Mission and objectives

UNICEF was established in 1946 to supply emergency relief to millions of children suffering in the aftermath of World War II. The organization still functions to ease the suffering of millions of children in emergency situations across the world. UNICEF also focuses on the protection and promotion of child rights, working for the survival, protection, education and healthy development of every child.

UNICEF has worked in Jordan since 1952 to promote and protect the rights of children. In the following decades, significant progress has been achieved for children. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2013, UNICEF has significantly increased its operation to respond to the challenges faced by both refugee children and those in the communities where they live.

Building on the lessons learned from this emergency response, UNICEF Jordan moved to a vulnerability approach in 2018 – supporting interventions that target the most vulnerable children in the country, regardless of their nationality.

Context

Led by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC), the Jordan Response Platform for the Syria Crisis (JRPSC) constitutes the strategic partnership mechanism between the Government of Jordan, donors, and UN agencies for the development of a refugee, resilience-strengthening, and development response to the impact of the Syrian crisis on Jordan. MOPIC requires development partners, including UNICEF, to submit applications for project approvals via the Jordan Response Information System for the Syria Crisis (JORISS). JORISS is an online system used to manage the information related to partnership and funds disbursement for all projects/programmes under the Jordan Response Plan for the Syria Crisis.

Project approval through JORISS entails various steps from uploading project information and supporting documents online in coordination with implementing partners, MOPIC reviews the submissions and verifies comprehensiveness and accuracy of information, and once confirmed, the submissions are considered as final.

In order to expedite project approvals, since 2018 UNICEF JCO has centralized all the JORISS related tasks. With this background, UNICEF JCO is hiring a National UN Youth Volunteer who will be responsible for coordinating JORISS requests and approvals, liaising closely with concerned programme sections, MOPIC and concerned Government ministries.

The assignment entails accurate and timely project approval requests via JORISS and accurate progress reporting. More specifically, UNV Assignment includes the following specific objectives:

i. To coordinate new project approval requests submitted by programme sections, reviewing offline templates and timely uploading project information via JORISS.

ii. To constantly follow-up with MOPIC to ensure timely review and approval of submitted projects.

iii. To coordinate project extension requests submitted by programme sections.

iv. To coordinate project progress reporting by programme sections and submit via JORISS.

v. To facilitate timely identification and propose actions to address JORISS project approval related bottlenecks impacting on disbursement of funds for project implementation by UNICEF partners.

Additional information:

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan.

National UN Youth Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 881.33;

• Annual and learning leaves;

• Free Medical and life insurance; and

• Free access to different learning platforms.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Planning and Monitoring officer, the National UN Youth Volunteer will perform the following tasks:

a. Serve as the UNICEF JORISS focal point for requests from MOPIC and requests from programme sections.

b. Provide guidance, templates and checklist to programme section JORISS focal points to initiate the project approval submission process.

c. Review JoRISS templates submitted by concerned programme sections (Health and Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, WASH, Social Protection and Policy and Youth & Adolescents) to ensure accuracy and completeness.

d. Provide technical support to UNICEF implementing partners during JORISS template completion process.

e. Upload UNICEF projects approval requests and supporting documents (cover letter, commitment letter and confirmation letter) on JORISS.

f. Track, review and coordinate with concerned programme sections to address MOPIC comments.

g. Follow up with relevant ministries/agencies and SRAD to secure all approval documents required for JORISS.

h. Notify implementing partners when JORISS approval is granted by Cabinet.

i. Coordinate with programme sections on bi-annual progress reporting in July and in December.

j. Coordinate with supply and programme sections to report on UNICEF direct implementation into light JORISS.

k. Timely respond to queries related to project approval submissions, extensions, reporting and fund disbursement.

l. Maintain JORISS folder with relevant supporting documents (partnership table, registration IP certificates, letters, offline templates, etc.)

m.During JORISS off-peak time, provide support on planning, monitoring and reporting functions assigned by supervisor and chief of section, as appropriate.

Skills

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

2 years of experience in with Government ministries and Civil Society Organizations in Jordan is required.

• Prior knowledge of JORISS is an asset.

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

• Sound security awareness;

• Have affinity with or interest in serving the children of Jordan, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Crisis and emergency response, Development programmes, Information technology

Languages

English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Information Technology, Statistics or Demography

Competencies and values

• Builds and maintains partnerships.

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.

• Drive to achieve results for impact.

• Innovates and embraces change.

• Manages ambiguity and complexity.

• Thinks and acts strategically.

• Works collaboratively with others