The objective of the DTTA is to strengthen and develop the knowledge and skills of the JPOs/SDPs in a manner relevant to their assignment in order to enhance their performance.

For this reason, the DTTA is to be utilized throughout the assignment and no later than 2 months before the end of the contract (COB).

Utilisation of the DTTA funds

Utilisation of the DTTA funds must be done in consultation with the JPO/SDP's direct supervisor. An experienced and properly trained member of the respective senior management team will make the final decision after considering the interests of the office and the JPO.

Written authorisation for charging relevant DTTA costs up to the amount allocated by the donor to the JPO/SDP's account is provided by the JPO Service Centre to the country office upon arrival of the JPO. Such authorisation is valid for the entire duration of the donor-funded JPO/SDP assignment. Unspent funds can be carried over to the following JPO/SDP contract year.

Only those accounting entries which have been specifically authorised by the UNDP JPO Service Centre will be accepted as valid charges to the respective JPO/SDP budget.

Management of the DTTA account

Management of the DTTA account is decentralized to the country offices, including the monitoring of the amount available. It is incumbent, however, in the senior management of the country office to ensure that only those training/learning activities, which are relevant to the JPO/SDP assignment, are authorized and that the following control mechanisms and guidelines are strictly adhered to:

• "Running balance" spreadsheets, showing all the transactions charged to DTTA (broken down by name) should be attached to all budgets. 
• As a general rule, the DTTA should not be used for language and computer training in view of the fact that these types of training are a prerequisite for selection and are normally provided by the sponsoring government prior to the JPO assignment. Language and computer training on exceptional cases have to be authorized by the sponsoring government.

JPOs funded by Belgium may not use their DTTA for travel expenses or trainings in the country of origin.

JPOs funded by Germany may use their DTTA for language training, with the approval of their supervisor, if deemed necessary for the performance of their duties and if language training can't otherwise be provided free of charge.

JPOs funded by Switzerland may use their DTTA in exceptional cases for language courses, such as Russian or Arabic, when these can contribute to the JPO's understanding of the country in which they are and when communication with communities is thus made easier. In case they are expensive, the DTTA budget line can be exceptionally increased.

• The DTTA should not be used for studies leading to obtaining a degree, as this is a selection prerequisite of the JPO programme.
• The DTTA is intended for use in the country of assignment, but at the discretion of senior management, training/learning activities abroad, as well as participation in regional JPO workshops may be authorized. 
• The DTTA should not be used to cover training and travel costs related to training courses in the home country. Authorization from the sponsoring government is needed in exceptional cases.
• The ratio of training-related travel costs and training/learning per se should be reasonable. It is expected that travel and accommodation costs will not represent the major portion of the training/learning activity.

If JPOs/SDPs or their supervisors are in doubt about the DTTA eligibility of an intended training, they can consult the UNDP JPO Service Centre in advance.

DTTA Allocation by partner country

The DTTA is an allocation made by JPO partner countries on an annual basis and is available only during the partner country-funded period of the JPO assignment. The amount of the allocation per annum is partner country-specific and subject to change at short notice. When the JPO contract period is less than a year, the DTTA is pro-rated accordingly.

* DTTA funding only applies for the first 2 years of the assignment