Description of Assignment
Prepared by:
Host organization in coordination with the UNDP Country Office/UNV Field Units or UNV
Focal Points
VMC process: Request for the services of a UN Volunteer . The Description of Assignment (DOA) is
provided on a standard UNV form which is available at any UNDP Country Office or from
UNV Headquarters. This form should be completed in full, providing concise information
on the project and a clear description of the UN Volunteer ’s assignment tasks as well as
embedding volunteerism for development as per guidelines.
Purpose:
Provide UNV HQ and the UNV candidate with information on key elements of the UNV
assignment, including required competencies, roles and responsibilities of the future UN
Volunteer. Serve as basis for the identification, submission and interview of UN Volunteer
candidates.
Format:
Description of Assignment
Guidelines on embedding Volunteerism for Development into the standard Description of
Assignment for UN Volunteers
Promoting volunteerism for peace and development is an integral part of every UN Volunteer assignment.
The Description of Assignment (DOA) needs to outline ways to promote volunteerism for development
through and alongside the UN Volunteer assignment.
Assignments in the fields of agriculture, HIV/AIDS, community mobilization, human rights, civil or
humanitarian affairs should all provide ample opportunities for demonstrating that volunteerism contributes
directly to development. For all these areas of specialization the promotion of volunteerism for
development should not be expressed solely through a number of bullet points in the DOA template but
should be clearly mainstreamed within the DOA. The promotion of volunteerism for development, engaging
in volunteering activities, building volunteering-based partnerships, and/or mobilizing local communities
needs to permeate UN Volunteer assignments and be carried out within the context of their duties.
Volunteerism for development is a means to achieve the overarching objective of the assignment;
therefore the DOA should include specific tasks related to the promotion of volunteerism for development
tailor-made to the specific position. UNV encourages the inclusion of volunteerism for development in all
areas of UN Volunteers’ work while, at the same time, recognizing that not all assignments easily lend
themselves to the pursuit of volunteerism within their framework. For such DOA where the volunteerism for
development cannot be mainstreamed, we suggest the inclusion of a number of bullet points that pursue
the promotion of volunteerism for development throughout the assignment in addition to the bullet points
indicated in the DOA template. Those bullet points could include:
 Networking and building relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and supporting
and/or participating in local volunteering initiatives;
 Encouraging, mobilizing and supporting co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local
community to play an active part in development on a voluntary basis;
 Initiating and/or participating in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories
and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
 Discussing with supervisors on how volunteerism for development can be mainstreamed through the
assignment and integrating activities that promote volunteerism for development into work plans.
 Building on this DOA template will ensure further advocacy through the promotion of volunteerism
within the programme/project and within the context of the assignment. Including in DOA gives greater
recognition and legitimacy to this commitment with concerned host organizations and partners.
UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
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, UN 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, UN 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 UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Assignment Title:
Finance Assistant
2. Type of Assignment:
International UN Volunteer /
/
National UN Volunteer /X /
3. Project Title:
Climate Change Mitigation projects
4. Duration:
12 months
5. Location, Country:
Nairobi, Kenya
6. Expected Starting Date:
As soon as possible
Supporting with monitoring projects under implementation and closure
of completed projects under Climate Change Mitigation portfolio.
7. Brief Project Description:
8. Host Agency/Host Institute: DTIE/UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United
Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level.
Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global
environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the
international community for action. As one of the implementing agencies of the Global Environment
Facility (GEF), UNEP is supporting developing countries meet their reporting obligations under the
UNFCCC, by preparing their national communications (NCs) and biennial update reports (BURs).
UNEP/DTIE requires the services of a UN Volunteer to work with the Climate Change Mitigation Unit
(CCMU) team in providing assistance for monitoring projects under implementation and closure of
completed projects.
9. Organizational Context:
10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family/ without family (please choose)
Assignment with family
11. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the UNEP Fund Management Officer, Climate Change Mitigation projects,
the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Project Implementation
 Monitor expenditures of 30 projects to ensure they remain within authorized levels. Analyze
variances between approved budgets and expenditures and prepare adjustments as necessary.
 Prepare annual project revisions and supporting schedules of 30 projects. Coordinate with other
finance and substantive/technical staff on related issues during preparation of revision.
 For DTIE internally executed projects, facilitate the creation of Special Service Agreements
(SSA)/Travel Requests (TVRQ)/Travel advances(RCTA) in IMIS, ensuring that supporting
documents are sufficient and in accordance with UN rules and regulations.
 Reconcile project accounts against independent audit certificates received from executing
agencies.
 Follow-up on outstanding financial and technical reports with the executing agencies.
2. Project Evaluation and Closures
 Provide financial information required in Project Implementation Review (PIR), Mid-term
review/evaluation and Terminal Evaluation.
 Prepare project completion and closing revision and supporting schedules.
 Prepare disposal of non-expendable equipment in accordance with UNEP procedures before
closure of projects.
 Prepares request for refund of unspent balances for approval by Fund Management Officer in
accordance with the project manual. Track receipt of expected income through Treasury deposits
report and ensure that credit is posted correctly to the GEF Trust Fund.
 Updates project database with relevant project information on revision/closure of project.
3. Carry out other relevant tasks as required.
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Provides general administrative support to Fund Management Officer and other team members.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
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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.
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12. Results/Expected Output:

Annual revision, of 30 projects done within one year
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Completion and closing revision for at least 15 projects done within one year.
Financial information relating to at least 10 projects provided to evaluators.
All financial data relating to the year input in the financial database
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment,
such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities
developed.
13. Qualifications/Requirements:
Competencies:
Professionalism: Knowledge in climate change issues in general and national communications under the
UNFCCC in particular.
Communication: Should be able to speak and write clearly and effectively as well as demonstrate
openness in sharing information and keeping colleagues informed of work done.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
Planning and organization: Should demonstrate ability to develop clear goals, identify priority activities
and assignments and effective use of time
Qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or
related field. A first university degree with a combination of one year professional and academic
qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Experience:
At least one year of relevant work experience.
Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is an asset.
14. Living Conditions:
 Availability, quantity and rental arrangements of accommodations at the work-site, for the UNV and
family: - Housing available on demand.
 Health conditions in area of work-site, access to basic commodities, safe drinking water, sanitation and
medical facilities: - Condusive conditions and readily available access to commodities, safe drinking
water, sanitation and medical facilities.
 Availability to basic goods and services, and to markets at the place of assignment :- Readily available
access
 Availability to public transport, telecommunication and banking services :- Readily available access
 Quality and cost of the existing educational facilities (primary and secondary) for dependants available
in the specific place of assignment, or those closest to this area :- Reasonable and modest, Language
of instruction – English
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Socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and
working in (main economic activities, religious groups, special customs and events etc):- National and
International community of diverse backgrounds.
Prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment: - Modest security.
Topographic and climatic features of the assignment location:- Highland cool and warm tropical
climate.
15. Conditions of Service
A twelve (12) months contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic
needs and utilities, equivalent to KES 62,344.00 settling-in-grant (where applicable); life, health and
permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance of KES 62,344.00 prorated by number of month of
satisfactory service.
Description of Assignment prepared by the UNV Field Unit/UN Agency:
Martin Okun,
Fund Management Officer,
Climate Change Mitigation
UNEP/DTIE
Date: 30/06/2013 (day/month/year)
Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/RR/CD or UNV Field Unit:(Dmitry Frischin, UNV
Programme Officer)
Date: (30/06/2013)