General
Description of assignment title: Professional light infrastructure for nature tourism
Assignment country: Colombia
Expected start date: 09/15/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 15. Life on land
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: PNUD
Type: Onsite
Duration: 7 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Mesetas
Details
Mission and objectives
We are the United Nations Global Network for Development and we work in Colombia mobilizing knowledge, experiences and resources that allow the country to advance towards peacebuilding, reconciliation and human development. UNDP promotes strategic alliances with development actors to strengthen democratic governance, eradicate poverty, protect Colombian biodiversity, as well as prevent and respond in a timely manner to crisis situations. UNDP fosters local and regional capacity to promote change in harmony with the country’s needs, enhancing joint action with the United Nations System and coordination with the international community.
Context
At a programmatic level, the office in Colombia is organized into two Clusters and four Portfolios that work in an articulated manner on different development initiatives: The Inclusive Sustainable Development Cluster brings together the Sustainable Development and Poverty and Inequality Reduction portfolios, and the Cluster of Peacebuilding and Inclusive Governance that brings together the Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding Portfolios. From the Sustainable Development area, the UNDP focuses on contributing to the economic and social development of the country being environmentally sustainable and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable and excluded population, promoting the development of the 2030 Agenda and the objectives of sustainable development at a local, regional and national scale with an environmental perspective of the territory, from 5 lines of work: reducing vulnerability to climate change, improving the environmental sustainability of productive processes, increasing environmental governance in natural resource management, promoting the sustainable use of biodiversity and territorial peace with environmental sustainability. Within these 5 lines of work is the “Peace Corridors” project, which is part of the UNDP sustainable use strategy. Among its specific objectives is “Contribute to the transformation of 3 strategic corridors for planning at a territorial scale” one of them includes the Municipality of Mesetas in Meta, where the strengthening of the nature and peace tourism chain was prioritized. The project also has an important orientation towards the construction of sustainable territorial peace, which is reflected in the selection of the prioritized territories and the benefited population, such as local environmental authorities, victims of the conflict, social organizations and the peace signatory population. In relation to strengthening nature tourism developed by local communities, the program has identified the need to strengthen light infrastructure to improve the conditions in which hiking and birdwatching activities are currently carried out. These activities will be developed by the communities themselves through low value subsidy agreements (ASBV) and in accordance with the technical guidelines established by National Natural Parks and the regulations established by the Mayor’s Office of the Municipality of Mesetas Meta. Therefore, the Peace Corridors Project, requires a volunteer specialized in infrastructure to technically support the development of light infrastructure to improve ecotourism and birdwatching activities in the municipality of Mesetas – Meta. It will be responsible for supporting the technical and monitoring activities that ensure the quality of the works developed within the framework of ASBV, it will carry out the monitoring and supervision activities of these, following the UNDP guidelines, standards and procedures, for the development of works. community infrastructure and ensure compliance with program commitments. This position will contribute to the formulation, planning, structuring, execution, follow-up, monitoring and evaluation of infrastructure projects, to fulfill the activities and goals of the Peace Corridors Program.
Task description
Within the framework of the delegated authority and under the supervision of the National Head of Sustainable Development Projects, the UN Volunteer will carry out the following tasks: 1. Contribute to the design and preparation of Terms of Reference, technical specifications, work and budget estimates, documents and formats necessary to execute infrastructure projects that are developed within the framework of Low Value Subsidy Agreements (ASBV), which are developed with local organizations. 2.Support the preparation of terms of reference for the acquisition of inputs, materials, equipment, services, that are required within the framework of the ASBV or others, that are required for the implementation of light infrastructure projects for improvement of hiking and birdwatching activities. 3. Advise the program coordination in making timely decisions that ensure the quality and compliance of light infrastructure projects. 4.Advise the organizations and communities that benefit from the program on the implementation of light infrastructure projects and audit the execution of the works in order to ensure quality, as well as compliance with the activities and obligations that are established. in the ASBVs. 5. Provide technical support to the light infrastructure ASBVs and prepare technical, progress and final reports on Infrastructure projects. 6.Generate early alerts and comply with technical and financial execution commitments. 7. Timely report risks, eventualities or developments that may affect the fulfillment of the objectives, before, during and after completing the infrastructure projects. 8.Support the updating of databases, tracking and monitoring systems that are required by the Program coordination. 9.Prepare minutes, memory aids and documentation that support the activities and results of UNDP commitments for the development of light infrastructure projects. 10.Design and implement training under the “learning by doing” methodology for the staff of organizations and local communities, on the processes and activities related to the development of infrastructure projects and the maintenance of works. In addition to the above, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate into the UNV mandate within the framework of their assignment and promote voluntary action through integration into communities in the development of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate part of their work time to one of the following recommended activities:
- Strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteering by reading relevant UNV and external publications, as well as playing an active role in UNV activities (for example, events commemorating International Volunteer Day). Volunteering);
- Know and develop traditional and/or local forms of volunteering in the host country;
- Provide annual and post-assignment self-assessment reports on UNV actions, results and opportunities;
- Contribute articles/reviews of your experiences in the field and send them to headquarters for inclusion in the website, publications, pamphlets/newsletters, press releases, etc. of UNV;
- Assist with the Mentoring Program for new UN Youth Volunteers;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of the UNV Online Volunteering service or promote the use of the service to relevant local individuals and organizations where technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in accompaniment, formulation or execution of community infrastructure projects.
Area(s) of expertise
Energy and environment , Engineering and construction
Driving license
–
Languages
Spanish, Level: Mother tongue, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in civil engineering or architecture Specialization in project management and/or work with local communities is desirable.
Competencies and values
Professionalism Integrity Teamwork and respect for diversity Commitment to continuous learning Planning and organization Communication Flexibility Genuine commitment to the principles of volunteering, which include solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and autonomy
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The person in the municipality of Mesetas, according to the recent SRA, prepared by UNDSS, is at a “low” risk level for living and working. It presents favorable and safe living conditions for all employees. The municipality presents security problems in the rural area to the south of the municipality, without representing a permanent risk exposure for officials, whether national or foreign. All trips to rural areas will be carried out under UNDP standards and procedures. Upon entry, all UNVs receive a security briefing from the UNDP security office, in which they are informed about the security environment of the Duty Station, the security measures to take into account and they are supported. with the achievement of their place of residence. The same way, They are entitled to a Residential Security Improvement Grant (MORSS) and have access to security training (some mandatory and some recommended). Although Colombia presents different levels of security (ranging from low to substantial), each of these is clearly defined for the execution of missions, as well as supported through SRA where the mitigation measures that may be required and the established by MORSS. The contract lasts for a period of seven months, with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of financing, operational need and satisfactory performance. The contract lasts for the period indicated above, with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of financing, operational need and satisfactory performance. However, renewal of the assignment is not planned. The corresponding subsistence allowance (in English, Volunteer Living Allowance or VLA) of COP $5,319,810, is provided monthly to cover housing, services, and ordinary living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as final repatriation (if applicable). This assignment requires full availability and exclusivity with the United Nations System. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for providing his or her own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the intentional damage insurance scheme. The corresponding subsistence allowance (in English, Volunteer Living Allowance or VLA) of COP $5,319,810, is provided monthly to cover housing, services, and ordinary living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as final repatriation (if applicable). This assignment requires full availability and exclusivity with the United Nations System. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for providing his or her own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the intentional damage insurance scheme. The corresponding subsistence allowance (in English, Volunteer Living Allowance or VLA) of COP $5,319,810, is provided monthly to cover housing, services, and ordinary living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as final repatriation (if applicable). This assignment requires full availability and exclusivity with the United Nations System. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for providing his or her own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the intentional damage insurance scheme. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as final repatriation (if applicable). This assignment requires full availability and exclusivity with the United Nations System. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for providing his or her own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the intentional damage insurance scheme. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as final repatriation (if applicable). This assignment requires full availability and exclusivity with the United Nations System. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for providing his or her own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the intentional damage insurance scheme. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for providing his or her own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the intentional damage insurance scheme. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for providing his or her own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the intentional damage insurance scheme.
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.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy.