UN Volunteers is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 1 TERMS OF REFERENCE

UNV Programme Officer
UNDP Timor-Leste – Crisis Prevention & Recovery Unit
Post title: Crisis Prevention and Recovery Programme Officer
Duration: 12 months
Location, country: Dili, Timor-Leste
Host agency/institution: UNDP Timor-Leste
Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers is the UN organization that supports sustainable human development globally through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization 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 action in all its diversity.
This post is a UNV volunteer assignment based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer as well as the society at large. It enhances social cohesion and enriches communities.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich your understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between yourself and the people in your host community. This will make the time you spend as UNV volunteer even more rewarding and productive.
Description of Duties:
Under the overall direction of the UNDP Country Director and the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative / Head of Crisis Prevention & Recovery Unit, the UNV Programme Officer will work closely with other responsible programme officers as well as other relevant stakeholders. Meetings are required with the immediate supervisor as needed. Feedback sessions will be held bi-weekly to review the performance of the UNV against established work plan formulated at the beginning of his/her assignment.
UN Volunteers is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2
Responsibilities and duties will include:
• Assist project formulation within the framework of the CPR framework, namely in the areas of youth, DRM, conflict prevention and social cohesion.
• Familiarize with UN policies and standards on post-conflict Humanitarian, Early-recovery and Recovery planning and programming.
• Select, organise and summarise background information to describe the overall context and background relevant to projects in Timor-Leste.
• Identify, describe and justify projects in relation to peace building, youth and conflict prevention initiatives. Draft sections of project documents such as background or justification.
• Monitor specific aspects of project implementation. Identify problems and propose actions or solutions. Draft comments on designated aspects of project progress.
• Participate in office meetings and in recovery related meetings with national and international organisations.
• Mainstream volunteerism for enhancing social cohesion, mediating and preventing conflicts at the local levels.
• Support the CPR Unit in any other tasks assigned.
• Familiarize with UN security and safety system and procedures in undertaking relevant tasks and responsibilities.
Expectations on learning and results:
• Gaining a practical understanding of post-conflict recovery based on practical first hand knowledge acquired through work with UNDP Timor-Leste;
• Gaining practical experience in working in a multilateral development organization;
• Gaining a better understanding of the complexity of post-conflict development;
• Making valuable contributions to the daily recovery work of UNDP Timor-Leste.
Qualifications/Requirements:
• Post graduate degree in social sciences, political science, law or socio-economic development;
• Fluency in English (written & spoken);
• Oral and/or written abilities in Tetum, Bahasa or Portuguese would be an asset;
• Previous experience in a post-conflict country is an asset;
• Sound computer skills (MS office applications – MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Competencies:
• Social skills, team spirit and the ability to work in a multi-cultural team;
• A great deal of initiative, flexibility, motivation and willingness to learn;
• Ability to identify and analyze problems with project implementation;
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team and ability to deal with people with diplomacy.
UN Volunteers is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 3
General Background, Living Conditions, Health and Security
-General background
Timor-Leste was a colony of Portugal until 1975, when it became a Province of Indonesia under annexation until 1999. Indonesian occupation ended with an overwhelming vote in favour of Independence in public consultations organized by the UN in 1999.
Timor Island (19,000km2) is situated on the easternmost of the Lesser of Sunda islands. To the north lie the Savu Sea and the strait of Wetar, to south is the Australian continent. Timor landscape is characterized broadly by a core of rugged hills and mountains. The highest point of the country is Mount Tatamailau at 3,000m above sea level. The climate is hot, with an average temperature of 21oC and 80% humidity. The rainfall ranges from 500mm to more then 2000mm on the southern cost.
The population of Timor-Leste is estimated at approximately 952,0001 people, of which 76% live in rural area. The GDP per capita was estimated at about US$ 367 in 20042, with 41% of the population living below the national poverty line of US$0.55/day. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, but oil and gas revenue have greatly improved the country financial situation since last year. The main export commodity is coffee.
-Health related issue
The main threats to health are insect borne diseases and contaminated food or water. Malaria and dengue are endemic. There is an UN clinic in the UN compound in Dili where UN employees are able to receive medical treatment. Nonetheless, newcomers should bring a supply of individual prescription medicines. Particular attention should be paid to personal hygiene and it is recommended to use insect repellents, malaria prophylaxis (at least for the first few weeks) and mosquito nets.
Items recommended for bringing are: insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30-35% strength, sunglasses, sun-block lotion, and well-ventilated cotton clothing, etc.
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
-Availability of basic goods and services
Local produce/staples are readily available in the markets, e.g.: rice, vegetables, cooking oil, salt, etc. Western and other imported food items are also available, though mostly only in Dili. There are many restaurants in Dili, and small local cafes in the districts.
With the recent crisis in Timor-Leste from April to July 2006, many houses were either burned or destroyed by arson activities. With the increase of more than 3,000 staff in the new UNMIT mission, availability of suitable housing as became extremely difficult.. Many stores in Dili now sell house items (utensils, basic furniture, etc). Electricity is 210-220. The supply in Dili is quite stable. Sockets are either continental European or Australian.
1 General Population Census 2004, National Statistics Directorate.
2 UNDP Human Development Report, 2006.
UN Volunteers is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 4
The USD is the official local currency. Banking facilities are limited, but the BNU and ANZ banks offer banking services including Visa, MasterCard and ATM.
-Security
Timor-Leste remains at UN Security Phase II (Restricted Movement). The overall risk is assessed as MEDIUM. A security briefing is provided to all international employee of the UN, on a mandatory basis, upon arrival.
Promotion of Volunteerism
As a UNV volunteer, you are expected to promote volunteerism and/or engage in volunteer activities. As such you are encouraged to:
• Strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and other publications and taking active part in UNV activities;
• Get acquainted with traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host community;
• Network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives;
• Encourage and mobilize co-workers, fellow UNV volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in the development of their community;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups. Assist them in submitting stories, experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of OV (online volunteering), or encourage relevant local individuals and groups to use OV whenever technically possible.