Technical and Operational Assistant for the Scholarship Subsidy Programme

UNDP • Panama City, FL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been a strategic ally of Panama for 50 years, focusing on integrated solutions aligned with national priorities, supporting the management, implementation, and execution of programs and projects for the benefit of the people. The UNDP in Panama is organized into three programmatic clusters coordinating over 40 projects nationwide: Equality and social, economic, and environmental inclusion; Governance, peace, and human rights; Climate change, comprehensive environmental management, and disaster risk reduction. The National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT) is the governmental entity responsible for coordinating and executing national science, technology, and innovation policies in Panama. Its mission is to drive sustainable development through research, scientific education, and technological innovation. Key functions include designing public science policies, implementing the National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation (PENCYT), fostering research in key areas like biotechnology and renewable energy, and promoting collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors to strengthen technology transfer. Within this structure, the Directorate of Scientific and Technological Capacity Development, through the Scholarships Department, leads the SENACYT Scholarship Subsidy Program. This program is a national strategy to strengthen human capital in science, technology, and innovation, aligning with the guidelines of PENCYT 2025–2029 and the Strategic Government Plan (PEG). Its objective is to drive sustainable development, competitiveness, and the country's productive transformation. The program's execution will be directly managed by SENACYT, in accordance with Law 475 of June 25, 2025, which grants powers to regulate and manage its scholarships based on principles of transparency, equity, and merit. The system relies on public calls, external evaluations, and technological platforms for academic and financial monitoring, ensuring traceability and accountability. Actions include promoting educational inclusion and territorial equity, linking scholarship recipients with productive, academic, and governmental sectors, and strengthening scientific capacities in priority areas. It also aims to increase the number of professionals with advanced training in science, technology, and innovation. UNDP and SENACYT have collaborated for over 20 years on joint projects to accelerate the results of Panama's Strategic Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation, requiring specialized capabilities to achieve the expected impact. Therefore, the institution seeks substantial changes to strengthen its capacities, optimize processes, and reduce response times through automation. To this end, a Technical and Operational Assistant for the Scholarship Subsidy Program is required. The selected candidate will be hired under the UNDP's National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA) contractual modality at the NPSA 5 level. This position is for six (6) months with possibilities of extension. The duty station is the SENACYT Office, located in Building 205, City of Knowledge, Clayton.

Requirements

• Completed secondary education is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience (with completed secondary education) or two (2) years (with completed university degree) in areas related to administrative and/or financial and/or accounting management and/or economic analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial software (SAP or similar).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and virtual platforms (Teams and Zoom).
• Experience in financial data analysis and generation of accurate reports.
• Experience in budget preparation and financial statements.
• Fluency in Spanish is required.

Nice To Haves

• University studies (Bachelor's degree) in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business Administration will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
• Experience in preparing financial analyses, including evaluating the capacity and economic situation of co-debtors.
• Experience in managing payroll or payment schedules.
• Experience in report preparation.
• Experience in document file management.
• Postgraduate or Master's degree in Finance is desirable.
• Basic English proficiency is desirable, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform rigorous evaluations of the economic capacity and financial situation of the actors linked to scholarships.
• Prepare, review, and control scholarship payment payrolls with accuracy and within established deadlines.
• Produce financial statements that accurately reflect the economic and budgetary status of the programs.
• Manage and send formal communications regarding statuses, financial procedures, and payment confirmations.
• Inform scholarship recipients about payment status and dates, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Maintain updated documentation and reports for audits and internal monitoring processes.
• Ensure all actions comply with institutional financial policies and regulations.
• Support the creation and exchange of knowledge relevant to the project.
• Perform other functions within their functional profile deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Office and the Organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED