The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme in Namibia is pursuing the national recognition of volunteers for peace and development, encouraging the integration of volunteerism into development programmes, and promoting the mobilization of increasing numbers and greater diversity of volunteers contributing to peace and development. The major highlight of its work is to support government’s efforts in the formulation of a National Policy on Volunteerism. Equally important are its advocacy activities aimed at popularizing the utilization of the volunteerism modality as an development asset. Find below information on the number of volunteers, how to volunteer, news and resources as well as UNV volunteers voices on various issues.

b.Number of volunteers,

As at January 2010, Namibia had 32 UNV assignments in institutions that include: The Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN), United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Present utilisers of UNV volunteers include: Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the President (National Planning Commission), Ministry of Education, Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV and AIDS in Africa (AMICAALL); Namibian Nature Foundation (NNF), Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (ORC), UNESCO, MLGHRD, Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare, UNHCR and Lux-Development

c.Roles of UNV volunteers assignments

The roles played by UNV volunteers vary from institution to institution based on specific needs.  Listed below are examples of roles - both catalytic and synergetic - undertaken by UNV Volunteers in Namibia:

• Rendering technical support; providing technical expertise to development projects in a variety of sectors, including, health and nutrition, disaster management, HIV/AIDS, planning, agriculture, population and environmental management.
• Facilitating networking and information exchange; assisting policy dialogue and informing/influencing policy making bodies at local and national levels by creating linkages between and among a variety of actors, including CBOs, NGOs, local authorities and national Governments.
• Supporting community-based initiatives; mobilising and promoting local volunteer efforts to motivate and assist self-help development; strengthening organisational capacities of  CBOs and NGOs through needs-analysis, management, and leadership training; and articulating needs of communities with the aim of translating their needs into workable plans and actions.
• Providing assistance in humanitarian relief situations; communicating and co-ordinating information flow of field conditions from local communities to international agencies to strengthen ongoing activities.
• Mainstreaming gender, human rights and HIV/AIDS; facilitating the mobilisation of local women stakeholders toward equal and active participation in project and programme activities.
• Transferring skills; teaching and transferring valuable learning experiences

d.Categories and Qualifications of UNV volunteers

There are two main UNV volunteers’ categories: UNV specialists and UNV field workers. The minimum requirements for the two categories are the following:

National UNV specialist

• Academic credentials (Bachelor's, Master's, doctorate, or technical award). In certain trades, substantial practical experience may substitute;
• Several years of relevant working experience following qualification, preferably five or more;
• Minimum 25 years old;
• Good communication skills; and
• Ability to speak, read and write the national language. Knowledge of local languages/dialects an asset. A good working knowledge of one or more of the UN languages.

National UNV field workers

• Basic education: secondary school certificate, BAC or equivalent;
• Technical skills: professional/trade with related diploma and experience;
• Skills in community development;
• 2 years of minimum relevant working experience;
• Minimum 21 years old;
• Good communication skills; and
• Good written and spoken command of the working language required for the post. Knowledge of national language an asset.

e.How to volunteer?

• How to apply as a national UNV volunteer?

Namibians interested in volunteering in their country should send applications to :

      UNV Programme Officer

      UN House, UNDP, 38 Stein Street,

      Private Bag 13329

      Klein Windhoek,

      Namibia

 How to apply to be an international UNV volunteer?

However, if interested in volunteering in other countries please visit the UNV global website www.unvolunteers.organd apply online. The following is the direct link to the page http://www.unv.org/how-to-volunteer.html

• How to apply to be an online volunteer?

Also note that you can volunteer over the Internet without any need to travel. Through the UNV Online Volunteering service, volunteers can take action for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations over the Internet.

For information about how to become an online volunteer and about the UNV Online Volunteering service, visit the Online Volunteering service website.

f.News and Resources,

UNV Programme in Namibia publishes e-Newsletters.  Enjoy reading of the following:

1. Newsletters

2009:

• Issue 1 of 2009
• Issue 2 of 2009
• Issue 3 of 2009

2010

• Issue 1 of 2010 

1. UNV volunteers voices
2. Copenhagen Summit MacDonald Kadzatsa The direct link to the story is http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/climate-action-to-boost.html

• Understanding HIV/AIDS in the public sector- Mr. James Etuwat- http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/understanding-hivaids-in-the.html

g.Administrative forms for UNV volunteers

• Leave application form
• Van Breda Form
• Final Clearance form

h.Partnership overview

The UNV Programme works in partnership with a number of institutions at the national level. These include: The Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN), other United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

• Funding UNV volunteers

The following institutions utilize UNV volunteers and some of them fund UNV assignments:

• Office of the Prime Minister,
• Office of the President (National Planning Commission),
• Ministry of Education,
• Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV and AIDS in Africa
• Namibian Nature Foundation,
• Office of the UN Resident Coordinator,
• UNESCO,
• Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Rural Development;
• Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare,
• UNHCR and
• Lux-Development

• Joint Activities
• International Volunteer Day (IVD) celebrations

UNV also collaborates with many organisations in celebrating the International Volunteer Day (IVD). In 2008 and 2009, it collaborated with VSO, NANGOF Trust, National Planning Commission, National Youth Service, National Youth Council, Ministry of Health and Social Services, UNESCO among others.

• Advocacy for the formulation of the volunteerism policy

UNV joined hands with other Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) to support efforts of the government to formulate and implement a National Policy on volunteerism. There are many organisations involved in this advocacy work.

i.UNV Programme contacts

Mr. Obert Chinhamo, UNV Programme Officer

e-mail: obert.chinhamo@undp.org

Tel (direct): +264 61 204 6209

Ms. Yeshi Katjikonde, UNV Country Operations Assistant

e-mail: yeshi.katjikonde@undp.org

Tel (direct): +264 61 204 6225