ormer ETimor Refugees Demand Govt Attention as Thousands Protest in Atambua

The Jakarta Post

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Former East Timor Refugees Demand Govt Attention

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang

Thousands of former East Timorese refugees occupied the Belu
Legislative Council building in Atambua on Tuesday, demanding the
central government explain why assistance has failed to reach them.

This is the second such action staged by the group, who have chosen
to become Indonesian citizens rather than return to their home
country. The first incident took place last week when they occupied
the council building for three days, bringing activity at the
building to a halt.

The former refugees have demanded that President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono respond to their complaint, which was sent to the State
Palace in Jakarta by facsimile.

“We will stay at the council building until the government responds
as to when the due assistance for the former refugees was disbursed,”
Matheus BC Guedes, secretary-general of the Humanitarian Forum for
Indonesian Citizens, which consists of former refugees from East
Timor, said by mobile phone.

Matheus said the former refugees were owed an estimated Rp 80 billion
(US$8.80 million) in assistance over the last three years. The money
was originally earmarked for the social assimilation of 16,400 families.

“Each family should have received Rp 4 million. As each family was
given only Rp 503,000 in 2006, where is the rest of the money?” Matheus asked.

Commenting on the delayed disbursement of the assistance, head of the
East Nusa Tenggara Social Services Office, Frans Salim, said Tuesday
social assimilation funds for the refugees in East Nusa Tenggara
reached only Rp 40 billion.

The money would be distributed to eight regencies and cities –
Kupang, Timor Tengah Utara, Timor Tengah Selatan, Belu, Sumba Timur,
Sumba Barat, Alor and Kupang city — Salim said, adding that the Belu
regency alone received an allocation of only Rp 8 billion for 1,500 families.

What happened, Salim said, was that all refugees, including former
members of the Indonesian Military and National Police, and former
East Timorese civil servants, now living in Belu were demanding money
from the fund.

The money, he said, will be given only to former refugees who have
assimilated with local residents.

“It’s not for all former East Timorese refugees.”

About 2,000 additional families who are demanding a portion of the
assistance funds, Salim said they were not entitled to the money
because they did not register with authorities in 2005.

The protesters arrived at the council building in Atambua at 9 a.m.
by truck and motorcycle. They unfurled banners and demanded the
central government stop treating them as second-class citizens.

“We came to Belu not at our own request, but as political victims,”
Matheus said.

He demanded the government resolve the issue as soon as possible,
including providing the former refugees with housing and jobs so they
could properly raise their children.

Matheus said the protesters would not leave the council building
until they had received assurances their demand would be met.

Hundreds of policemen and soldiers have been deployed around the
council building.

Job: Chief of Party – (Contigent on funding)

Chief of Party – (Contigent on funding)

AUSTCARE

Austcare is an Australian-based, independent humanitarian aid and development organisation that is non-profit and non-sectarian. Since 1967, Austcare has worked with refugees, displaced persons and been active in landmine mitigation, providing emergency assistance and development programs in more than 30 countries. Austcare’s Head Office is located in Sydney.

Location: Timor-Leste

Closing date: 15 Apr 2008

Job Description

Austcare seeks a chief of party for an anticipated two-year USAID-funded conflict mitigation and reconciliation project in Timor-Leste. This project focuses on conflict resolution, peace building and community resilience, targeting traditional conflict resolution mechanisms and incorporating women and youth into the peace building process

In this role you will provide overall management of project activities, coordinate with counterparts and partners, liaise with USAID, oversee partners and community education, implementation and supervise a diverse expatriate and local professional staff.

To be successful you should have the following qualifications:

- Relevant advanced degree
- Experience working with conflict affected communities
- Minimum five years of experience managing and providing technical assistance for International development projects
- Experience working with community development, capacity building and community
Education programs
- USAID experience preferred but not required
- Experience working in Timor-Leste or similar Asia-Pacific countries preferred
- Excellent written, verbal, and cross-cultural communication skills

Note: This position is contingent on the awarding of funding by the donor.
Vacancies Contact

For information on how to apply please refer to the Austcare website: http://www.austcare.org.au/get-involved/employment.asp

Reference Code: RW_7DB6RN-21

UNV Radio Broadcast Equipment Trainer, Dili

UNV Radio Broadcast Equipment Trainer, Dili

Closing Date: Monday, 14 April 2008Tags: Conflict Resolution; Gender Equality; Project Manager; Public Information; Radio Equipment; Radio Stations; Technical Support; Technical Training

UNV RADIO BROADCAST EQUIPMENT TRAINER
Location :	Dili, Timor Leste
Application Deadline :	14-Apr-08
Type of Contract :	Other
Post Level :	UNV
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)	28-Apr-2008
Duration of Initial Contract :	Six months
Refer a Friend  Apply Now
In September and October 2007, a UNDP needs-assessment mission was fielded in Timor-Leste to formulate a draft multi-year project document with a budget for providing technical assistance to Timor-Leste?s independent media sector, in accordance with UNDP?s rules and procedures. Most radio stations in Timor-Leste are staffed by volunteers who are young and unemployed. While there are many trainers offering curricula in radio, the technical aspect of community radio is often neglected. The planned assistance will comprise primarily of the provision of technical support managed by UNDP Timor-Leste. Based on the project document, and taking into account its strategic position and impartial nature of work in the area of media development, UNDP seeks to recruit a UNV Radio Broadcast Equipment Trainer for the Media Development Project. The UNV Radio Broadcast Equipment Trainer for the Media Development Project will deliver training to the Community Radio Stations in the Timorese Districts on installing and maintaining various types of transmission equipment, on studio environment or in the field, and support UNDP Timor-Leste in developing the independent media sector. He/she will work under the supervision of the Project Manager. He/She will work in close coordination with media organizations, journalists and the international donor community in Timor-Leste. The trainer must ensure that all the activities are effectively implemented in a timely manner in strict accordance to UNDP?s set rules and procedures.
Under the supervision of the Project Manager the UNV Radio Broadcast Equipment Trainer shall: Prepare a training plan on technical/maintenance support to be delivered to Community Radio Stations in Timor-Leste?s Districts. Train Community Radio Stations journalists/staff members on installing, operating, maintaining, repairing, upgrading and managing of a diverse range of broadcast technology equipment, including, broadcast consoles and other studio equipment, tools and software. Train the radio producers in order to determine and achieve the desired effects for production, record, synchronize, mix, or broadcast media content for live performances or pre-recorded events. Establish procedures for the operation and maintenance of studio and radio equipment. Prepare a manual with standard procedures for the operation and maintenance of studio and radio equipment. Establish the means to monitor and increase the technical capacity to record and store broadcast material. Train on edit interviews, features, discussions, and other program segments. Recommend technical hardware and software improvements to enhance service delivery Maintain a broad knowledge of principles of media standards, international regulation/law and international standards of licensing and frequency management issues;
Corporate Competencies: ·Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN?s values and ethical standards Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Treats all people fairly without favouritism Functional Competencies: Knowledge and Learning Management Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team. Encourages UN staff to share knowledge Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills Coordination Effectiveness· Ability to lead the design and implementation of UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships for UNDAF implementation. Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies. Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
High School Diploma or equivalent. Technical training and certifications in broadcast technology, sound engineering, telecommunications engineering or other related fields, or an equivalent combination of education, certification and experience in the broadcast technology/communications field; At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the planning, implementation and management of complex broadcasting projects; Outstanding knowledge of the operating characteristics of a wide-range of media and broadcast equipment used in all aspects of communications and public information; Familiarity with administrative rules and regulation of the UNDP; Familiarity with current trends and developments in radio, television, video, internet and multimedia technologies Good interpersonal and communication skills; Adequate experience in working in multi-cultural environments; Highly motivated and organized; Team player; Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of the training; Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of Able to work under pressure; Ability to adapt and be innovative as new communications challenges arise; Experience with UNDP is highly advantageous; Fluent in English;