create networks for future career opportunities.
This is particularly valuable for the youth volunteers who are seeking to engage meaningfully. As the UN’s Global Call to Action, it was envisaged volunteering as the platform for to accelerate efforts towards achieving SDGs and young people to contribute and engage meaningfully in the peace and development of the country.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the overall supervision of the Country Coordinator and Direct supervision of the Programme Assistant, the Volunteer Management Coordinator will:
1) Coordination of V-Force volunteer mobilization with UN Agencies ensuring timely response and deployment.
• Planning and coordination of outreach initiatives to enhance the national talent pool.
• Onboarding of V-Force volunteers; organize and conduct briefing and orientation in coordination with the Host Entities.
• Tracking volunteering hours and issuance of certificates as required.
• Maintain V-Force expenditure, processing payments and reporting.
• Contribute to development of collaborative tools.
2) Assist the UNV FU with volunteer mobilization and management.
3) Support organization and management of advocacy initiatives of UNV including International Volunteer Day (IVD) celebrations.
4) Supporting and coordination of the National Volunteering Network Sri Lanka (V-NET) related initiatives.
5) Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
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 an active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
 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.