Monday, June 22, 2009

UNDP, INTERNATIONAL PROJECT ASSISTANT, Deadline 03 July 2009

CONSULTANT: INTERNATIONAL PROJECT ASSISTANT
Location : Dili, Timor Leste, Timor Leste
Application Deadline :03-Jul-09
Additional CategoryCrisis Prevention and Recovery
Type of Contract :SSA
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)17-Jul-2009

Duration of Initial Contract :Three Months
Expected Duration of Assignment :Three Months

Apply Now

Background
The April/May 2006 upheaval resulted in losses in human lives and property. 30 deaths and 5,000 destroyed or damaged houses were recorded in Dili and the districts causing the forced displacement of an estimated number of 150,000 people. The situation deteriorated again following the successful Presidential and Parliamentary elections in April/June 2007 when violence irrupted in Dili and the districts leading to further destruction and homelessness. The social, economic, historical, institutional and political context played a major role in the escalation. Recurrent crises have significantly affected the recovery momentum. Unemployment and poverty increased sharply throughout the country and the conflict threatened much of the hard-earned social and economic gains achieved since independence. Overcoming the dual effect of social disharmony and economic decline is a significant challenge for a young nation such as Timor-Leste. The political will is crucial for buttressing diligent development efforts undertaken by both the emerging Timorese institutions, and society at large, and the international community.

The new Government came to power in September 2007 with the ambition to resolve the crisis and the impulse of a renewed energy for addressing its root causes and re-launching the recovery process. Central to the success of the Government’s efforts will be its ability to reform the Security Sector.

The Security Sector Review in Timor-LesteProject has now expanded significantly from its initial inception growing from a one year one million dollar review project to a multi year four million dollar capacity building and review project. The capacity building aspects have grown following new financial support from the European Union (€1.65 million) and the Irish Government (€200,000). With the increasing efforts, the number of projects under taken by Security Sector Review Project with the Government of Timor-Leste and the increase in donor reporting requirements the SSR team would deeply benefit from getting the short-term assistance of an International Project Assistant who has familiarity with Timor-Leste, UNDP procedures, the UNMIT Mission and most importantly knowledge and learning of Security Sector Reform.

Supervision

For the purpose of supporting the implementation of the Security Sector Review, the International Project Assistant will report to UNDP Management through the Security Sector Review in Timor-Leste Project Manager, his/ her direct supervisor.. The International Project Assistant will work closely with the National SSR Coordinating Committee, the UNMIT SSSU as well as the UNDP Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit.


Duties and Responsibilities
Under overall direction of the Executive Board of the Legal Training Centre (LTC), the Lawyer Lecturer will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Justice System Programme through the Training Coordinator of the LTC. The incumbent will contribute to the design and development of training plans for the specialized courses for lawyers and other courses conducted at the LTC. He/she will be responsible for the implementation of the training plans through lecturing, coaching and evaluating the students, applying his/her specific experience as a judicial actor and using pedagogic methods. The Lawyer-Lecturer will provide advice to the Training Coordinator and the CEO on the general implementation of the training.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The work of the International Project Assistant will address the key areas of information management and access, including:

1. Provide efficient executive and administrative support to the SSR Project.
2. In cooperation with national and international colleagues under the supervision of the project manager support the implementation and technical/ financial monitoring of specific sub-projects linked to the security sector review and capacity development projects. This might include work with other UN organisations, the Government or NGO’s.
3. Work closely with the SSR Advisor to Committee B in Parliament and with partner intuitions on strengthening the capacity of the Committee in exercising its oversight of the security sector.
4. Prepare documents for the Project Management Board and take minutes of Board meetings.
5. Organise, coordinate and report on conferences and meetings for the SSR Project.
6. Establish priorities and plan, coordinate and monitor the SSR Project work plan.
7. Where necessary, organize and accompany the Project Manager of SSR Project on official domestic and international visits to provide executive support.
8. Work with National employees and help to develop their knowledge of UN and UNDP rules and procedures.
9. Ensure consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures.
10. Perform any other task as may be required under SSR project.

Outputs

The key results have a direct impact on the overall response and support of the Country Office to the Security Sector Review and Reform process in Timor Leste. Accurate analysis and the coordination and monitoring of the Security Sector Review in Timor-Leste work plan enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner and allows it to regularly re-align its approach with contextual variations. The assistance provided facilitates decision-making by the National SSR Coordinating Committee, the UNMIT SSSU as well as the UNDP Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit. The incumbent shall be responsible for the following:

* Ensure proper documentation and establish a soft and hard management information system;
* Develop and keep a regular monitoring framework for the SSR project and each of its sub-specific activities implemented by UN organisations, Government and NGOs during the assignment;
* Report on support to capacity development, namely, Committee B and national staff;
* Keep an updated work plan for the SSR project and each of its sub-specific activities implemented by UN organisations, Government and NGOs during the assignment.

A final report including all the above shall be submitted upon the completion of the assignment.


Competencies

* Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills;
* Strong negotiating and managerial skills to be able to work both independently and as a member of a team;
* Excellent networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships;
* Cross-cultural management experience and sensitivity;
* High level planning, organisational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines
* Well developed interpersonal skills , including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels
* Analytical and problem solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and policy advice desirable
* Demonstrated capacity to work both independently and in a team environment



Required Skills and Experience

* Master’s Degree or equivalent in public relations, law, human rights, political or social sciences, or comparable academic preparation.
* At least two years of relevant experience in developing countries
* Experience in Timor-Leste & knowledge of the current political context is a strong advantage.
* Familiarity with UNDP procedures and the UNMIT Mission.
* International experience as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work and handle stressful conditions.
* Previous experience of working with the Government of Timor-Leste and knowledge of the Security Sector Reform.
* Fluency in English
* Computer literacy.

Desirable Requirements

* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work and handle stressful conditions.
* Working knowledge of Portuguese or Tetum is an asset.


Please submit your applications together with curriculum vitae and relevant supporting documents to the following address:


Human Resources Unit

United Nations Development Programme

Obrigado Barracks Compound, Building 11

Caicoli Street,

Dili, Timor-Leste

Fax: +670 3313534

E-mail: personnel.tp@undp.org