Closing date: 05 Oct 2007 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Timor-Leste - Dili
Title: UNV CSO Project Coordinator
Project Name: UNV/UNDP programme to strengthen CSO capacity in local and national development processes for poverty reduction in East Timor
Project Number: 0001574 & 00014966
Duty Station: UNDP/UNV, Dili, Timor Leste
Preamble
This post is a United Nations Volunteers Programme Assignment and based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically, as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.
The United Nations Volunteers is the UN Organisation that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism including the mobilisation of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples. It is universal, inclusive and embraces volunteer actions in all its diversity.
Volunteerism is diverse and is embedded in all cultures and traditions. In this context, as a United Nations Volunteer you are encouraged and expected to relate to local volunteerism and to be identified with the concept. You are expected to regard your national colleagues as peers and together uphold trust as volunteers among yourselves and within the communities and the organisation you are assigned to.
Project Background
UNDP has been involved in capacity building for CSO's since 2000, most recently in a project entitled Enhancing the capacities of East Timorese Civil Society Organisations. This project is now complete and is being followed up by another UNDP/UNV two-year project designed to strengthen CSO capacity in local and national development processes for poverty reduction in Timor- Leste. The main counterparts of these projects are the Government and the NGO Forum. UNDP/UNV have also been involved in supporting civic education in Timor-Leste since 2001. UNDP provided considerable input to the 2001 UNTAET Civic Education programme and directly managed a civic education programme in 2002. This programme will have a follow-up project designed to be based in Baucau.
Under the overall supervision of the UNV and UNDP Programme Officers the incumbent will be responsible for the daily management, as well as administration and financial management of the CSO project. The Financial and Administrative management in line with UNDP ATLAS and support in achieving results in line with the project objectives is critical.
Specific Duties
The UNV CSO Project Coordinator will be expected to:
- Oversee the overall management of the CSO and Civic Education activities in line with the objectives set out in the project document and in accordance with UNDP/UNV rules and procedures.
- Familiarize with the UNV and UNDP programme management and administrative processes, rules and procedures.
- Prepare a more detailed implementation schedule for the project, such as workplans for the project as well as project staff and UN Volunteers.
- Support the on-going development of a Project Steering Committee (PSC).
- In conjunction with the UNV and UNV Programme Officers ensure that project finances are in order and properly managed.
- Establish proper procedures for the initiation and management of subcontracts, and oversee their implementation.
- Maintain good working relations with Government counterparts, at district and national level.
- Maintain and extend good working relations with CSO's, including NGO's, youth, church and women's organisations, as well as Local Volunteer Involving Organisations.
- In particular maintain relations with and support the development of the NGO Forum.
- Maintain and develop relations with other organisations, including donors and INGO's, involved in strengthening CSO's and in Civic Education activities.
- Support and supervise project staff, with particular emphasis being placed on capacity development for all national staff.
- Prepare reports as may be necessary from time to time for UNV, UNDP and other donors.
- Prepare short briefings on the activities of the project for use in media / public information activities.
- In conjunction with specialist staff prepare monitoring and evaluation procedures for the project, including the development and review of success indicators.
- Be aware of best practice in CSO development in other countries and of emerging UNDP policy towards civil society development.
- Jointly with the UNV Programme Officer, UNV RRC Advisors and the UNV NGO Forum Capacity Building Advisor proactively market the values and concepts of volunteering for development and brief national and international partners on the different types of assistance that UNV can provide.
- Promote team-building, experience sharing and learning among UN volunteers and local volunteers
- Ensure that the project activities are integrated with and supportive of broader UNDP initiatives to reduce poverty in Timor-Leste.
- Support staff in completing request for disbursement of project funds in line with UNDP ATLAS.
- Support in budget revisions and other financial reports
- Ensure that project expenditures are within project budget framework and avoid overspending under any budget activity.
Time Frame
The duration of the assignment will be for 12 months from August 2004 to August 2005
Profile of the UNV
- The UNV will have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in Political Science, Development Studies, International Relations, NGO Management or other relevant third level qualification. Qualification at Masters level would be an advantage.
- Additional training in relevant subject areas such as civic education, participatory techniques etc.
- Six to eight years of directly relevant experience in the area of CSO development, civic education, NGO management, logistics is desirable.
- Excellent skills in English (spoken and written) with an ability to prepare and present reports.
- Language capacity in Tetum and / or Indonesian will be a major asset. Ability in Portuguese would also be valuable.
- A high level of communication skills, capacity to both lead and work as part of a team and good interpersonal qualities will be essential.
- Previous experience as a volunteer at the local, national or international level.
- Commitment to upholding and supporting volunteering in its diversity.
- Work experience in and knowledge of Timor Leste will be a particular advantage.
- Demonstrate a capacity to innovate and be flexible.
More information please contact:
Ms. Jen Worthington (jen.worthington@undp.org) or
Mr. Oliver Wittershagen (oliver.wittershagen@undp.org)
Reference Code: RW_60426X
