UN Volunteer Job Opportunities in Uganda- For only Ugandans

The United Nations Volunteers is the UN organization that supports sustainable human development
globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It serves the
causes of peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is
universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer action in all its diversity.

This post is a UNV volunteer assignment based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and
solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer
as well as the society at large. It enhances social cohesion and enriches communities.
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 your understanding of local and social realities, as
well as create a bridge between yourself and the people in your host community. This will make the time
you spend as UNV volunteer even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Post Title: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
2. Project Title: Environmental management in Refugee and IDP hosting areas
3. Duration: 1 year
4. Location, Country: Kampala, Uganda
5. Expected starting date: January 2008
6. Brief Project Description: To integrate environmental consideration in the
refugee and IDP operation at the field level.
7. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNHCR Uganda
8. Description of Duties:
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Officer in Kampala, with technical support from
UNHCR’s Technical Support Section (TSS), and in close collaboration with relevant Government
Departments, and implementing partners, the environmental coordinator will perform the following duties
and functions:
1. Coordinate UNHCR environmental, forestry, agro forestry energy, and awareness raising related
activities in accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities;
2. Act as focal point and liaison officer for all matters related to environmental activities amongst
different sectors within UNHCR, and between UNHCR, the local authorities, and implementing
partners. Harmonize and coordinate the work of those agencies dealing with environmental
projects;
3. Assess environmental conditions in refugee- and IDP-hosting areas, and assess how and to what
extent those conditions are affected by the presence of refugees and IDP’s. Define main areas of
environmental concern (e.g. deforestation, rangeland degradation, soil erosion, water
conservation, agriculture, etc.);
4. Support the establishment of a local Environmental Task Force consisting of UNHCR, the District
and local Government, implementing partners, local community and IDP and refugee
representatives.
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5. Identify ways and means of reducing or arresting the impact of refugee and IDP’s on the
environment, and formulate specific projects in the field of energy conservation, awareness
raising, agro forestry, forest management, erosion control, soil and water conservation and
sustainable agriculture.
6. In collaboration with UNHCR Offices, IUCN, CARE International, Technical Support Section
(TSS) of UNHCR HQ and the Task Force, prepare/follow up upon a detailed environmental action
plan for mitigation and rehabilitation measures of refugee and IDP hosting areas, including
approaches to be taken during camp management.
7. Provide guidance to UNHCR and Partners on the issues related to post-repatriation rehabilitation
in the refugee and IDP hosting areas.
8. Supervise and monitor the implementation of environmental and agricultural projects
administered by UNHCR and its partners;
9. Prepare consolidated reports on environmental related activities of the project, to be submitted to
the Representative and TSS at headquarter.
10. Organize training workshops for government and NGO partners on
• Promotion of Volunteerism
As a UNV volunteer, you are expected to promoting volunteerism and engaging in volunteering
activities. As such you are encouraged to:
• A first step is to strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the concept of
volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and other publications and taking active part in
UNV activities and also to get acquainted with traditional and/or local forms of
volunteerism in the host community.
Specific ways to promote volunteerism include:
• Networking and building relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals
and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives;
• Encouraging and mobilizing co-workers, fellow UNV volunteers and members of the
local community to play an active part in the development of their community;
• Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit for UNV
publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Initiating and/or participate in local volunteer groups. Assist them in submitting stories,
experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
• Promoting or advising local groups in the use of OV (online volunteering), or
encourage relevant local individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically
possible.
9. Results /Expected Output:
• As described in the job description
10. Qualifications/Requirements:
• Degree (or equivalent work experience) in forestry, agro forestry, agricultural extension, energy
conservation, or natural resource management.
• A strong background in natural resource assessment and management, agro forestry, agriculture
or forestry, environmental awareness raising and community involvement in projects
• Experience with management of sector programme support and/or projects
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• Experience of working with or for UN agencies an advantage
• A minimum of six years of experience of working with environment/agriculture management in
refugee and/or rural development programmes in developing countries.
• Excellent knowledge of English (both spoken and written)
• Will require frequent travel to all refugee and IDP hosting areas.
11. Competencies:
• Computer skills: MS Office
• Language skills: English
12. Conditions of living: Kampala
13. Application

The position is open to nationals of Uganda only and the applications plus an up-to-date CV should
be sent to the UNV Programme Officer via e-mail address: registry.ug@undp.org

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Deadline for applications: 15/12/2010