UNDP, Administration and Finance Assistant, Deadline February 03, 2010.

Vacancy Announcement                                           

Project Title: Local Governance Support Programme (LGSP)

Post title: Administration and Finance Assistant  

Duty station: Dili, Timor – Leste

Duration: 1 year (with possible extension)

Expected start date: February 2010

Type of Contract: Service Contract

SC Level: SB-3

Organizational Unit: UNDP/UNCDF. Governance Unit

Entitles/Benefits: Please obtain from the UNDP Human Resources Unit

Background

The Local Governance Support Programme (LGSP) is a joint UNDP-UNCDF endeavor, building upon the achievements of two previous projects in the area of decentralization and local governance. LGSP has the primary objective of supporting the establishment of a fully-fledged and effective local government system in Timor-Leste, and will do so by:

(I)                 Providing policy-relevant lessons from pilot activities;

(II)              Assisting the Government in formulating a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for local government; and

(III)            Supporting implementation of local government reforms.

Through achieving its primary objective, LGSP will thus contribute towards improving infrastructure and service delivery, thus fostering democratic governance and reducing poverty in Timor-Leste. The Project commenced in early 2007 and will operate until 2011.

UNDP and UNCDF are implementing the LGSP in close coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Management (MSATM). The Project Management Unit (PMU) is housed in National Directorate for Local Development and Territorial Management (DNDLOT) in MSATM. Through this advertisement, UNDP now would like to recruit Administration and Finance Assistant  .

Scope of Work/Summary of Functions

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Administration and Finance Assistant will carry out administrative and financial functions in the following areas:

• Exchange of official correspondence related to project activities.
• Prepare documentation for discussions and briefing sessions. 
• Maintain office filling system, prepare minutes of the meetings.
• Assist in developing project budget and prepare necessary documentation to activate revised budget and on regular monitoring of implementation progress and financial disbursement.
• Provide monthly/quarterly financial report on project budget.
• Prepare advance payment request/other payment requests.
• Regularly monitor the financial transactions to maintain project financial account in order.
• Manage petty cash for office management as required in line with UNDP’s processes.  
• Work on ATLAS system to raise requisition, voucher payment and travel authorization.
• Process salary payments and travel settlements.
• Maintain receipts of payments.
• Assist procurement for goods and services and personnel matters.
• Liaise with CO (Country Director’s Office, Deputy Country Director for Operations, Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, Travel, and UN CAO, MOVCON and other offices in relation to all project documentation and requests;
• Perform other financial and administrative tasks as required by Project Manager. 

Place of Assignment, Supervision and reporting

The Administration and Finance Assistant shall be based in the LGSP Office in MSATO. S/he will be under the supervision of, and report to the Project Manager.

Qualification and Experiences

1.      Secondary education;

2.      5 to 7 years of relevant office work experience;

3.      Obtain formal training in the functional area

4.      Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets;

5.      Good oral and written communication skills in English is essential;

6.      Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset;

7.      Experience working for UN agencies;

8.      Honest and trustworthy;

9.      Excellent interpersonal skills;

10.  Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without comprising quality, team spirit and positive working relationship;

11.  Able to work in multi-cultural environment;

12.  Able to innovate and work under pressure.

Please submit your application, clearly indicating the position you are applying for, Curriculum Vitae and other relevant supporting documents to the following address:

Human Resources Unit

UNDP, Building 11,

UN House, Caicoli Street

Dili, Timor Leste

Email: personel.tp@undp.org

The deadline for submitting applications is 3 February 2010.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Women candidates are strongly encourage to apply for this post.

UNDP, National Programme Officer (Gender), Deadline February 02, 2010.

Position Title: National Programme Officer (Gender)

Duty Station: Dili, Timor-Leste

Duration: One (1) Year, Extendable

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Expected Start date: March 2010

Level: SB-4

Organizational Unit: UNDP

Entitlement/Benefits: Please obtain from Human Resources Unit

Organizational Context

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Gender Advisor, the National Programme Officer (Gender) analyzes gender issues in the economic, social and political spheres in Timor-Leste and leads the formulation, management and evaluation of UNDP Timor-Leste strategy and action plan to promote gender equality and to empower women in the country in line with the national priorities and with UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy, 2008-2011 and Eight-Point Agenda for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Crisis Prevention and Recovery.

The National Programme Officer (Gender) supports the gender strategy and action plan of UNDP Timor-Leste in all stages of the programming cycle. The National Programme Officer (Gender) likewise supports the Deputy Country Director for Operations in implementing the UNDP policy for Gender Parity and Diversity.

The National Programme Officer (Gender) works in close coordination with programme staff in other UN Agencies in Timor-Leste as well as the in UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok and UNDP Headquarters in New York, particularly those dealing on gender concerns.

The Senior Gender Advisor of UNDP Timor-Leste will guide and advice the National Programme Officer (Gender) in the performance of his/her functions and supports the enhancement of his/her capacity development.

Principal functions:

1.      Supports the Senior Gender Advisor in the formulation of UNDP Timor-Leste gender strategy and action plan through a process that is participatory and consultative and that involves UNDP programme and operations staff as well as national partners and stakeholders, with the following expected results:

q          Thorough research and analysis of gender issues in the political, social and economic spheres in the country and the identification, prioritization and conceptualization of areas for support by UNDP Timor-Leste to promote gender equality and empower vulnerable women in the country.

q          CO gender strategy and action plan which translates the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy, 2008 - 2011 and Eight-Point Agenda for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Crisis Prevention and Recovery into local interventions in line with national priorities.

q          Participative or collaborative preparation of the annual country office gender action plan based on approved gender strategy and leading to results at both programme and operations levels.

q          Preparation of substantive gender-related inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.

2.      Tracks the implementation of the gender strategy and action plan in collaboration with UNDP Strategic Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation Unit towards the effective integration of the gender perspective throughout the programming cycle of UNDP Timor-Leste and for quality control of country programme implementation particularly the gender-focused components in order to achieve the following results:

q          Application of knowledge and tools on gender mainstreaming, including sex-disaggregated and gender-sensitive indicators and data, in support of project and programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

q          Initiation of gender- or women-focused projects, presentation to Project Appraisal Committee, finalization of contribution agreement; initiation of implementation, recruitment of project staff, and preparation of annual work plan; determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises; monitoring of project and its closure.

q          The National Programme Officer (Gender) functions at Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval for projects under her/his direct responsibility, participates in recruitment processes for these projects, and participates in the RCA review of project staff.

q          Participation in the substantive monitoring and evaluation of the entire UNDP country programme, particularly in regard to progress towards outputs under the UNDP Timor-Leste gender strategy, and recommendations for enhancing contributions of projects and programmes to gender equality results.

q          Preparation of inputs for reporting, including donor reporting, with particular focus on gender-related activities, outputs and results.

3.      Provides substantive or technical advice to Programme units and Operations teams in their implementation of the gender strategy and action plan in partnership with the Senior Gender Advisor in order to achieve the following expected results:

q          Conduct of workshops and clinics with Programme units and project management teams to ensure successful implementation of the UNDP Timor-Leste gender strategy and action plan across the programme portfolios.

q          Conduct workshops and clinics with the Operations teams to ensure successful implementation of the gender strategy and action plan towards gender parity in UNDP Timor-Leste and gender awareness of all male and female staff.

q          Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on gender issues and responses across UNDP practice areas and operations/management competencies.

4.      Leads the UNDP approach to knowledge management and sharing on its gender mainstreaming practice by ensuring the following expected results:

q          Documenting experiences in gender mainstreaming in all of UNDP Timor-Leste programme, activities and practices, including in human resource management, and drawing lessons learned.

q          Sharing lessons learned, tools developed and other resources produced in the course of UNDP Timor-Leste gender practice with national partners and communities of practice in UNDP in the region and globally.

q          Professional growth through active learning.

5.      Supports the Senior Gender Advisor and the DCD a.i. (Programme) in the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy  on gender equality and women’s empowerment to ensure achievement of the following results:

q          Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new gender- or women-focused projects, and active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

q          Networking with counterparts in donor agencies for information and experience sharing as well as collaboration and convergence of initiatives in support of national priorities on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in political or social sciences or related fields of study. Master’s Degree an asset.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing advisory services and hands-on experience in gender advocacy and training as well as in mainstreaming gender in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based management systems.
• Fluency in English and Tetum. Portuguese proficiency an asset.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications together with curriculum vitae, P11, and relevant supporting documents to the following address:

Human Resources Unit

UNDP Dili,

UN House, Caicoli Street

Dili, Timor Leste

Email: personnel.tp@undp.org

The deadline for submitting applications is 2 February 2010.

Only short listed candidates will be notified.

Trocaire, Consultant, Deadline January 28, 2010.

Call for Applications

Trocaire (Caritas Ireland) is currently seeking a consultant to undertake a final evaluation of its 3 year livelihoods programme in Timor-Leste. The consultancy will run for 4 weeks between 22 February and 19 March 2010. Trocaire’s partnership approach is to fund local NGOs within Timor-Leste, rather than undertake direct implementation with communities.  Currently 14 local NGOs and local government commissions are funded through Trocaire’s livelihoods programme, however as many as 18 organizations have been involved during the 3 years of the current programme (2007-2010). Trocaire has been supporting partners in Timor-Leste since 2000.

Trocaire seeks a consultant who can work with Trocaire and its local partner organizations to assess the impact of Trocaire’s programming on local partner communities in Timor-Leste and their livelihoods.

Any applicants will be expected to:

·         Speak and write fluently in English

·         speak either Tetum or Bahasa Indonesia

·         have experience working in Timor Leste

·         have a strong livelihoods background

·         have experience in working with local organizations

·         have experience in undertaking programme level evaluations with INGOs

·         apply a gender analysis to the design and implementation of the evaluation

·         travel to districts within Timor-Leste

Preference will be given to applicants who:

·         speak Tetum

·         are currently living or working within Timor Leste

·         have a background in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) or Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM)

·         have a background in Permaculture or sustainable agriculture

The consultancy will run for 4 weeks (20 days) between 22 February and 19 March 2010. The final evaluation report will be submitted after this 4 week period. All applicants should submit a CV in English (including referees)  by email to amcclean@trocairetl.org no later than Thursday, 28 January, 2010. Any inquiries can also be forwarded to the same address.

ADB, Community Consultations for Rural Development (Ermera Area).

Community Consultations for Rural Development /

Livelihood Enhancement and Peace Building

Background

Timor-Leste has made significant progress since independence in 2002. It has a reasonable rate of growth, rising oil revenues and large aid flows yet it remains a fragile situation characterized by persistent poverty, internal instability and deteriorating access to services. Most of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, infrastructure is poor, and agricultural production is very low. Hardship was compounded through civil unrest in mid 2006 that led to a break down in law and order and widespread population displacement. There has since been progress in addressing issues such as petitioners (former soldiers alleging discrimination), return of displaced people, and security sector reform. However, society, especially in the rural areas, is strongly segmented according to ethnic roots, clan ties and colonial ties and when overlaid with the struggle for independence and resettlement, traditional and elected power bases and political affiliations, the potential for conflict remains significant.

Following a request by the Government of Timor-Leste, ADB is exploring the options to rehabilitate the water containing structures of the Eraluo Lake located in Ermera District, about 30 km away from the capital city of Dili. The Lake used to be a natural lake, and in early 1990's two low dams were constructed to contain water for leisure and irrigation purposes. Currently, the lake is silted, the structures are broken, and a leakage and an overflow from one of the dams created a serious soil erosion problem near the lake. Communities around the lake would like the dams are rehabilitated so that the lake can contain water all around year for fish ponds, horticulture and eco-tourism, thus diversifying livelihoods and income generating opportunities. Currently, most households are engaging in subsistence farming and coffee which needs productivity improvement to address food security issues and low yields.

Ermera district hosted several camps for internally displaced people from the 2006 conflict when 37 people were killed, around 3,000 houses were destroyed and over 2,000 severely damaged, and an estimated 150,000 people were displaced. The causes of the crisis included political rivalries, divisions between “easterners” and “westerners,” but also chronic poverty and a large and disempowered youth population. Over 64 percent of Ermera's population is less than 25 years old. Poor access to education and health and lack of employment opportunities outside agriculture has created a large number of unemployed and underemployed youth, and there are increasing concerns that this may contribute to further violence and civil unrest. Ermera was a significant focus of violence and political activity during the problems of 2006. In Ermera the Democratic Party (PD) has stronger local support than Fretilin. A PD supporter was killed in Ermera during the 2006 violence and tension around this issue remains. In addition, there are several martial arts groups that contributed to a violent clash in 2007 when 11 people were killed and over 70 houses were burnt down. Compared to many other rural areas Ermera levels of income are more variable. Farmers in the high hills receive an average income of $200 per year from coffee the only major export of Timor-Leste. Social identities are quite localized in Ermera and competition for benefits from government and donor programmes is very high.

Potential conflict is a major risk for any development intervention in this area, and in order to ensure that program activities not only take a do-no-harm approach but also promote peace building among community members through development activities, community participation is crucial. Meaningful community participation in the program design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation will contribute to greater ownership of the program by the community and ensure more effective and successful program implementation. Carefully designed community consultations will provide opportunity to promote mutual understanding and consensus among different groups within community, thus contributing to stability and peace. With a perspective of an integrated rural development program in selected districts in Timor- Leste including Ermera, ADB will pilot a conflict sensitive, peace building approach in community consultation and participation for the Eraluo Lake rehabilitation. The design and implementation of such a conflict sensitive consultation process will additionally provide important lessons and methodologies, not only further interventions in Ermera, but also for future ADB projects in Timor-Leste as well as ADB programs in other fragile, post-conflict situations.

Objective of the Assistance

To strengthen the design and implementation of the proposed Ermera Livelihoods and Productivity Project through the development and testing of a pilot conflict sensitive consultation process.

Implementation Arrangements

Two consultants, an international Social Development Specialist and a local Community

Development Specialist will be recruited under the RETA-7269 Supporting ADB’s Engagement in Fragile Situations to undertake the consultations. Additional technical backstopping will be provided by the Coordinator of the RETA. The terms of reference of the two experts are outlined below. Implementation will take place for 6 weeks from January 2010.

NB. A pre-feasibility assessment will be conducted by a water resource management specialist and an environment specialist to assess the dam failure factors and determine approaches that would ensure technical soundness and environmental sustainability in the rehabilitation of the Lake Eraluo. The community consultation team would also work closely with the pre-feasibility team in facilitating community engagement and feedback and ensure that the work of prefeasibility team is well informed with inputs from different stakeholders and interests and well communicated to the community. The pre-feasibility assessment will inform more in-depth assessments that will be conducted under a Project Preparation Technical Assistance. The community consultation work will contribute to the project preparation process as well as project design by identifying conflict factors and appropriate consultation approaches and methods.

Consultant Terms of Reference - Community Development Specialist

This consultant working under the supervision of the Social Development Specialist will support the development and implementation of the community consultation process in particular ensuring that the process addresses local conflict sensitivities and social norms, identifying and liaising with relevant informants and leading field consultation work. The Community Development Specialist will:

1. Support the Social Development Specialist to undertake the desk research including identification of relevant documents, identification of key informants, interviewing key informants and reviewing and summarizing key documents particularly information in Tetum language.
2. Assist the Social Development Specialist in liaison with MSS on conflict mapping and lead the fieldwork on conflict assessment/conflict mapping including the provision of technical and logistical support.
3. Support the water resource management specialist (working under a separate mission) to identify key stakeholders in respect of the Eraulo Lake rehabilitation. Together with the Social Development Specialist and Water Resource Management Specialist identify the consultation needs in respect of the pre-feasibility assessment of the Eraulo Lake rehabilitation.
4. Support the Social Development Specialist in the development of a conflict sensitive plan for community consultations that will identify priority needs and provide feedback on potential areas of interventions under the proposed project. In particular undertake a stakeholder analysis and ensure the cultural appropriateness and logistical feasibility of the consultation plan.
5. Conduct community consultations (with support from dialogue teams if feasible) that encompass key stakeholder groups including minority groups (women, youth, returned IDPs, elder, landless farmers, etc.), local formal and informal leaders, local businesses, community based groups etc.
6. Contribute to the reporting process as proposed by the Social Development Specialist including
• a socio-economic brief of the communities around the Earulo Lake,
• a summary conflict mapping and assessment of conflict issues in relevant communities
• proposed design and process for conflict sensitive community consultations;
• findings from community consultations including community concerns, acceptance and conditions for proposed rehabilitation work and process as input to water resource management specialist and environment specialist,
• lessons learned and recommended activities and approaches to be integrated into the future project for peace promoting rural development.

Experience: at least 5 years (for international) of relevant experience in applying community development, rapid rural appraisal, gender analysis, conflict mapping, and various participatory approaches. Proficiency in Tetum language required.

Additional Support

As well as direct inputs from the hired consultants, support in the form of technical backstopping will be provided by the Fragile Situations Support Team. This could include (but is not restricted to) a support visit by the TA Coordinator (RETA 7269) towards the end of the assistance to facilitate lessons learned, the provision of ongoing distant support to the consultants on the development and implementation of the consultation and monitoring of the impact of the consultancy. The exact details of the additional support will be agreed between the Focal Point for Engagement in Fragile Situations and the Project Team Leader.

ConocoPhillips, Deputy Country Manager, Deadline February 15, 2010.

ChildFund Timor-Leste, 2 Positions, Deadline January 29, 2010.

Ministry of Finance, Procurement Adviser (Re-advertise), Deadline January 29, 2010.