Scholarship Opportunities: RWI Petrad Fellowship, Deadline March 19, 2010.

RWI Petrad Fellowship

The Revenue Watch Institute (RWI) and the Oil for Development Program (OfD) of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation are pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the 2010 RWI Petrad Fellowship. The deadline for application is March 19^th 2010. The programs seeks to accelerate civil society leaders’ effectiveness in promoting the better management of oil, minerals, and gas for the public good and is open to civil society activists from the following OfD countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Iraq, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé e Principe, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, and Vietnam.

Description:

The Petrad Fellowship aims to enable fellows to return to their home organization or coalition equipped to immediately take their campaigns to a more technical and informed level and share this knowledge with their colleagues over time.  By targeting leaders in the movement, this program aims to quickly raise civil society’s ability to engage in technical debates surrounding extractive industries.

Fellows in this 8 week program will be sponsored to attend a course in Stavanger, Norway on Petroleum Policy and Natural Resource Management run by Petrad (www.petrad.no). This intensive course spanning the entire extractive industries value-chain is usually only open to senior government officials. To help bridge the knowledge and skills gained in this course to their work in their home country, the fellows will be provided with a mentor before, during and after the coursework.  Fellows will be expected to conduct the background reading, meet regularly with their mentor, participate actively and constructively in the course in Stavanger, and provide RWI with a report about how they will apply their learning from Stavanger upon their return.

Petrad Fellows will be provided with travel, course tuition, and accommodation for their stay in Stavanger. 

Criteria:

The Petrad Fellowship is targeted towards civil society leaders in extractive industry transparency and management campaigns that will be able to quickly apply this new and deepened knowledge of industry policy. The successful candidate must have sufficient background in issues related to petroleum extraction to engage in nuanced discussions about policy and its application.  They also should be in a leadership role in their current organization or coalition that will enable them to promote direct change as a result of the experience.  Preference will be given to newly producing countries or context where civil society is new to engage in extractive issues.

The successful candidate will have, at minimum: an undergraduate degree/equivalent; a background in civil society research, monitoring and activism around extractive revenue transparency; a dedicated commitment to return to their country and their current campaigns; a strong ability to constructively debate issues with multiple actors; and excellent English skills. They also must have the explicit support of their current home organization to pursue all aspects of this fellowship.

Application:

To apply, please send the following to Page Dykstra at fellowship@revenuewatch.org or fax at +1.212.548.4618 with ‘Petrad Fellow’ in the subject line no later than March 19, 2010:

A. Completed application form;

B. CV or resume;

C. Letter from your current manager/head of your organization recommending you for the fellowship and committing to support fellowship and post-fellowship activities.  This letter should include a brief description of the organization’s work related to extractive industries;

D. An essay (no more than 3 pages) that includes:

·         An outline of extractive related issues in your country and the current work you, your organization, and civil society groups broadly are doing in response;

·         An outline of what you will seek to learn and achieve during the fellowship opportunity;

·         A description of how you will use the learning and products from the fellowship on their return to your country and organization; and

·         A description of how this fellowship fits into your current career goals.

All candidates will be judged in an open and competitive selection process that will rate them based on: the relevance of their work experience, training and education; their technical knowledge of the extractives sector; their space and commitment to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills; and their ability to meet the specific mental, relational, and academic challenges of the fellowship.  Short-listed candidates from each region will be interviewed by RWI staff as well as outside advisors.  Additional references may be requested.

RWI Petrad Fellowship Application

Please send with your resume, essay, and reference letter to Page Dykstra at fellowship@revenuewatch.org or fax at +1.212.548.4618 with ‘Petrad Fellowship’ in the subject line by March 19, 2010.

Scholarship Opportunities: RWI Capacity Advancement Fellowship in Extractives, Deadline March 19, 2010.

RWI Capacity Advancement Fellowship in Extractives

The Revenue Watch Institute (RWI) and the Oil for Development Program (OfD) of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation are pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the 2010 Capacity Advancement Fellowship in Extractives (CA Fellows)  program. The deadline for application is March 19^th 2010. The program seeks to broaden and deepen the role of the next generation of civil society activists in promoting the better management of oil, gas and minerals for the public good.  The fellowship is open to civil society activists from the following OfD countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Iraq, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, São Tomé e Principe, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, and Vietnam.

Description:

The CA Fellowship aims to build the capacity of mid-career civil society activists by deepening their understanding of the extractive industries and broadening their skills to connect local, national, and international campaigns.  Fellows are expected to return to their organizations and coalitions with specific knowledge and skills that will enable them to better meet current challenges and develop broader training, advocacy, and research agendas. The program targets key individuals to develop a cadre of future leaders in the extractive industries transparency campaigns.

The year-long fellowship has two components – a period of focused learning and research in New York and a period of application of that learning in their own countries.

During the first half of the program, from August 2010 through January 2011, CA Fellows will be placed at the Revenue Watch Institute office in New York. Fellows will investigate international best practices for extractive resource management and governance and take part in: extractive industry related classes at leading academic institutions, donor and civil society networking events, hands-on support for original research and day-to-day RWI projects activities. Throughout this period they will be partnered with an expert mentor. Fellows are responsible for producing a paper that captures their investigations and learning at the end of this period.

After they return to their home organizations, CA Fellows will implement a project based on their new learning and experience, with the continued support of their expert mentor. They may apply for funding from the fellowship to support this work.  Revenue Watch will publish a short report from each fellow online at the culmination of the year, to highlight what was learned and the impact of the fellow’s activities.

RWI will work with the CA Fellows to co-develop a tailored capacity-building program that corresponds to their particular interests, goals and the primary challenges they expect to face in their revenue governance campaigns upon their return home.  CA Fellows will receive full financial support for the duration of their term in New York, including travel, accommodation and a living stipend.  Financial support for the implementation of home country projects may also be available after competitive review.

Criteria:

The CA Fellowship is designed for mid-level civil society activists involved in extractive industry transparency and management campaigns.  The successful candidate will have introductory knowledge of the extractive industry and related international campaigns, and a position within their organization and career enabling them to capitalize on a significant increase in learning. While exposure to other training opportunities is a plus, it is not required, and applicants must explain how this fellowship opportunity will add particular value to their development and work.  Preference will be given to applicants from newly producing countries or from contexts where civil society is newly engaged in extractive issues.

The successful CA Fellowship candidate will have, at minimum, an undergraduate degree/equivalent; a background in civil society research, monitoring and activism around extractive revenue transparency; a commitment to return to their country and continue their current campaign; a strong ability to work independently; and good English skills. They also must have the explicit support of their current home organization to pursue all aspects of this fellowship.

To apply, please send the following to Page Dykstra at fellowship@revenuewatch.org or fax at +1.212.548.4618 with ‘CA Fellowship’ in the subject line no later than March 19^th, 2010:

A. Completed application form;

B. CV or resume;

C. Letter from your current manager/head of your organization recommending you for the fellowship and committing to support fellowship and post-fellowship activities.  This letter should include a brief description of the organization’s work related to extractive industries;

D. An essay (no more than 3 pages) that includes:

·         An outline of extractive related issues in your country and the current work you, your organization, and civil society groups broadly are doing in response;

·         An outline of what you will seek to learn and achieve during the fellowship opportunity;

·         A description of how you will use the learning and products from the fellowship on return to your country and organization; and

·         A description of how this fellowship fits into your current career goals.

All candidates will be judged in an open and competitive selection process that will rate them based on: the relevance of their work experience, training and education; their technical knowledge of the extractives sector; their space and commitment to apply newly acquired knowledge and skills; and their ability to meet the specific mental, relational, and academic challenges of the fellowship.  Short-listed candidates from each region will be interviewed by RWI staff as well as outside advisors.  Additional references may be requested.

RWI Capacity Advancement Fellowship in Extractives Application

Please send with your resume, essay, and reference letter to Page Dykstra at fellowship@revenuewatch.org or fax at +1.212.548.4618 with ‘CA Fellow’ in the subject line by March 19^th, 2010.

UNDP, Consultant: Communications and Outreach Specialist, Deadline February 22, 2010.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

General Information

Title:	Consultant: Communications and Outreach Specialist
Type of Contract :	Special Service Agreement (SSA)
Location:	Dili, Timor-Leste
Duration:	6 month (SSA)
Desirable Starting Date:	8 March 2010

Background:

The overall objective of the SERC project is to support the implementation of the National Recovery Strategy by strengthening early recovery efforts for durable solutions to IDPs and the receiving communities. The specific objectives are to: 1) Enhance skills of MSS staff to conduct participatory planning for community development project and asses their impacts, 2) Assist MSS staff to identify needs, plan and implement small community infrastructure projects in a participatory process, and 3) Support the integration of early recovery policies and strategies into the National Recovery Strategy and the relevant national priorities.

The Communications and Outreach Specialist will work at the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

Supervision & Reporting line:

The Communications and Outreach Specialist will work under the supervision of the Assistant Country Director for the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit. He/she will also work closely with the national counterpart Ministry of Social Solidarity.

The Communications and Outreach Specialist will report to UNDP Management through the Assistant Country Director for the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit.

Responsibilities:

1.      Developing local capacity in communications and outreach mechanisms with key stakeholders involved in implementation of the National Recovery Strategy and related policies and programs of MSS:

·         Facilitate the flow of information between the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) and districts, local government and civil society concerning the implementation of the National Recovery Strategy and related policies and programs, ensuring that all relevant parties are kept informed of activities, initiatives and requests and facilitating any necessary follow-up action.

·         Facilitate outreach activities at local levels regarding social cohesion and peace-building activities in areas with high levels of IDP returnees as part of recovery programs;

·         Assist MSS and DNSAS in the preparation of a report on National Recovery Strategy, IDPs, Social Cohesion and Peace Building policies, programs, activities and future plans.

·         Provide communications support and build capacities of counterpart staff of MSS and DNAS in communications and outreach mechanisms including planning and implementing communications and outreach strategies and materials that support community participation, social cohesion and peacebuilding;

·         Assist in the preparation of communications materials, background documentation, PowerPoint presentations, visual media and other materials required by the MSS for government meetings, steering committees, technical working groups meetings as required;

·         Provide communication and outreach support to UNDP projects implemented with MSS;

·         Oversight and harmonization regarding UNDP-MSS project communication strategies.

2.      Enhancing the flow and quality of information concerning the recovery, social cohesion and peace building processes to target audiences: including the displaced, and the communities into which they have returned or relocated, Government, local government and civil society.

·         Assist in ensuring that collective messages to be communicated by the MSS adequately address crosscutting concerns such as international conventions on the rights of IDPs, broader human rights issues, social inclusion, social cohesion, peace building, gender equity, civil society participation within appropriate cultural contexts;

·         Assist MSS and DNAS to engage with representatives of local and local print and electronic media. Encourage, organize and facilitate coverage of MSS activities and events at local levels. Provide media representatives with information; including background material on recovery , social cohesion and peace building policies and issues; and for key MSS spokespersons to conduct interviews as appropriate;

·         Monitor the media coverage activities and inform MSS senior managers accordingly.

·         Assist DNAS staff to draft speeches and prepare briefings, draft letters, and facilitate inter-Ministerial cooperation and MSS communications with partners, for the Minister of Social Solidarity and the Director of DNAS as needed;

·         Prepare a co-ordinated program of outreach materials about the activities of MSS and the NRS, social cohesion and peace- building to be implemented by DNAS.

·         Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor and agreed by MSS.

Key Functions:

The work of the Communications and Outreach Specialist will address the key areas of information management and access, including:

(1)   Developing local capacity in communications and outreach mechanisms with key stakeholders involved in implementation of the National Recovery Strategy and related policies and programs of MSS; and

(2)   Enhancing the flow and quality of information concerning the recovery, social cohesion and peace building processes to target audiences: including the displaced, and the communities into which they have returned or relocated.

Qualifications:

q       Master Degree or equivalent in journalism, public relations, law, human rights, political or social sciences or comparable academic preparation.

q       At least five years of relevant experience in developing countries

q       Familiarity with the legal status of IDPs including international conventions concerning the rights of the displaced

q       Experience in Timor-Leste and knowledge of the current political context is a strong advantage.

q       Previous experience in dealing with civil society, namely stakeholder engagement in consultation processes

q       International experience as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

q       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work and handle stressful conditions.

q       Previous experience of working with the Government of Timor-Leste and knowledge of its dialogue processes including the previous Simu Malu initiative and the current National Recovery Strategy.

q       Previous working experience with the UN System is an asset.

q       Computer literacy.

q       Fluency in English and Tetun

q       Working knowledge of Portuguese or Indonesian Bahasa is an asset

Vacancies Contact

Please upload your applications letter together with: Curriculum vitae, financial proposal; P11 forms on line by accessing this link: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=14810  

Individual consultants must submit the financial proposal with a workplan. The financial proposal should include all necessary fees and cost related to the assignment, except the travel cost at the beginning and at the end of the assignment which UNDP will pay. UNDP will not cover any other additional expenses outside of the financial proposal. The financial proposal should be reasonable based on the TOR and proposed workplan.

The deadline for submitting applications is 22 February 2010.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNIFEM, National Coordinator for Gender Responsive Budgeting, Deadline February 24, 2010.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Job Code Title: National Coordinator for Gender Responsive Budgeting

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Duration of Assignment: 12 months (renewable)   

Duty Station: Dili, Timor-Leste

Deadline for Application: 24 February 2010

1.      Introduction

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) provides technical and financial assistance to innovative programmes and strategies to foster women’s empowerment and gender equality.  The UNIFEM programmes in Timor-Leste contribute to two of UNIFEM’s thematic areas on reduction of violence against women and advancement of gender justice in democratic governance.  UNIFEM’s current programme strategy has as its overarching framework the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and focuses on political participation, women in peace building, community prevention mechanisms on sexual and gender-based violence and the application of CEDAW.

In 2008, UNIFEM became the lead agency for a joint programme on Supporting Gender-Equality and Women’s Rights in Nation Building of Timor-Leste, funded by the Spanish MDG Achievement Fund. The Joint Programme (JP) is a three-year programme that supports the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) to improve the conditions of women and girls in Timor-Leste through the protection of their rights and their empowerment.  It offers them fair access to social and economic resources by increasing their access to entitlements and rights. The JP will be implemented by UN agencies – UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIFEM and IOM in partnership with government agencies and structures at national and district levels and in collaboration with relevant civil society organizations and individuals to build institutional capacity. 

Under this joint programme, UNIFEM will be building interest and commitment of gender responsive budgeting (GRB) as a concrete tool and accountability mechanism to address gender inequalities by offering women and girls the necessary resources and opportunities to develop their full potential.

2.      Duties and Responsibilities

The primary tasks of the National Coordinator for GRB will be to support the development, implementation and close monitoring of the planned work on gender responsive budgeting (GRB) under the joint programme. The National Coordinator will be supervised by the Country Programme Manager, and has the following responsibilities:

Project Management and Monitoring

·         Develop and continuously update the implementation plan for the GRB programme and ensure its timely execution.

·         Coordinate the implementation of the programme activities by implementing partners

·         Prepare regular programme reports that include regular tracking of progress towards the identified indicators

·         Ensure sound budget management

Project Implementation

·         Support the implementing partners to achieve results in a timely manner through the provision of technical guidance and support for capacity development

·         Facilitate training workshops and conduction training on GRB as appropriate

·         Build a database of relevant technical resources on GRB that are relevant to the context of Timor-Leste including guidelines, training resources, policies and plans

·         Draft TORs/concept notes/activity summary in relation to the implementation of GRB project activities as needed

·         Support processes for preparation of the national and local (at district level) gender responsive plans and budgets

·         Support the participation of women’s groups in planning, budgeting and monitoring

Programme Coordination 

·         Facilitate the building of partnerships among civil society organizations (CSO), women’s groups, academia and government partners

·         Support the Country Programme Manager in pursuing linkages between GRB activities and the other programmes being implemented in UNIFEM Timor-Leste, as well as contribute to the exchange of information and knowledge products

Perform other duties as required and assigned.

3.      Competencies

·         Familiarity with the UN system, dedication to its principles

·         Cultural, gender, religion, race and national and age sensitivity and adaptability

·         Knowledge of RDTL governmental institutions and legislative framework

·         Demonstrated experience in gender work

·         Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and fair treatment of people without favoritism

·         Client-oriented readiness to provide support based on knowledge about the needs of counterpart

·         Flexibility, autonomy and reliability essential

·         Outstanding task management and organizational skills

·         Ability to multi-task and work under pressure in taxing situations without losing focus on the objectives and priorities

4.      Minimum Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s Degree in political or social sciences or related field of study. Master’s degree an asset.    

·         3 years of relevant experience in programme/project design and management.

·         Exposure/experience to gender work i.e. advocacy or training in Timor-Leste.

·         Previous employment experience with international organizations is an asset.

·         Good computer skills in Windows environment, knowledge of internet communication and command of MS Office applicants (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

·         Strong writing and communication skills in English

·         Fluency in English and Tetum.  Portuguese proficiency an asset.  

Application is open for TIMOR-LESTE NATIONALS ONLY. Please send application with CV, P11 and relevant supporting documents to: 

The Country Programme Manager

UNIFEM Timor-Leste Programme Office

UN House, Caicoli St., Dili, Timor-Leste

Tel No:  (+670) 3313294

Email: maria.isabel@unifem.org

UNDP, National Project Manager, Deadline February 19, 2010.

Vacancy Announcement                                           

Project Title: Support to the Trust-Building Pillar of the National Recovery Strategy

Post title: National Project Manager

Duty station: Dili, Timor-Leste with frequent travel to the districts

Duration: Six months with possibility of extension

Expected start date: March 2010

Type of Contract: Service Contract

SC Level: SB-4

Organizational Unit: UNDP, Governance Unit

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

Background

The Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) has been leading the implementation of the National Recovery Strategy, Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru, to address the impacts resulting from the 2006/7 crises, both on communities and on their displaced members. As part of its support to MSS in this respect, UNDP is implementing a project that expands the resources available to the Ministry in supporting the processes of return, relocation and reintegration by channelling support to a variety of national and international Government partner organizations. All programmes implemented so far have been promoting better communication and trust between former IDPs and their recipient communities according to the principles outlined in the trust-building pillar of the National Recovery Strategy.

The project is administered by a Project Management Board (PMB) comprising representatives of MSS, UNDP and AusAID (the project donor). In 2008, ten proposals were selected according to a set of criteria developed in close consultation with the MSS. In doing so, transparent socialisation and peer-review processes were conducted through the Hamutuk Hari’i Konfiansa working group established by the Government and supported by UNDP to coordinate trust-building activities of the National Recovery Strategy. Following approval of the ten proposals submitted for the PMB’s consideration, UNDP worked with each organisation to develop a complete project document and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) clarifying the nature, duration, reporting requirements and areas of responsibility for each project. A call for the second round of proposals was launched to national and international non-governmental partner organisations to further support the government-led National Recovery Strategy, especially its trust-building pillar, and to address the issues that arose from the recovery processes. More specifically, the key activity areas include:

• Strengthening the Government’s and local leadership’s capacity to engage in dialogue and help resolve and mitigate conflict including land disputes in Dili and other IDP-affected areas;
• Engaging with Martial Arts Groups and youth groups that may have previously been engaged in conflict during the crisis to encourage positive contributions;
• Post-return/relocation monitoring of IDPs and their host communities;
• Facilitating discussion and reflection highlighting a common and shared history and culture;
• Dissemination of Public Information in support of IDP-reintegration and broader social stability; and
• Socialisation of the process in defining the land law, with an emphasis on targeting former IDPs, and displacement-affected communities as well as areas where there is known to be a potential for conflict stemming from land and property disputes.

Scope of Work/Summary of Functions

The National Project Manager, will support the implemention of the project entitled “Support to the Trust-Building Pillar of the National Recovery Strategy”. After an initial period and following review of his/ her performance, the incumbent will be expected to fully take over the project management role, and be responsible for overall management, capacity development, coordination, monitoring and reporting of project activities.

The National Project Manager will report to UNDP Management through the Assistant Resident Representative/ Head of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit. S/He will work under the direct supervision of the HHK International Project Manager. Specifically, the National Project Manager will:

1. Management Support:

·         Support to ensure that the project produces results to the required standards of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost described in the project document.

·         Assist the International Project Manager in providing the overall direction and day-to-day management of the project.

·         Assist in project administration such as finance, procurement and recruitment.

·         Represent the project in meetings and events and backstop the International Project Manager as needed.

·         Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

2. Capacity Development:

·         Provide support and mentor national NGOs for enhancing their capacity for project design, delivery and reporting.

·         Work with the focal point of small grants management at MSS and support his/her capacity development.

·         Provide policy advice to MSS and UNDP on civil society related issues.

3. Coordination:

·       Organise and participate in regular meetings to promote coordination and collaboration among beneficiaries of the project, including the Hamutuk Hari’i Konfiansa working group.

·       Attend and provide regular updates to forums concerned with peace/trust-building, social stabilisation and social reintegration.

·       Liaise with the MSS National Directorate of Social Assistance to ensure complementarities among programmes under this project and current Government programming.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assist in planning and regular monitoring of the project and all programmes supported under the project as per signed MOUs and project documents.
• Assist in developing/ strengthening relevant M&E plans and ensure their implementation.
• Conduct monitoring visits per grants recipient organisations during their implementation period.
• Through regular monitoring, support in ensuring the quality of activities implemented by the grants recipient organisations, and advise/ support to improve the quality when necessary.
• Assist in monitoring and managing the risks, including the development of contingency plans as necessary.
• After an initial period, take responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiate corrective action where necessary.
• Alert the PMB on possible shortcomings, limitations or risks of exceeding constraints, and propose remedial actions. 

5. Reporting:

• Provide direct support to grants recipient organisations in the preparation of necessary financial and narrative reports.
• Assist in the preparation and reporting to the PMB through monitoring reports and progress reports.
• Prepare any follow-on action recommendations required.
• After 6 months, provide weekly or as required updates to supervisor and UNDP management.
• Provide as required briefings to counterparts at the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

Qualification and Experiences

• Minimum Bachelors Degree in a relevant area: Development studies, political science, management, peace-building etc.
• At least five years of relevant work experience.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience in project management and/or grants management.
• Experience and understanding of peace-building processes.
• Experience working and/or coordinating with civil society organisations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work and handle stressful conditions.
• Computer literacy.

Desirable Requirements:

·         Experience with the UN System and good understanding of UNDP programme, finance and operational procedures is an asset.

·         Previous experience as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Please submit your application, clearly indicating the position you are applying for, Curriculum Vitae, P11 form 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 19 February 2010.

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