Mission and objectives

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Context

Over the last 10 years, Burundi’s population has grown by 30.1%, from 9.5 million in 2010 to 12.3 million in 2020. In 2020, 61% of this population was under 25 years of age, a figure that is set to rise to 56% by 2030, according to demographic projections. Encouraging progress has been recorded by Burundi in the area of family planning, with a modern contraceptive method prevalence rate of 23% according to the EDSB III 2016/2017, compared with 18% in 2010. However, unmet need for Family Planning remains a concern, estimated at 30% in 2016 compared to 31% in 2010. Although the trend is downwards (from 6.4 in 2010 to 5.5 in 2016 according to the EDSB II and III), the total fertility rate remains high, and is linked in particular to low use of family planning services, early entry into childbearing life, and this contributes to maternal mortality in Burundi, estimated in 2016 at 334/100,000 NV. As for Burundi’s 2010 DHS, the mortality ratio is 500 women per 100,000 live births, reflecting, admittedly, a downward trend, but efforts remain to be made, especially in terms of quality of care, to curb maternal mortality within hospitals, which remains high. Adolescents’ and young people’s low level of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, their poor access to reproductive health services, the lack of health facilities offering sexual and reproductive health services adapted to young people’s needs, and the shortage of staff trained to provide youth-sensitive sexual and reproductive health services are all major development challenges. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Burundi is currently implementing the 9th BURUNDI-UNFPA Cooperation Program covering the period 2024-2027. This program can be consulted at https://burundi.unfpa.org This program aims to improve the quality of reproductive health care and services, strengthen national mechanisms and the capacities of institutions and actors to combat discriminatory social and gender norms, build the skills and capacities of young people, and improve the production and use of data to support national planning. This will accelerate progress towards UNFPA’s three transformative outcomes. To support the successful implementation of the ninth program, UNFPA seeks to strengthen its team in the areas of Partner Relations and Resource Mobilization. The UN Volunteer (UNV) will play a key role in this process by building strategic partnerships and strengthening the country office’s efforts in resource mobilization. UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Task Description

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNFPA Burundi Resident Representative, and in close collaboration with colleagues from Operations and Programs, the Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Assistant will support the overall effective functioning the country’s office portfolio, through the development of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization, in efforts to build an appropriate funding base while ensuring compliance with UNFPA rules and procedures. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: – Assist in developing and implementing partnership engagement strategies to align with UNFPA’s priorities, – Support the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, donor reports, and communications materials to enhance visibility and knowledge sharing, – Conduct due diligence assessments and support the management of agreements (e.g., FLAs, MOUs) with partners, – Monitor and review partnership performance, including progress reports, to ensure objectives are met, – Research potential donors and funding opportunities to support resource mobilization efforts, – Coordinate capacity-building initiatives for partners and staff, including onboarding sessions, training, and workshops, – Collaborate with the communications team to ensure timely acknowledgment of donor contributions and consistent messaging, – Liaise with finance and technical teams to track and manage partner contributions effectively. In addition to the above, Young UN Volunteers are encouraged to: – Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading the documentation made available by UNV, external publications and taking an active part in UNV activities, for example getting involved in activities commemorating International Volunteer Day (IVD) on each December 5. – Become familiar with and develop all forms of traditional and/or local volunteering in the host country. – Reflect the type and nature of voluntary actions they undertake, including their participation in substantive reflections. – Contribute to the drafting of articles on field experiences to be submitted for UNV publications/website, newsletter, and press notes, etc. – Contribute to the welcoming newly arrived UN Volunteers in the country of assignment. – Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteers or encourage individuals and organizations to use online volunteer services where technically possible.

Competencies and values

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Leadership Managing Performance Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Vision Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

The volunteer will be based in Bujumbura, depending on the needs of the operation, and will carry out field missions if necessary. The duration of the assignment is 12 months, renewable depending on funding availability, operational necessity and/or satisfactory performance. Burundi straddles Central and East Africa. It is surrounded by the United Republic of Tanzania to the east and south, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and Rwanda to the north. It is landlocked but has a large shoreline on Lake Tanganyika. Since February 4, 2019, Gitega has been designated as the political capital, while Bujumbura has become the economic capital. With a population of around 12 million spread over an area of 27,834 km², Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. Burundi’s economy is essentially rural, based on agriculture and livestock farming. The agricultural sector employs 90% of the population and is therefore the main employer in the Burundian economy. In terms of security, Burundi is classified by the UNDSS as a family duty station. However, caution is still relevant in the capital Bujumbura and in the interior of the country. According to UNDSS recommendations, volunteers can work throughout the country, observing the security measures to which all UN personnel, including UN Volunteers, must adhere. In Bujumbura and the provinces, there are hospitals and pharmacies, hotels, stores, restaurants, gymnasiums, and entertainment centers. A monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), intended to cover accommodation, basic needs, and utilities (water, electricity, etc.) will be paid to the volunteer. The UN Volunteer is also entitled to a settling-in allowance (SIG) (if applicable); medical insurance (with up to 3 dependents), disability insurance and life insurance. Return travel to the place of recruitment (if applicable) will be provided and a Resettlement Allowance (RSA) after satisfactory service will be paid (if applicable). Burundi is a unique country and offers an interesting and rewarding environment, but also requires an advanced level of cultural awareness and more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Consequently, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in difficult and potentially dangerous conditions, involving physical hardship and few comforts, are essential.”

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements