UNDP Jobs

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

• Building robust government institutions for effective governance and a professional and responsive civil service with the overall aim of improving service delivery to Afghan people is one of the top priorities of the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRA). In the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), Capacity Development (CD) has been identified as a cross cutting issue and the improvement of public sector capacity in particular as the key challenge to development in Afghanistan. It has been recognized that unless adequate capacities are built, technical and financial support will remain underutilized to the detriment of the development process.
• The National Institution Building Project (NIBP), to be implemented over four years (2010-2013) provides a comprehensive package of CD support required by the government at the national and sub-national levels. The primary objectives of the project is to enhance capacity within the ministries at all three levels, namely institutional, organizational and individual which would ultimately result into improved service delivery through an efficient, organized and trained civil service. The visible impact would be better budget utilization, rationalized organization structures and well trained civil servants.
• The results of NIBP are achieved primarily through provision of services of Capacity Development Advisors (CDAs) in select government entities at national and sub-national level to provide coaching and advisory services for institutional strengthening, organizational reforms and skills development. At the sub-national level, the focus of CD under the project is to enhance the planning, implementation and monitoring capacity within the provincial departments of ministries/agencies.
• Public administration in Afghanistan suffers from systemic problems of fragmented structures, lack of skilled professionals, recruitment and performance management as well as little delegation to provincial departments. While most government services are delivered at provincial and district levels, powers and responsibilities of sub-national administration are determined by the centre. Expenditures at provincial and local levels are made through national programmes carried out by provincial arms of central ministries. The GIRA has taken several steps towards strengthening sub-national governance and local administration in Afghanistan. CD at sub-national level in Afghanistan faces myriad challenges, which include factors such as institutional weaknesses, lack of talent pool and poor human capacities etc. The overall goal of the government is to improve delivery of public services. However, wide disparities exist across Afghanistan at sub-national level in terms of capacity to deliver public services. Building capacity in terms of transfer of knowledge and skills at sub-national level in Afghanistan has largely suffered from the gap in demand and supply.
• The assignment under this TOR for a CDA at sub-national level is to develop the capacity of provincial departments of ministries / agencies of the government in priority sectors such as Agriculture, Education, Public Health, Rural Development and other sectors primarily dealing with direct service delivery to the citizens of Afghanistan.

The methodology for undertaking the assignment shall be in accordance with the NIBP project document and UNDP’s standard methodology for Capacity Assessment and Capacity Development.

The Advisor shall be responsible to the NIBP Project Manager.

Reporting requirements - The Advisor shall submit the following reports:

• Monthly Output / Activity / Progress report for the tasks in the TOR;
• Quarterly Output / Activity / progress report for the tasks in the TOR;
• Any other information and reports requested from time to time.

The objectives of the assignment is to develop institutional and administrative capacities to manage basic services in the local administration through reforming organizational structures, developing essential skills and knowledge of civil servants, and streamlining management process for basic service delivery. The CDA will contribute towards development of sustainable capacities within the assigned provincial departments of ministry / agency.

The CDA will work with the staff of assigned provincial departments of ministries/agencies to assist in developing their  knowledge and skills. The main responsibilities of the CDA will include;

• Advise the Provincial Office of Ministry / Agency and the Office of the Provincial Governor on PAR (Public Administration Reform), ANDS (Afghanistan National Development Strategy), Sub-National Governance policy in the province, etc.
• Undertake a Capacity Assessment (CA) in accordance with UNDP’s approach to “CA and CA linked CD strategies” and additional guidelines provided by the project from time to time.
• Based upon the CA and reviews of relevant documents, prepare a Capacity Development Plan (CDP). Advise / assist in developing institutional and organizational capacity to meet ANDS goals and PAR in general and implementation of the CDP (developed by the CDA under NIBP) in particular.
• Advise/assist in preparation of specific policies & strategies and accompanying procedures for effective discharge of functions and for improved service delivery to citizens.
• Support the development of a medium term strategic plan that includes organizational and structural issues for offices at sub-national level.
• Advise/assist in preparing restructuring proposal, and associated activities like preparation of TORs for various positions and in devising procedures so as to implement the reform process.
• Develop capacity and assist in preparation of manuals, work processes, systems and related materials on organizational reform to facilitate rapid implementation and undertake coaching for capacity development of the designated staff for the same.
• Advise/Assist in formulating and implementing procedures for carrying out crosscutting functions like gender equity, environment, anti-corruption, etc.
• Provide on the job training using “coaching and mentoring” to develop individual capacity of the counterparts to meet organization goals.
• Develop capacity in planning, implementation and monitoring as well as general administration and office management at sub-national level using coaching and mentoring as the methodology for capacity development.
• Develop capacity and assist in liaison with other government offices, international agencies, NGOs, provincial councils, districts and municipalities.
• Develop capacity and support in formulation of procedures for provincial and district level administration to clarify the roles and responsibilities and relationships between sub-national government agencies as well as with the centre.
• Support in identifying and conducting training workshops and seminars as necessary to establish a sustainable process for future restructuring or organizational changes.
• Assist in development of knowledge products.
• Any other task assigned by the NIBP Project Manager.

The outputs of the assignment are:

• A Work Plan for the assignment.
• A Capacity Development Plan inclusive of the Capacity Assessment report.
• Capacity of assigned staff of provincial departments of ministry / agency especially the senior management and others, developed in accordance with agreed work plan such that they are able to manage the affairs with minimum support.
• Identified manuals, procedures, guidelines and other knowledge products.
• A prototype methodology for CD at sub-national level for strengthening institutional capacity and for creating an efficient and capable public sector workforce.

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

• Master’s degree in international development or public administration or management or other relevant social sciences or equivalent.

• 10 years of relevant work experience in development in a governmental or multilateral organization.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting as well as in post conflict reconstruction situation. Experience of Afghanistan is desirable.
• Experience of providing advisory services in the area of capacity development.
• Experience of governance and public sector management in general and public sector capacity development in particular, at both national and sub-national level in developing countries. Experience of related sector (Agriculture, Education, Public Health, Rural Development and other sectors dealing with direct service delivery to the citizens) shall be a pre-requisite for consideration for the position of CDA for a given ministry / agency.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).

• Strong written and spoken skill of English language

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://jobs.undp.org/ or http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm. . . .

Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (available at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm) in the relevant field of the on-line applications

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications who are short-listed will be contacted.

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af

• Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 3 weeks of the offer of appointment.
• Internal candidates who have served a minimum of 12 months in the current assignment are invited to apply.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.