Title: Visibility and Advocacy Support Volunteer, WomenX Collective
Location: UNFPA Berlin Hub Office, Berlin, Germany
Full/Part-time: Full-time
Remote/In person: In person
Duration: 24 weeks
Candidates who are not nationals of the country where they will volunteer must have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment. In the case of a volunteer assignment outside the volunteer’s country of residence, the volunteer will be responsible for making their own visa and travel arrangements.
The Position:
Under the direct supervision of the Global Coordinator, SRH Innovation Specialist, WomenX the UNFPA Volunteer will support the branch/team in the work of the WomenX Collective (WomenX). WomenX is an innovative UNFPA programme designed to address critical health gaps for women and girls by identifying investment cases that leverage context-tailored and evidence-based advanced solutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). By overcoming barriers such as limited adoption, restricted access, and low investment in women's health, WomenX promotes the implementation of adaptable, locally relevant, and sustainable interventions. WomenX Berlin Hub was established to leverage the German innovation, research and health ecosystem.
The Volunteer will support the efficient functioning of WomenX Collective by providing event management support. The incumbent will work closely with the WomenX team and the wider Innovation and Transformation Branch team, partners, and stakeholders especially in Berlin.
A work-plan with achievements for the duration of the volunteer assignment will be agreed upon. Periodic progress meetings will lead to a beneficial environment for the UNFPA Volunteer, enhancing her/his skills and capacity in areas related to UNFPA’s mandate.
About UNFPA and How You Can Make a Difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations, and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on womens’ and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We need UNFPA Volunteers who are exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
You would be responsible for:
A. On-site Event Support
The role will contribute to the planning and execution of WomenX-organized events, ensuring seamless delivery. Responsibilities and deliverables include:
Support logistical, administrative, and financial arrangements for meetings and events organized by the WomenX Office.
Draft event concepts by outlining objectives, themes, target audiences, and key activities.
Conduct research on potential event guests and speakers: Identify and research prospective event guests and speakers, including gathering information on their backgrounds, expertise, and biographies.
Manage event invitations and participation: Prepare and distribute event invitations, manage participant lists, and conduct follow-ups to ensure strong attendance.
Ensure smooth event delivery, including the logistics such as location, catering, AV support (microphones, screen, Wi-Fi, etc) and visual support
Prepare post-event reports: Compile comprehensive event reports by summarizing key activities, outcomes, and feedback.
Support any other administrative and financial tasks as required.
Qualifying for a Volunteer Assignment
All UNFPA Volunteers must meet the following eligibility requirements:
a. Applicants from all over the world may express an interest in volunteering. Applicants must be over the age of 18. There is no upper age restriction as long as the person is fit for the required work.
b. Candidates who are not nationals of the country where they will volunteer must have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment.
c. Volunteers may include professionals, technicians, and retirees.
d. Spouses and family members of current UNFPA personnel may volunteer as long as there is no conflict of interest.
i. Family relationships must be disclosed to the Ethics Office and Head of Unit prior to engaging a spouse or family member as a volunteer.
ii. Volunteers should not be in the same reporting line as spouses or family members and, where feasible, should be in different organizational units.
e. A Bachelor's degree in administration, political science, international relations, law, social studies or a related area is required.
f. Fluency in English is required, while fluency in German is desirable. Knowledge of an additional United Nations language is an asset.
g. Demonstrate interest in the field of development.
h. Demonstrate ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.
You Have:
Knowledge and Experience:
• Some experience in project management and/or administration is required.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to organize work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work productively in a multicultural team and be able to work under pressure, gain support from others and produce quality work.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
Learning Elements:
Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the UNFPA Volunteer will gain the following knowledge assets:
Increased understanding of the UNFPA and the Programme Division within UNFPA
Understand the UNFPA mandate and policies, including regional set-up
Understand and familiarize with UNFPA Governance and Executive Board
Understand UNFPA programme design and delivery mechanisms
Understand the dynamics of operational and programme support and communications to the field, and at the level of HQ
Learn UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms
Write and formulate substantive documents
Network with UN colleagues
Work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting
Financial Aspects:
UNFPA Volunteers do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with a UNFPA Volunteer's participation in the programme must be assumed by the UNFPA Volunteer themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements.
In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the volunteer assignment. Proof of adequate medical insurance, a medical certificate of good health, proof of any required vaccinations for the duty station will need to be submitted before the volunteer assignment begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for UNFPA volunteers.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other under represented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
How to Apply
Please email your applications to unfpa-volunteer-applications@unfpa.org.
Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
