Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

At the country level, UNV Field Unit (FU) and designated UNV personnel are responsible for promoting volunteerism through the mobilization of UN Volunteers across the UN system in the areas of peace, development, human rights and humanitarian assistance. FUs represent and position UNV within the respective countries, particularly within the UN country team, adopting a client-oriented and solutions-based approach.

As UNV is the systemwide service administered by UNDP, FUs are hosted within relevant UNDP offices, collaborating closely with the UNDP resident representative and the UN resident coordinator system. The UNV country coordinator ensures compliance with UNV and UNDP policies, rules, and regulations.

A Multi-Country Field Unit (MCFU) mobilizes volunteers and coordinates UNV affairs across more than one UN programme country, requiring the liaison with multiple UN Country Teams in several adjacent countries and placing additional demands on the Country Coordinator in terms of liaison, partnership management, and business intelligence functions. This usually requires closer coordination with the Regional Office in the prioritization and planning of mobilization activities and may have implications for other staffing arrangements in the FU. The UNV Multi-Country Field Unit in Barbados is accountable for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in the English/Dutch speaking Caribbean.

 Scope of Work

  1. Lead volunteer mobilization 
  • Position UNV as a system-wide service provider supporting UN partners to achieve their programmes and UNSDCF goals.
  • Develop and implement country-level volunteer mobilization strategies aligned with UNV’s Strategic Framework and partner demand.
  • Participate in UN collective planning processes (CCA, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, thematic task forces) to integrate volunteerism in their implementation.
  • Present UNV’s value proposition to maximize contributions of UN Volunteers, and guide partners in developing volunteer assignment descriptions.
  • Support local talent outreach and acquisition efforts in alignment with corporate strategies.
  • Promote Online Volunteering as a core component of UNV’s offer.
  • Monitor mobilization trends, track key performance indicators, and use corporate tools (CRM, BI reports, UVP) for informed decision-making.
  • Facilitate executive, operational, and partnership missions by UNV.

     2. Manage partnerships

  • Build and sustain effective relationships with UN partners to promote UNV’s mandate and services.
  • Analyze country strategies (UNSDCF, agency strategies) to identify opportunities for volunteer mobilization.
  • Maintain business intelligence on UN programming, funding and workforce trends to diversify partnerships and forecast volunteer demand.
  • Engage regularly the heads of agencies, their management teams and senior programme and operations staff to support volunteer mobilization, collaborating proactively to identify opportunities
  • In coordination with the RO and ERCS, map and pursue SVF mobilization opportunities.
  • Engage with government, civil society, private sector, and development partners in close coordination with other UN entities as may be required to realize agreed objectives.

       3. Ensure Duty of Care 

  • Support host entities with guidance and best practices to ensure successful volunteer assignments.
  • Work closely with UNDSS, the UN Designated Official for security, and host agencies to ensure the safety, security, and inclusion of UN Volunteers in each country. Provide timely support during security evacuations.
  • Ensure volunteers receive appropriate briefings, orientation, and guidance from host entities on arrival and benefit from appropriate supervision throughout their assignment.
  • Brief the volunteer on expected code of conduct and other relevant factors for a successful experience; be available to answer questions. 
  • Conduct regular field visits to volunteer locations and monitor volunteer well-being and provide guidance on critical administrative aspects.
  • Facilitate regular engagement with and among volunteers (e.g., town halls, networking, and community activities) to strengthen volunteer experience and well-being.

       4. Lead advocacy on volunteerism

  • Align communications with volunteer mobilization and talent acquisition goals, develop impactful volunteer stories in collaboration with the RO and External Relations and Communications Section (ERCS), promote UNV at national, regional and global levels.
  • Stay informed of national volunteer initiatives, policies and strategies, including those supported by the UN system, and share relevant updates with Volunteer Advisory Services Section.
  • Stay informed of host countries’ aspirations to promote national volunteer talent through fully funded UNV assignments domestically and abroad, share relevant updates with ERCS on emerging demand for UNV solutions, and support their implementation if needed.
  • Stay informed of the International Volunteer Day and other volunteer recognition efforts by national counterparts and, where appropriate, collaborate around respective activities in close coordination with UN country teams and upon advice from the RO and ERCS.
  • Encourage volunteers to act as advocates and disseminate their experiences as advocates and ambassadors of volunteer action.

       5. MCFU Management

  • Lead and coordinate the MCFU to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and a collaborative work environment.
  • Supervise, empower and ensure performance and accountability of MCFU team members. Provide coaching and oversight to ensure consistency and client orientation in the communication with all clients.
  • Develop, monitor, and manage the MCFU’s annual work plan and budget in compliance with performance targets and UNDP regulations.
  • Liaise with UNDP programme and operations teams to ensure administrative support, alignment with local protocol, and facilitate cooperation on critical issues such as visas for international volunteers.
  • Ensure that the MCFU undertake assigned transactions in the Volunteer Management Cycle in accordance with corporate SOPs.
  • Escalate operational and reputational risks and other significant issues promptly to the RO.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the regional manager and direct supervision of the portfolio manager in the Regional Office (RO), the country coordinator manages the MCFU and leads UNV’s engagement at the country level of the above mentioned countries.

The role’s primary purpose is to ensure that UNV effectively anticipates and responds to the needs of the UN system and partners by mobilizing qualified volunteers and promoting volunteerism across sectors. This includes strategic positioning, partnership building, advocacy, and contribution to UNV’s Strategic Framework implementation.

The Country Coordinator works under the general guidance of the UN resident coordinator in each of the countries to position UNV and its services within the UN system and liaises regularly with the UNDP resident representative for support. The incumbent also collaborates closely with the UNDP country office/s for administrative matters, participates in UN country team activities as invited (including joint UN programme, operations, communications teams and other subsidiary groups of UNCT), and may represent UNV in joint coordination mechanisms with government and non-government stakeholders. Where the activities of different country teams pose competing priorities, the MCFU Country Coordinator shall establish the parameters for prioritization in consultation with the Regional Manager.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results 

  • Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively:  

  • Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking 

Learn Continuously: 

  • Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility:  

  • Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process 

Act with Determination:  

  • Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner: 

  • Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: 

  • Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

System Thinking

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system

Integration within the UN System

  • Ability to identify and integrate the capacity and assets of the UN system and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

Results-based Management 

  • Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools

Partnerships Management 

  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Knowledge Generation 

  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

Digital Awareness and Literacy 

  • Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends

Event planning and execution

  • Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNV's overall brand and mandate

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent), or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

  • Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in humanitarian, development and/or peace-related field

Required skills:

  • Experience in partnership building and management is essential

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

  • Experience in advocacy, public relations, or communication is an asset.
  • Experience in programme reporting, monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
  • Experience in volunteer management and/or promotion of volunteerism is an asset.
  • Knowledge of national development situations in one or several of the assigned countries (Pacific) is highly desirable.
  • Experience in working in digital platforms and tools, including CRM and ERP systems is an asset.
  • Work experience with the United Nations is an asset. 

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in English and in the local language of the duty station

Disclaimer

  • Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
  • The successful candidate will hold a UNDP National Personnel Service Agreement contract.
  • This post is for local recruitment only. It is open to citizens of Barbados. All travel, interview and relocation costs, if any, incurred to take up an appointment at the duty station in Bridgetown, Barbados are at the expense of the applicant. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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