Technical And Operational Assistant For The Scholarship Subsidy Programme

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Panama partners with national entities to support integrated solutions aligned with national priorities. This role supports the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT) in executing the SENACYT Scholarship Subsidy Programme, a national strategy to strengthen human capital in science, technology, and innovation. The position is within SENACYT's Directorate of Scientific and Technological Capacity Development, Department of Scholarships, and operates from SENACYT's office in Ciudad del Saber, Clayton.

Job Purpose

The Technical and Operational Assistant for the Scholarship Subsidy Programme plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective technical and operational execution of the SENACYT Scholarship Programme. This position supports the achievement of project goals by managing financial analyses, payment processing, and financial reporting. The role involves rigorous evaluation of co-borrower financial capacity, precise preparation and control of scholarship payment schedules, and the generation of accurate financial balances. Additionally, it facilitates official communications with universities and scholarship recipients regarding financial status and payment dates, maintains updated financial records and reports for audits, and ensures adherence to institutional financial policies. The position contributes to strengthening national capacity in science, technology, and innovation by supporting the efficient administration of scholarships.

Responsibilities

The Technical and Operational Assistant is responsible for conducting thorough financial analyses of co-borrowers and involved parties to assess economic capacity and financial standing. This includes preparing, reviewing, and controlling scholarship payment schedules accurately and on time. The role involves generating financial balances that faithfully reflect the economic and budgetary status of the programs. Key duties also include managing official notifications to universities and communicating effectively with scholarship recipients about payment status and dates. Maintaining updated financial documentation and reports for audits and internal tracking is essential. The assistant must ensure all financial actions comply with institutional policies and regulations and support knowledge management activities for the project. Additional functions necessary for the efficient operation of the office and the organization may also be assigned.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in administrative, financial, accounting, or economic analysis areas is required with a secondary education. If holding a completed licenciatura, two years of relevant experience is sufficient. Experience in financial data analysis, generating reports, budget preparation, and financial balance statements is essential. Experience with financial software (e.g., SAP) and advanced Excel proficiency is also required.

Skills

Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial software (SAP or similar). Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and virtual platforms (Teams, Zoom). Experience in financial data analysis and report generation. Experience in budget preparation and financial balance statements. Strong analytical skills. Excellent communication and organizational abilities. Fluency in Spanish is required; basic English is desirable.

Explore related opportunities