Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone supports the United Nations system through its integrated offer, using a people-first approach centred on the โleave no one behindโ principle, and a human rights- and area-based development strategy. In alignment with the 2030 Agenda, National Development Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the African Union Agenda 2063, the programme seeks to reduce multidimensional poverty and enhance justice, peace, social cohesion, and resilience with its focus on two pillars: (a) People-centred sustainable development and resilience, prioritising peopleโs well-being and planetary health and (b) Inclusive governance, peace, and prosperity, embodying harmonious development, effective resource management, and equitable governance. Furthermore, the UNDP comparative advantage includes leveraging global and regional partnerships, working across economic, social, and environmental goals, strengthening good governance, and providing technical and policy-oriented support, all while ensuring national ownership for sustainable outcomes.
ContextThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to enhance the capacity of implementing partners in results-based management, evaluation, and social and environmental standards to optimize development outcomes. However, to strengthen local ownership, enhance responsiveness to community needs, and promote the efficient delivery of project interventions, there is a need for UNDP to deploy dedicated community focal points, which will serve as UN Volunteers in each targeted district. These volunteers will serve as the vital link between district authorities and the project team. They will ensure smooth information flow, timely feedback, and alignment of activities with local priorities. In addition, they will facilitate community mobilization, awareness-raising, and stakeholder engagement in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Team and its implementing partners. Against this backdrop, UNDP Country Office in Sierra Leone seeks to recruit six (6) national UN Community Volunteers, to be deployed across 6 districts across (Bo, Falaba, Kenema, Bonthe, Western Rural & Urban) in Sierra Leone
Task DescriptionThe district Community Coordinator will maintain a strong interface with community structures, partners, and other project staff to ensure there is improved, expanded, and sustainable project activities in the targeted communities. The district Community Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day field monitoring, data collection, and reporting of UNDP project interventions. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) lead, and working in close coordination with United Nations Development Programme country office (UNDP CO) programme specialists, partners (Government, CSOs, Community leaders), consultants, youth networks, etc. the UN Community Volunteer's key duties will include: Community Mobilization & Engagement โช Serve as the primary liaison between the UNDP project team/ consultants, community structures/committees, local community, and district authorities. โช Facilitate communication and collaboration among the project team/contractors to ensure coordinated project implementation. โช Actively participate in solving any social issues /problems or challenges that may arise during the project implementation. โช Engage with local communities and other district stakeholders to ensure their involvement and buy-in throughout the project lifecycle. โช Address local communities and district stakeholder concerns and their feedback, and report to district councils & UNDP CO Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting โช Conduct onsite monitoring and verification of past and ongoing initiatives and document the progress, issues, challenges, risks, and lessons learned. โช Collect and support analysis of data to inform the Country Office (CO) on evidence-based decision-making. โช Support the needs assessments and baseline studies in target communities. โช Support in administering surveys, focus groups, and participatory assessments. โช Collecting quantitative and qualitative data to measure project relevance, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. โช Collect feedback from the beneficiaries and report to UNDP. โช Draft reports, case studies, and success stories to showcase project relevance and impact. โช Provide support to evaluators to organize interviews, focus group discussions, and observation during the evaluation data collection.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Creativity โข Judgement and decision-making โข Planning and organising โข Professionalism โข Self-management
Living conditions and remarksOutside the capital city Freetown, Sierra Leoneโs districts present a mix of urban, semi-urban, and rural settings. Towns and district headquarters generally offer access to basic services such as markets, schools, and health facilities, though the range and quality of amenities can vary. Rural and remote communities may have more limited infrastructure, with transportation, electricity, and internet connectivity less reliable than in urban areas. Livelihoods are often centered on agriculture, trade, and small-scale enterprises. Social life is community-oriented, with strong cultural traditions and welcoming local populations.