Mission and objectivesUNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health and rights agency, expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. It is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Since 2003, UNFPA Timor-Leste has supported the Government of Timor-Leste to conduct Census and has strongly promoted sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality as key elements to achieve human rights and human dignity. Over the past decade UNFPA assistance has contributed towards establishing basic social services and generating baseline socio-demographic data for Timor-Leste. The main focus of the programme is to support national efforts to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, in line with the UNFPA transformative results to end maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices -- responding to the principle of leaving no one behind, focusing on women, adolescents and youth, particularly those living in rural areas, people with disabilities and key population groups.
ContextThe Programme and Finance Assistant supports the effective implementation of the UNFPA-Japan funded project by providing integrated programme, financial, and administrative support. The role ensures accurate financial management, compliance with UNFPA rules and procedures, timely reporting, and smooth coordination between programme and operations teams.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the overall Supervision of the International Operations Manager and direct supervision of the International UN Volunteer Expert - Project Manager, his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Program and Finance Assistant will support in the following: โ Supports the monitoring of programme financial performance non-core resources by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results. Detects potential over-under expenditure problems and suggests remedial action. โ Supports the preparation and monitoring of programme budgets and ensures financial transactions are in accordance with UNFPA financial rules and procedures. Propose procedures to improve internal controls and efficiency, and respond to audit issues. โ Supports financial reporting of Implementing Partner(s) and clearance of direct payments in a timely manner. Performs quarterly eFACE (Electronic - Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditure) to OFA reconciliations; performs FACE to CDRs (Combined Delivery Report) reconciliations and ensures these are approved and filed; โ Support, routine implementation, and management of the projects in terms of timely delivery of project inputs, HR, logistical, financial, procurement, and administrative inputs, and timely submission of reports. โ Support monitoring of programme/projects' financial performance, by providing necessary financial information, including implementation rate against indicators/results; detecting potential over/under expenditure problems and proposing remedial action. โ Provide logistical support to projects through coordinating related meetings, workshops, and events. โ In collaboration with the IOM and members of the inter-agent HACT (Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers) working group, provides support for timely and quality assurance planning and implementation, and suggests areas for improvement for Implementing Partners' (IPs) working with UNFPA. โ Assists in the management of projects by monitoring expenditure and preparing budget revisions according to the needs of the Country Office. โ Maintains an effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control, and audit follow-up, and processes financial transactions in an accurate and timely way. โ Reviews and monitors charges for common services and cost recovery, taking into account maximum cost efficiency in full compliance with UNFPA rules, regulations, policies, and strategies. โ Contributes to strengthening UNFPAโs internal and Implementing Partners' capacities to manage funds. โ Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: โ Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking an active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day); โ Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. โ Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities. โ Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. โ Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. โ Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies and valuesโ Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNFPA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNFPA procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โ Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNFPA in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority. โ Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixedgender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full [involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โ Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โ Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. โ Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โ Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. โ Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNFPAโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly.