Kenya

"UN NEIGHBOURHOOD EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER SCHEME: 14-15 MAY"

In 2008, The United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Volunteers in collaboration with the Government of Kenya launched the Emergency Volunteer Scheme in the three Nairobi districts on 22, 23, 25 February 2008. During the commitment ceremony for the neighbourhood volunteers scheme in Nairobi, the Minister of state for Special Programmes Hon. Naomi Shabaan, underlined the need to extend the scheme to other hot spot areas in Kenya. UNV and UNDP launched the scheme in Uasin Gishu district on 14 May and in Nakuru district on 15 May. These, two are among some of the 21 districts earmarked for this initiative. Anchoring on volunteerism the scheme is one of the practical initiatives contributing to the promotion of conflict resolution, peace building and supporting the delivery of services in Kenya after the post election crisis.

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FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT NEIGHBOURHOOD VOLUNTEERS

33 neighbourhood volunteers from three districts in Nairobi province; Kibera, Mathare North, Dandora, who participated in the Emergency Volunteer Scheme training from 27-29 February 2008 have already commenced their work. Also an additional 120 neighbourhood volunteers from Uasin Gishu, Nakuru and Kericho from Rift valley province who received training from 24-26 April 2008 are working among their respective communities.

Specialised trainers from the three districts, carried out an orientation programme and trained the neighbourhood volunteers on what will be expected of them especially on being non-partisan while executing their duties. The training focused on empowering the volunteers to promote a culture of peace and nationhood. As the scheme rolls out, a continuous training approach shall be adopted - to further enhance the volunteer's skills in conflict resolution and transformation, handling trauma and peace-building, community security and control of proliferation of small/crude arms as well as handling humanitarian response and early recovery.

REQUIREMENT TO BECOME A UN VOLUNTEER

- Age: 25 +
- Education: University degree in any given field
- Professional work experience: 3-5 years
- Fluency in one or more of the five UN languages preferably in English and French
- Good health
- Commitment and interest to supporting the efforts of the others

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

If you have the relevant education and experience and are interested in applying please check out the recruitment process on the global website by following the link " how to become a UNV" or send your CV to cvs.unvkenya@gmail.com at the UNV country office.