Assignment Description

Transcription

1 Assignment Description Assignment Number: Job Title: *Host Organisation: Assignment Location: Location ID: Occupation ID: APG Finance and Administration Advisor Touching the Untouchables Goroka Papua New Guinea Finance/Economics Assignment Start Date: February 2016 Duration: 3 months Application Closing Date: 21 December 2015 Pre-Departure Briefing Dates: Project Manager: Contact: February 2016 in Melbourne (attendance at this volunteer briefing is compulsory) and is proceeded by approximately 3-hour online training prior to this date Farhana Rahman farhana.rahman@abv.org.au * Please note that volunteers should not contact the host organisation: (a) unless the host organisation contacts the volunteers first; or (b) without permission from ABV. Assignment Summary Touching the Untouchables (TTU) is an NGO based in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. It delivers community health education programs to rural villages and communities to improve the health outcomes for children, women and men. The organisation is growing rapidly in terms of its programs, administration and funding and hence requested assistance of an Australian volunteer to enhance the capacity of the TTU in financial management, including the capacity of staff to implement appropriate financial and administrative procedures for transparent and accountable financial management of TTU funds. Applicants for this assignment must be available to physically attend volunteer pre-departure training on the 10 th - 12 th February 2016 in Melbourne and undertake on on-line training of approximately three hours prior to this date. Host Organisation and Assignment Background Touching the Untouchables (TTU) is an NGO based in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. It delivers community health education programs to rural villages and communities. TTU focus is on hygiene and sanitation practices and safe motherhood practices to improve the health outcomes for children, women and men. Since 2012, TTU has been working in Henganofi District in the Eastern Highlands Province and providing trainings and assistance to community health promoters and village birth attendants. Henganofi District has a

2 total population of 70, 000 people, 3 local level governments and 32 council wards. TTU is working in 30 villages in the District. TTU works in partnerships with development organisation. TTU is mainly donor funded, with the main donor being Bread for the World (BFTW). TTU also provides consultancy services to international organisations and the government to raise a revenue to fund its program and administration. TTU is a growing organisation in terms of its programs, administration and funding. TTU expects to increase its funding from government, non-governmental organisations, and from fund raising activities. It is committed to implement a sound, transparent and accountable financial management system to ensure the appropriate management and use of donor funds. TTU is also committed to ensure its staff are well equipped with financial management skills and knowledge. TTU has recently acquired MYOB. TTU previously received support of an Australian volunteer in improving organisation s financial processes and procedures. TTU finance staff were trained in developing financial policies, bank reconciliation and acquittals, and preparing for audit. The organisation has requested follow up support with strengthening their financial management and administrative capacities to manage funds from multiple sources using cash book (Excel) and the MYOB accounting package, to train staff on financial management, filling financial documents, employee tax, tax rebate and superannuation fund contributions, train staff to prepare inputs in administration and organisational budgets, to prepare financial reports to stakeholders and to prepare acquittals for audit. Location Background In the 1950s, Goroka was a small outpost station, with a history of gold mines and coffee plantations. Goroka has since developed into commercial centre and capital of the Eastern Highlands Province, with a population of about 25,000. The town is surrounded by mountains and its high altitude produces pleasant spring-like weather throughout the year, with warm days and cool nights. Goroka is known for its annual show held every September since 1957, in which around 100 Papua New Guinean tribes come together to display their various music, dancing, tribal rituals and cultures. Locals are very friendly. The town has several pharmacies, a hospital, museum, open-air market, theatre, and natural sites to visit. Goroka can yet be very quiet with limited socialising opportunities for expats. Volunteers are expected to be of good health for this location and shall be prepared for unplanned interruption of some of the services. Cultural Tips The official languages are TokPisin and English. Of those, TokPisin is the most widely spoken language in Goroka. However, up to 850 different languages are spoken across the country. The dominant religion is Christianity, but traditional worship is still practised in some places. Volunteers should expect to be greeted with an initial friendly handshake. Volunteers should remember to show particular respect to older people, and should never refuse the offer of gifts or food from people of any age. It is not appropriate to hold a long conversation with a person of the opposite sex unless that person is a close colleague or known friend.

3 Goroka is considered a medium security risk location and, as such, volunteers are required to adhere to security advice provided in-country. Volunteers are not able to catch public buses, and are provided with an after-hours transport service provided for security reasons. Opportunistic crime is common throughout the country, so precautions should be taken according to in-country advice. Both meat and vegetarian options are available at locations that are considered suitable for eating out. Local and imported vegetables can be purchased from local supermarkets and marketplaces which are also considered safe. Both men and women should wear smart, conservative clothing in the workplace. Women should not wear shorts or skirts that are above the knee. Women may like to try the traditional meri blouse. Workplace The volunteer will be located at Goroka Town and supported by the TTU staff with access to TTU resources, such as a workspace and office equipment, including printer, phone, fax, photo copier. The volunteer may be required to travel to project sites, where TTU works, or is considering working. The Assignment Community Impact To contribute towards improved quality of life of people in the Eastern Highlands Province through provision of health education programs Host Organisation Outcomes TTU has appropriate and sound financial management system and is able to manage funds in a transparent and accountable way TTU staff are confident and efficient in implementing administrative and financial management policies, processes and procedures Tasks Increase staff awareness and understanding of the importance of proper and professional financial management and administrative practices, which are in compliance with donor and government requirements Work with staff to understand donor financial management and reporting requirements and procedures Review the financial management system, procedures and processes and together with counterpart make recommendations for improvements to make it sound, but practical and easy for various purposes Assess the financial management and administrative skills and knowledge of staff in both finance and support roles, and identify appropriate and effective methods of training and mentoring staff Provide training and mentoring to staff in identified areas to increase their financial managements skills and knowledge, including in adequate authorisation and filing procedures, labelling of financial documents

4 Provide training to staff on reporting requirements of TTU management, board and donors and coach staff to complete reports which are due Train staff in applying appropriate finance software as applicable Assist TTU and train staff in complying with employee tax, tax rebate and superannuation fund contributions requirements and regulations Outputs Staff understand financial management and reporting requirements and are trained on preparing financial reports to TTU management, board and donors Due financial reports are completed Existing financial management system, procedures and processes are reviewed and revised to be sound, yet practical and easy to use Staff in finance and support roles are trained and mentored in relevant financial management and administrative processes, procedures and requirements, including authorisation and filling procedures, labelling of financial documents, finance software, employee tax, tax rebate, superannuation fund contributions * Please note that the objectives outlined above may be subject to change, with part of the chosen volunteer s role being to help shape the needs of the Host Organisation in relation to this assignment description. Counterparts who will participate in Skills Exchange Position Time in the position Formal Education/Training Finance Officer 6 years Certificate in Accounting, Goroka Business College Assistant Finance Officer 1 year Diploma in Accounting, International Training College, Port Moresby Selection Criteria Essential Qualifications: Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, Business, Auditing or related field Experience/Skills: At least 10 years professional experience with 5 years in business, administration, accounting, finance or related field

5 Minimum 2 years of experience in financial management, and managing accounting systems Experience in providing mentoring and training in quality management or financial management Note: A current first aid certificate (HLTFA311A) is required for all AVID assignments. Obtaining a current one, if required, is at the volunteers own expense. Personal Attributes: Patience, tolerance and flexibility Cultural sensitivity and awareness A willingness to work in a challenging environment with limited resources Desirable Experience/Skills: Previous experience of working in not-for-profit community-based organisation or in the health sector Previous working experience in developing countries, including Papua New Guinea Experience working effectively within a small team Airfare, Living Allowance and Accommodation ABV will provide/ ensure: A return economy class airfare from the volunteer s closest airport to the assignment location; The required visa for the location and duration of the assignment; Any unavoidable overnight transit accommodation costs required during travel to and from the assignment location; Travel and medical insurance; Medical pre-departure health check, including a personalised first aid kit; Medically prescribed vaccinations and malaria prevention medication; Return travel costs within Australia and accommodation costs for the volunteer to attend pre-departure training for two days one or two months before the assignment start date. Attending pre-departure training before the assignment begins is compulsory; Reasonable, safe and secure accommodation close to the assignment location; A monthly living allowance of AUD1300. Allowances are paid in 2 month allocations in advance, with the first being made prior to departure.