Refugee Engagement Officer – UNICEF Poland At UN Volunteers

Mission and objectives

For 40 years, UNICEF has financed programs to help children in Poland, bought equipment for health centers, and imported raw materials for the production of children’s articles. During martial law, National Committees from Western Europe provided Polish children with medicines, clothes and supplements.

Since 2002, the scope of UNICEF’s activities in Poland has changed. Like other highly developed countries, UNICEF currently focuses its activities in Poland on promoting and protecting children’s rights and collecting funds to help children in the most needy regions of the world.

Context

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The current Ukrainian crisis had a significant impact on the lives of children and families in communities throughout the country. According to official statistics, around 1.2 million refugees have been registered in Poland. Around 50% of them are children under 18 years and around 75% of them are women and children. UNICEF has established an emergency response office in Poland and initiated a cooperation agreement with the national and municipality authorities and local NGOs to provide crisis support to the Ukrainian Refugees.

Under the guidance of the Social and Behaviour Change Chief and in close collaboration with other members of the UNICEF Emergency Response Office in Poland, the Feedback and Accountability to Affected Populations Specialist will provide technical and operational support in the management, coordination and implementation of the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) interventions ensuring that feedback, views and complains of affected people are incorporated into all stages of the programme cycle. Using the feedback from the affected communities as well as social and behavioral sciences approaches the AAP Specialist will develop strategies to engage refugees in the design of solutions for sustainable behavior and social change.

Task description

Under the supervision of Social and Behaviour Change Chief , the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Rapid needs assessments, behaviour drivers research and experimentation to identify refugees’ needs, attitudes, beliefs and practices.

• Map and regularly update the existing accountability and community feedback mechanisms.

• Provide recommendations and guidance on setting up feedback mechanisms.

• Provide technical guidance and capacity building to relevant stakeholders on AAP.

• Support coordinatation with Government, UNHCR and other stakeholders on AAP.

• Support crisis affected groups’ engagement in the set-up of services and the response design.

• Support service providers to understand and address affected groups’ needs for information, services and support.

• Develop strong partnerships around feedback, complains and accountability to affected population with key stakeholders – community groups, refugees and other partners in the community, local government and civil society.

• Put in place an approach to reach and engage special populations (children with disabilities, unaccomponied adolescents, valunarable families).

• Coordinate data collection to assess impacts of SBC strategies and activities for analysis and improvement of measurable behavioral and social change in interventions. Support the documentation of lessons learned and best practices in SBC.

• The UNV will respond to other needs of SBC section and overall team.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);

• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;

• 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.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

• 3 years of experience in social and behaviour change communication, social mobilization, community engagement, digital engagement, or other related communication areas.

• Proven track of reserch and data analysis experience.

• Proficient in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

• Exposure to UNICEF, UN or other INGO or CSOs programmatic areas, including (but not limited to) health, nutrition, child protection, WASH, education, P&E, M&E and experience in applying SBC.

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills in English and Ukrainian; knowledge of Polish is considered as asset.

• 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;

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

• Sound security awareness;

• Have affinity with or interest in children’s rights and wellbeing, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Ukrainian, Level: Fluent, Required

Knowledge of Polish is considered as asset

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Social and Behavioral Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Communication, Public Relations or another relevant technical field

Area of expertise

Development programmes

Competencies and values

Values

• CARE: We are mindful of each other’s well-being, professional growth, and development. We recognize that our staff are often working in stressful environments where insecurity and risk are a daily fact of life.

• RESPECT: We treat each other with the same level of thoughtfulness we want for ourselves, and we promote diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all.

• INTEGRITY: We act ethically, with honesty and transparency, setting the highest standards for ourselves as we work together and with partners, donors and the global community.

• TRUST: We depend on and believe in each other to act in line with the core values and mission of UNICEF and in the best interests of children.

• ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves and each other responsible for our behaviours; this means being answerable for our actions.

Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships: Build a network of external stakeholders and alliances with government counterparts, civil society, the media and the private sector, in order to promote and advance the work of the organization. (Level 1)

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness: Self-aware of own strengths, limitations, working style and deeply held convictions and biases. Displays ethical awareness through behaviours that are consistent and compliant with the standards of conduct for international civil servants, UNICEF’s values and relevant UNICEF policies and procedures. (Level 1)

• Drive to achieve results for impact: Commits to action and assumes responsibility and ownership for own performance and the associated outcomes. (Level 1)

• Innovates and embraces change: Is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to change. (Level 1)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity: Demonstrate resilience and composure, get things done despite challenges and maintain performance levels in pressured, adverse and uncertain environments. (Level 1)

• Thinks and acts strategically: Understands the big picture and is able to identify potential opportunities for action and challenges that exist. Forms sound evidence-based judgements in the delivery of UNICEF’s results. (Level 1)

• Works collaboratively with others: Establish and maintain mutually supportive working relationships, demonstrating sensitivity to people of diverse backgrounds, respecting differences and ensuring that all can contribute and succeed. (Level 1)

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The incumbent will be based in Warsaw, Poland which is safe location. Transport, medical, education and other services are acceptable in the city. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and markets at reasonable prices. Polish is the official language in Poland, however, English is also widely spoken.

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.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.