Client Engagement Assistant

United Nations Volunteers (UNV) 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 country level, the UNV Field Unit (FU) and/or designated UNV personnel are responsible for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes in the areas of peace, development and humanitarian assistance. UNV Field Units/designated UNV personnel represent and position UNV in the respective countries with a focus on the UN Country Team, bringing UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners within a client service approach and collaborating with other stakeholders from government, civil society and private sector. As UNDP represents UNV at country level, UNV personnel are usually hosted within a UNDP Office and are accountable to the Supervisor and UNV Executive Coordinator for compliance with UNV and UNDP policies, rules and regulations.

Under the general guidance of the Regional Manager, with day-to-day reporting to the Country Coordinator, the Client Engagement Assistant supports the identification, development, and cultivation of select partnerships with UN Agencies / Host Entities at country level. This includes managing the relationship with priority partners, gathering and sharing data and information that influence mobilization opportunities, ensuring client satisfaction with volunteer services, and bridging the delivery of services from centralized functions of the volunteer management cycle. The critical purpose of this role is the sustained mobilization of volunteers to the designated partners (clients) and support to the duty of care for serving volunteers.

The role involves regular contact and liaison with counterpart UN personnel at all levels, including senior-level staff. Within UNV, all personnel are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1. Assist in mobilizing volunteers and developing and maintaining partnerships:
• Support in the management of key accounts of assigned partnerships.
• Support and maintain relationships with assigned UN partner/s in the country/countries to ensure an understanding of UNV's mandate, key offers and the added value that UN Volunteer assignments bring in support to the achievement of their respective mandates.
• Support in the identification of volunteer placement opportunities based on UN agency strategies and plans, and present UNV value proposition and volunteer modalities with the objective of maximizing the relevance of volunteerism for impact.
• Support in the preparation of descriptions of assignment, with a focus on the assigned partners.
• Support in the development of offers and initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of partners for volunteer solutions.
• Contribute to the organization of advocacy campaigns, key events, and other external communication efforts that raise awareness and foster engagement.
• Ensure knowledge is documented, systematized, and fed back into volunteer mobilization, using UNV's Client Relationship Management (CRM) to track interactions and updates.
• In consultation with the Online Volunteering (OV) Programme Associate in the respective Regional Office, act as a focal point for online volunteers and accreditation of OV service organizations, focusing on supporting host entities with developing OV opportunities through advocacy engagements and promoting the concept of OV.

2. Contribute to business intelligence in support of strategic and sustained mobilization:
• Support partnerships development by collecting and analyzing data of UN Cooperation Frameworks and agency programming frameworks to identify volunteer engagement areas. Record volunteer mobilization opportunities and business intelligence in CRM.
• Support in the engagement with potential partners by preparing presentations, mapping etc. on opportunities for volunteerism for internal use by UNV.
• Support the identification of opportunities for communicating on positive volunteer stories and strengthening visibility of the Agency partnership and the impact of volunteerism.
• Contribute to the development of key messages, talking points, and reports as needed.

3. Contribute to positive volunteer experience:
• Provide support during the onboarding process, ensuring volunteers receive timely information, access to necessary resources, and a smooth start to their assignments.
• Provide support to UN Volunteers throughout the volunteer management cycle, ensuring timely assistance and guidance during key life events to foster a smooth, inclusive, and positive volunteer experience.
• Support volunteer engagement by responding to inquiries, sharing updates, and escalating concerns to relevant colleagues to ensure volunteers are supported throughout their service.
• Assist in gathering feedback from volunteers through surveys or informal check-ins and help compile and share insights to inform improvements in volunteer management practices.
• Support the organization of appreciation initiatives and local events to acknowledge volunteer contributions and foster a sense of belonging.
• Support the Country Coordinator in ensuring volunteers' satisfaction with their assignment.
• Perform functions in the Volunteer Management Cycle in accordance with role and SOPs.
• Backstop other functions in the Field Unit/at country level during peak periods or personnel absences, ensuring continuity of service and contributing to a seamless and positive volunteer experience.

4. Support duty of care of UN Volunteers serving in the assigned area:
• Liaise with the respective entities' security focal points or heads of office, as applicable, and provide support to ensure a detailed and precise understanding among UN Volunteers on all security-related issues, including e.g. assistance with headcounts in emergency situations.
• Provide timely and accurate support to UN Volunteers undergoing medical evacuation, ensuring coordination with medical providers, host entities, and relevant offices at UNV, while maintaining compliance with established procedures.
• Provide tailored support to UN Volunteers who do not speak the UN official language, to facilitate their understanding and providing key information, and navigate their assignment environment effectively throughout the volunteer management cycle.
• Provide host entities with comprehensive information on the enabling instruments available through UNV that support the health and well-being of UN Volunteers, such as insurance and related benefits.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.