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Featuring…Banda AcehDecember 2006Recruitment at UNV Banda AcehConfidence, commitment, adaptability and astrong volunteer spirit were key personalcharacteristics assessed by concernedparties before appointing Namibian bornMetumo Tuilikka as an international UNVAssistant Field Security CoordinationOfficer.Her educational background and workexperience, that includes 14 years servingwith the Namibian Military and Police forces,made her one of the most eligiblecandidates for the post with the UnitedNations Department for Safety & Security(UNDSS) in Banda Aceh.Amongst other duties, she would beresponsible for preparing, maintaining andupdating a duty station specific security planand assisting UN agencies in developingand implementing office security andemergency measures.However, before being assigned to the hostagency, Metumo, likewise any other UNVvolunteer applicant, had to follow a numberof steps as part of the recruitment process.“I always wanted to become a volunteer tohelp people. That is why in the year 2001,after consulting UNV's website, I submittedmy Personal History Statement Form (PHS)to the Cyprus Offshore Processing Centrein order to be included on their roster”Metumo explains.The Centre appraises applications andmaintains a database of eligible candidates,that must be at least 25 years of age. Thewaiting period to be assigned as a UNVvolunteer can vary from two months to twoyears. However, the inclusion on the rosterdoes not guarantee a UNV assignment.“UNV initiates the recruitment processfollowing an expressed request from a widerange of partners. These could be UNagencies, non governmental andcommunity-based organizations” explainsUNV Project Coordinator Walia SKL, thefocal point in Aceh for facilitating therecruitment process in the Sumatra region.“Once a required position is identified andafter writing down the 'terms of reference',the job vacancy is advertised through UNV’swebsite or locally by word of mouth. In thecase of International assignments, we getsupport from our Head Quarters in Bonnwhich forward us all relevant Resumes forthat specific position. Then, the short listingbegins” Walia elaborates.Metumo was one of five candidatesselected for an Interview that was conductedvia telephone from Jakarta. “Two peoplecalled me and for a period of about twentyminutes asked me several questions. I knewI met all the requirements but I was alsoaware that there were other applicantsbesides me” she recalls.When interviewing national or internationalcandidates the potential employers look intotheir educational background, personalcharacteristics, motivation and commitmentamong other aspects. Since assignments inBanda Aceh are mainly in the field, eligiblecandidates are those who are not afraid tomeet challenges.The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that supports sustainable humandevelopment globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. It was createdby the UN General Assembly in 1970 to serve as an operational partner in development cooperation at the request ofUN member states and is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).