United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
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JOB DESCRIPTION
assignment(s)
Open recruitment (advertised)
Advertisement end date:09/02/2024
General
Description of assignment title
Country Coordinator
Assignment country
Timor-Leste
Expected start date
01/02/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
8. Decent work and economic growth
Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNCDF
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Dili
Details
Mission and objectives
UNCDF vison: Is to promote digital economies that leave no one behind. The UNCDF strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. The vision of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the SDGs. UNCDF will apply a market development approach and continuously seek to address underlying market dysfunctions. UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments—through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance—can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.
Context
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 46 least developed countries (LDCs). With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers ‘last mile’ finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF has been present in the Pacific since 2008. From 2008 to 2020, together with UNDP, UNCDF implemented the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP). The PFIP played a leading role in bringing about profound changes in the market, which resulted in almost 3Million pacific islanders accessing financial services. The success PFIP helped position UNCDF as the agency with a wide network and extensive knowledge on financial, digital financial, and digital services and products, and today our flagship programmes in the Pacific include: • The Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP) which is implemented with UNCTAD and UNDP, and aims to support the development of inclusive digital economies in the Pacific addressing the impact of COVID-19 and at the same time leveraging its catalytic capacity. • The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme, implemented with UNDP, which aims to improve the financial preparedness and resilience of Pacific islanders towards climate change and natural hazards. • The STREIT programme, a partnership with FAO, UNDP, ILO and ITU, that aims to support rural entrepreneurship, investment and trade in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The portfolio across the region identifies and promotes the deployment of blended finance instruments to lower the upfront capital and/or reduce the investment risk for the private sector. For example, UNCDF is supporting Coral Reef Preservation in Fiji and Papua New Guinea through our partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the issuance of the Blue Bond in Fiji, a project implemented in partnership with UNDP. Primary countries of focus are Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands (SOI), Tonga, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste and Kiribati.
Task description
The Country Coordinator, positioned under the supervision of the UNCDF’s Regional Manager, will play a pivotal role in implementing UNCDF’s initiatives in Timor Leste; this encompasses: Programme Implementation: Coordinating and managing the implementation of UNCDF programmes in line with annual work plans, ensuring quality assurance and achievement of outputs. Private sector support: Supporting the development of innovative projects and initiatives, leveraging UNCDF’s Technical Assistance facilities and blended finance instruments. Team Management: Supervising and mentoring personnel, including other potential volunteers, interns, and consultants, based on project requirements. Strategic Partnerships: Building relationships and capitalizing on opportunities to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, including government bodies, the private sector, and development partners. Policy and Regulation Support: Assisting government entities in enhancing policies and regulations to support the strategic objectives in the region. Partner Relationship Management: Actively engaging and managing relationships with various financial service providers, including commercial banks, insurance companies, fintechs, mobile money operators, and remittance service providers. Providing both financial and technical support from UNCDF to strengthen these partnerships. Representation and Networking: Representing UNCDF at all relevant country-level workshops, conferences, and events, ensuring UNCDF’s presence and participation is meaningful and impactful. Facilitation of Visits and Meetings: Supporting and facilitating country visits for regional technical specialists and other UNCDF colleagues, liaising with partners to organize productive meetings. Reporting and Accountability: Ensuring timely and accurate reporting from partners that have received support, fulfilling all required obligations and standards. Knowledge Management and Communication: Contributing to the organization’s knowledge base by writing blog posts, focus notes, and other relevant content.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in managing projects or programmes is mandatory, as relevant proffesional experience, out of which 2 years’ experience must be with digital economy related issues. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches for sustainable and inclusive development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Extensive experience in the financial services sector, including but not limited to commercial banks, development banks, payment service providers, eCommerce, FinTech, and insurance. • Strong understanding of Financial Regulations and a track record in scaling digital and financial inclusion initiatives. • Comprehensive understanding of the project management cycle and managing for results. Ability to develop project documents, corresponding budgets, and monitoring and evaluation plans. • Experience working with community-based and rural initiatives, including those related to inclusive finance, open digital payments ecosystem and financial innovation. • Prior experience working with UN organizations or other multilateral development partners (e.g., UN World Bank, IFC, ADB) is highly desirable. • Experience in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is an added advantage. • Demonstrated ability in partnership management and resource mobilization.
Area(s) of expertise
Economics and finance, Business management, Administration
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Portuguese, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration International Development, Public Policy, or equivalent
Competencies and values
• Integrity and Professionalism: Demonstrates expertise, exercises good judgment, autonomy, personal initiative, and ability to take ownership. Operates with discretion and neutrality in a politically sensitive environment. • Accountability: Operates responsibly and in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to Continuous Learning: Shows willingness to learn new skills, stay abreast of new developments, and adapt to changes. • Planning and Organizing: Possesses effective organizational and problem-solving skills, ability to manage large workloads efficiently and establish priorities. • Teamwork and Respect for Diversity: Works effectively across organizational boundaries, establishing and maintaining harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural environment. • Communication: Exhibits excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports, conduct presentations, and communicate effectively with diverse individuals. • Flexibility and Adaptability: Willing and able to operate in austere, potentially hazardous environments, and travel extensively. Genuine Commitment: Demonstrates solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and a commitment to the principles of voluntary engagement and UN core values
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Timor Leste is half of a tropical island on the Australian continental shelf characterized by a rugged mountain chain running east-west that divides the country into a generally warmer north coast and a milder south coast. The capital city, Dili, is located in the north. Climate: The climate along the coast is relatively warm hot year-round with an annual average temperature of 30°C. There are two distinct seasons: the north-east monsoon season, which runs from November to March, constitutes the rainy season throughout the country. The southeast monsoon season, which runs from March to October, constitutes the dry season with some rain on the southern coast but otherwise dry and windy conditions in the rest of the country. The climate inland with its high mountains can be very cold with an annual average temperature of 15°C. Health: Public hospital and private clinic provide services to community. Stamford clinic in Dili serves as a recommended medical facility for UN staff. There is a national hospital with some international staff and a limited number of other private clinics in Dili (such as DMC). For more complex medical treatment and assessment, it is necessary to evacuate to neighbouring cities/countries such as Darwin or Singapore. There is currently no reported cases of Corona Virus in Timor-Leste. Diet, Food and Water: Most staple foods can be found in the markets such as rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt and sugar. There is a variety of food ranging from Western to Southeast Asian fare. You can also find several local restaurants with less expensive meals. Telecommunications: There are three telecommunication providers in country, Timor Telecom and Telcomcel and Telemor. While Timor Telecom has been long present, Telcomcel and Telemor were newly launched in Timor-Leste, and started operating in February 2013. The SIM cards cost $2-3 and pre-paid/pulsa cards range from $1 to $50. UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations; • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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