Terms of Reference

Agency: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Unit/Team: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Position: Research and Communications Intern
Position Available: 1
Duty Station: UNV Office, Beijing, China
Start Date: June 2010
Duration: 3 months

Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development, and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of UNV Programme Manager the UNV Intern will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UNV with partners, the media, and the public. Compile UNV information packs and assist in production of updated promotional materials.
• Promote a client-oriented approach in UNV, compiling induction packs for UNV volunteers in Mainland China and Hong Kong, assist in organizing orientation sessions and regular learning sessions.
• Carry out research on the history of volunteerism in China and map current volunteer organizations working in China.
• Provide logistical support to UNV of publicity and outreach for the UNV programme, knowledge sharing events, and promotional opportunities, especially UN events
• Disseminate information and publications; assisting at public events such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, and interviews
• Maintain information database and photo library
• Collect information, preparation of content for the UNV web site
• Organise translations of key UNV documents, toolkits and publications
• Conduct daily news reviews, policy research and retrieving statistical data from internal and external sources, including translation of blog posts, emails and media material relating to volunteerism.

Furthermore, UNV Interns are encouraged to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
• Get acquainted with and building 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 submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Qualifications:

• Master student in development studies or other related social sciences;
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills;
• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills;
• Advanced command of English and Chinese use;
• Proficient skills in Microsoft office applications.