Program 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.

As a UN organization, UNFPA is one of the leading partners of the government of Timor-Leste in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Maternal Health, and Family Planning. The organization started its operations in the country soon after independence and has a long-standing partnership with the country. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments to accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD (International Conference on Population and Development) and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030.

In the area of Maternal Health, UNFPA led the development of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Strategy 2015-2019, provided technical and financial support to MoH to conduct the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) Needs Assessment in 2015, followed by the development of EmONC Improvement Plan of Action and its implementation (2016-2019). In collaboration with WHO, UNFPA developed the standard of care on intrapartum and immediate postpartum care and the Competency-Based Training Package. UNFPA has simultaneously led the development of the National Guidelines and Protocols for antenatal care (ANC), intrapartum and postpartum care (PNC) for women and support the orientation of the guidelines to healthcare workers in nationwide.

The SRH program activity and implementation aim on the integration of the SRH service functions into a new single structure, in a form of a ‘one-stop’ shop approach, in which clients are offered a comprehensive range of reproductive health services. At an individual level, the integration of services offers client-centred care which benefits both healthcare provider and client alike. Integrated SRH services, delivered effectively and efficiently, are prerequisites for universal access to SRH services. Furthermore, the SRH project aims at strengthening the primary health care system to deliver a high-quality integration of maternal and newborn health care including antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC), Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) Services, Family Planning (FP), HIV/STI, and Gender Based Violence (GBV). This project is in line with SDG 3.1 which aims to reduce the global MMR to less than 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030 and to have no country with an MMR above 140. The National Strategic Plan of Timor-Leste has not defined the MMR target; however, targets and interventions are defined through improving maternal and neonatal mortality with the implementation of maternal death audits in both hospitals and community; and provision of EmONC services across all CHCs with trained staff. This will ensure that the CHCs can identify obstetric complications and manage or provide emergency management before referring to a higher level of care/center.

Under the direct supervision of the SRH Programme Analyst, the Programme Assistant will provide program, administrative, financial, procurement and logistical support to strengthen SRH program team.

The scope of work and expected deliverables include:

• Support formulation of the country programme and component projects, by contributing to compilation of relevant information in support of formulation and drafting of funding proposals and / or project documents and work plans.
• 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. • Provide administrative and logistical support to projects through coordinating related activities, meetings, workshops and events. • 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. • Supporting the evaluation of project and programme activities, conducting field visits, participating in review meetings, and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports. • Maintaining an effective internal control and audit follow-up; and processing routine transactions in an accurate and timely manner.

Values: • Exemplifying integrity, • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, • Embracing cultural diversity, • Embracing change

Functional Competencies: ● Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda ● Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships ● Delivering results-based programmes ● Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Core Competencies: • Achieving results, • Being accountable, • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, • Thinking analytically and strategically, • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, • Communicating for impact

• Relevant administrative or project supporting experience • Experience in liaising and coordinating with national counterparts and civil society • Organisation is an added advantage • Working experience with UN Agencies or other international organisations is an asset Skills and Competencies • Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint would be an asset • Time management skills with punctuality would be an asset

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