AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.
Assignment Title
Host Organisation
Website of Host Organisation
Duration of Assignment
Start Date
Pre-departure Briefing Date
AVI Assignment Code
Finance & Logistics Mentor
East Timor Development Agency (ETDA) http://www.etda.tl/
18 months
29 November 2015
9-11 October 2015
10533635
Mission: To strengthen the capacity of the Timorese to play an integral, active and coordinated role in the development of Timor-Leste.
Objectives:
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To provide technical advice and resources;
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To assist in the priority setting of development needs;
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To assist the Timorese people to provide culturally appropriate advice and technical information
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To assist with the coordination and review of international development assistance projects in
Timor-Leste;
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To implement or assist the implementation of projects to benefit the Timorese people.
History: ETDA is an national Timorese NGO established in 1999 to follow up work begun with the
Strategic Development Planning for East Timor Conference held in Australia in early 1999. ETDA opened an office in Dili after the 1999 Popular Consultation which led to independence. With support from Australian Volunteers International ETDA was able to recruit and deploy staff quickly into Timor-
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Leste during the immediate post-emergency and early development phases. ETDA now has 39 full time and 8 casual staff and 21 interns. The organization structure consists of a Board of Management which appoints the Director. The Board of Management are invited by their merit related to the organisation’s mandate. The Director has a team of six Managers, each responsible for recruiting and the running of the operation of each department.
Current main activities:
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Accredited Vocational Education and Training facility (various accredited Cert I-IV courses)
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Assist employers in finding suitable employees;
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Assist job-seekers in finding employment;
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Create specialised training for organisations;
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Seek donor/pays education costs for orphans, then monitors scholarship holders educational performance;
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Conduct national and international surveys and provision of statistics and resource centre for general public;
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Development of resources in Tetun language
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Translation and interpretation services;
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Coordination of conferences and workshops for external organisations;
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Establishment and maintenance of network systems with key persons in various industries.
For more information please visit the website www.etda.tl
.
ETDA is registered and accredited with the Government of Timor-Leste as a training and employment service delivery institution. It’s main focus is towards long term, unemployed youth
ETDA as a local organization has grown quickly since 1999. Beginning with just two staff to now over
47 staff and 21 interns, ETDA is working towards becoming a sustainable local institution. In order to achieve its full potential, ETDA needs a Financial Mentor to support the amalgamation of the financial system and logistics services. It is envisioned that the Volunteer will work with the senior Finance
Manager to develop a ‘one-stop’, standardized system linking the finance and logistics management systems (MYOB is under consideration but ETDA will take advice on this). All relevant staff will be trained to manage and understand the entire financial and logistics system. The aim is for staff to build the capacity to run both of these initiatives successfully and continue to further develop their skills in the financial sector.
Objective 1: In collaboration, training and mentorship with the Finance Manager, update and develop the existing financial management system to an appropriate and effective system, integrated with logistics and asset management.
Objective 2: To mentor and train the Financial and Logistic staff in appropriate and effective financial management.
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In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
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Analyze the existing finance and logistic management systems and provide recommendation on establishment of new integrated system (eg. MYOB)
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Once established, mentor and coach ETDA Finance and Logistics staff in the use and management of the new integrated system and in the registration of ETDA’s assets.
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Train Finance staff in the development and preparation of financial documents for timely auditing purposes.
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Train senior finance staff in development of regular and timely financial and asset management reports to the Director.
Director
The volunteer will not supervise staff but work in collaboration with the Senior Finance Manager,
Finance Staff, Logistics Staff, approximately 7 staff in total.
From 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Fulltime
Annual leave: 20 days/year, accrued as 5 days of leave for each 3 months of work.
Sick Leave: 12 days/year, doctor’s certificate required for more than 2 days’ absence.
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Medium skills in local language of Tetun.
AVI provides 80 hours intensive language support during the in-country orientation period. Additional resources for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.
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The volunteer will be based in Dili, the capital city and most urban location in Timor-Leste. Dili is a smallish, bustling, coastal town and comprises a sweeping harbour and narrow coastal plain, steeply rising to the central mountain range which runs the length of Timor-Island.
Dili provides a range of lifestyle options and has a fluctuating population of approximately 200,000+ people, including a diverse international expatriate population. It is also home to TimorLeste’s major seaport, international airport and commercial centre.
Dili is located in a coastal/beach setting so many social activities congregate around the cafes, bars and restaurants on the beach. Timor-Leste has excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities, including in or within easy reach of Dili. There are many places to eat out in Dili including a diversity of local and international restaurants and bars.
There is a variety of grocery and food options including several supermarkets, shopping plaza and markets providing locally grown organic fruit and vegetables. Note that familiar Australian grocery items are only variably available. Fresh fish is available daily along the waterfront. A range of cheap domestic goods are available, mostly imported from Indonesia and China.
Customs & dress codes: Although Dili is the capital city and somewhat more liberal, Timorese throughout Timor-Leste hold traditional values and it is essential that visitors respect local customs and practices, including dress codes, particularly for women.
Security: Candidates should be aware that the security situation has been volatile in the past however the political tensions have resolved since the crisis of 2006/7. Please note that Volunteer safety and security are a priority for AVI and it is a requirement that volunteers comply with mobility guidelines and prescriptions.
Communications: There are 3 telecommunication providers in Timor-Leste providing a range of mobile phone and internet options. However, the speed and quality of access is variable and lower than in
Australia.
Transport: There are a range of transport options in both Dili and Timor-Leste. In Dili options include private vehicles (car, bicycle or motorbike), public transport (predominantly taxis) or on foot. Note that public transport: only available in daylight hours. A number of volunteers purchase a vehicle during their assignment, resale of vehicles is generally very easy.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:

E-security: it is highly recommended to pre-purchase high-grade and genuine anti-virus & security software in Australia before arrival. Internet speed in Timor-Leste makes it difficult to download software and locally purchased versions are not reliably genuine.

Volunteers intending to drive vehicles, including motorbikes must have the relevant full
Australian driver and/or rider licence.
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Bicycle and motorcycle riders (including passengers) must bring an Australian standard helmet; these are not available for purchase in Timor-Leste and need to be bought from Australia.
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These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
AUD 1500 per month
AUD 600 per month .
Housing options in Dili and volunteers usually find accommodation within a month of arriving. Typically volunteers will live in a shared apartment or house.
Housing standards for volunteers are very reasonable however volunteers should not expect stereotypical highend ‘expat’ living standards. Accommodation will typically be a fenced, brick house or apartments, tiled throughout, tin roof, generally 24/7 electricity (though periods of brown-outs are common in some areas) and running water. Cooling is via fans or air conditioners. Furniture may or not be provided; there is generally no expectation on a landlord to provide furniture.
Utilities: electricity is via pre-paid meters attached to each property. Water is variable, pending the source, metered, state-provided water is being introduced in some areas. Telecommunications - landlines are non-existent, all mobile and internet access is via mobile, pre-purchased credit.
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
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In-country Orientation on arrival
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Pre-departure vaccination expenses
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Visa expenses
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Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
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Return airfare to country of assignment
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Psychological and medical advice and support services
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Re-entry support services
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Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
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Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
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security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.
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Applicants with accompanying children
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Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the AVID program may face issues in applying for and being issued with a visa
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Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany applicants as part of the AVID program may face issues in applying for and being issued with a visa

Applicants with criminal offences
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed -
Response to Selection Criteria: a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page) b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page) c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience section of the Assignment Description.
To find out more details about preparing your application, please visit: http://www.australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/application-process/
To find out more details about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer, please visit: http://australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/have-you-got-what-it-takes/
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Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent work experience
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Diploma in Financial or other business management qualification would be an advantage.
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Demonstrated experience in financial and logistics management
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Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the setup and operation of linked finance and logistics management systems (eg. MYOB).
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Small business management experience
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Experience in leading, mentoring and training others
Should you wish to apply for this position please visit www.australianvolunteers.com
.
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Select the assignment you are interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
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