Procurement and Finance Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

There is a strong correlation between poverty and access to basic services and amenities. While around 65 percent of non-poor households in Timor-Leste have access to improved sanitation facilities, nearly half of the poor do not. According to the SDG 6 based analysis of the WASH data by WHO and UNICEF 2021, sanitation is particularly challenging as 43% of the total population are deprived of access to basic sanitation and 14% of the total population are deprived of basic drinking water, a problem that is higher (19%) for rural populations. Employment opportunities are very limited as the public sector is the biggest employer and private sector is very constrained, and the economy is not diversified.

In response to this, UNDP has initiated the ‘Community Infrastructure for Resilience Project (CIReP)’ to safeguarded rural communities in the targeted four Municipalities. This project will focus on constructing a total of 40 infrastructure units that include water systems, public toilets, bridges, maternity health centre, rainwater harvesting systems, gabion/retaining wall, and community centres. Having better access to community infrastructures will enable them to have enhanced access to various services. The project will benefit a total of 16000 households, 75000 (47% women) individuals in 4 Municipalities.

Moreover, the Project seeks to strengthen the Resilience of the communities in the most vulnerable areas such as Bobonaro, Ermera, Liquica and Oecusse. The interventions will include: Output 1. New community infrastructures are constructed, or old/damaged community infrastructure rehabilitated based on communities’ needs and priorities.
Output 2. Men and women in the communities are meaningfully engaged in the process and obtain short-term employment through the construction works in the communities.

Under the supervision of the Project Administration Officer, the Procurement & Finance Assistant will perform following activities but not limited to:

• Work within the Project team to collect the Procurement and Finance records within the period specified under the project life. • Create, edit and maintain records/registries in various content management systems, including Assets Management, Procurement evidence, Financial Reporting documents, Travel Management, Programme deliverables, etc. • Assist the Programme in all procurement and financial-related matters, such as Cash for Work, activity budget plan and logistics for the project activities. • Process payment for any procurement including short-term contract holders and international consultants, as per contracts and upon receipt of final deliverables. • Coordinate with MSA and SEFOPE to proceed procurement and other operational activities. • Arrange gender-equal recruitment process with local labours and registration of social security with MSS and tax registration with National Tax Authority. • Liaise with commercial bank to support community labours to create a bank account. • Assist in submitting monthly social security and wages withholding tax. • Prepare and process travel allowance (DSA), claims (travel request /travel claim), or any other financial settlement as required. • Support the coordination and implementation of project activities and gender-sensitive evaluation, including field visits; participating in review meetings and evaluation missions and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports. • Provide overall logistical support in organizing meetings, workshops, training, field assessment according to the Project Work Plan. • Undertake other administrative, procurement, and financial tasks as required.

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:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • 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.

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement • Flexibility • Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication

• Working experience minimum of 2 years or bachelor’s degree in finance, economic, international relations or relevant fields.
• Experience in administration, finance, procurement, and overside project operation. • Experience in working with the government, municipal authorities, youth, community members. • Strong interpersonal communication and coordination skills • Analytical and practical problem-solving skills • Knowledge in MS Office application (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Additional skills and expertise:

• Experience in Cash for Work is a very strong advantage. • Experience in working at UN agencies (including UNDP project) or international organizations is an advantage. • Knowledge in Quantum is an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a wide range of partners, including community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment • Ability to deal with multitasks under tight deadlines • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.