Background

The Government of Afghanistan developed the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme (APRP) following the endorsement of the programme concept at the London conference. The programme was also endorsed by the Consultative Peace Jirga (national consultation process) and the Kabul Conference. A Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund (P&RTF) to finance the Afghan-led APRP has also been established.

The P&RTF is a source for channeling donor and Government funding as applicable towards the APRP activities implemented through different authorities and institutional entities, including:

• Line Ministries, Provincial Authorities, District Authorities, and Local Communities. NGOs and Civil Society Organizations implement APRP activities as opportunities to do so emerge.
  

The Trust Fund is divided into three windows:

• A-Funds are distributed to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) National Solidarity Program (NSP); B-Funds are managed by the Joint Secretariat of the High Peace Council (HPC/JS) under a National Implementation Modality (NIM) with oversight by UNDP; C-Funds are provided directly to the HPC/JS.

As indicated above, under NIM, UNDP, as one of the key partners of the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) with respect to the APRP, is responsible for supporting the Joint Secretariat of the High Peace Council (HPC/JS) in managing the activities and finances of Window B. As requested by the Government, UNDP provides support and technical assistance to the Peace and Reintegration Programme both at the national and sub-national levels.  

To facilitate this support to the GoA, UNDP has set up a national office and six regional offices, with UNDP national and international staff supporting the program.

To guide its work in Afghanistan, UNDP hjas developed six thematic strategies, including a strategy on Sub National Governance and Development. APRP is implemented in the context of this strategy and issues related to conflict prevention and peace building especially at sub national level are fostered through APRP.

Based in the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme Joint Secretariat (JS), the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will work under the direct guidance UNDP Country Director and direct supervision of the Senior Deputy Country Director (Programme)  and in close collaboration with the Assistant Country Director Sub-National Governance (ACD SNG).  

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Under the strategic guidance of the Country Director, direct supervision of the Senior Country Director (Programme) and regular programmatic guidance of ACD SNG, the CTA will be responsible for the overall project management and technical advice. The CTA will work together with the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme Leadership and other stakeholders and be a focal point for donors.   

• Serve as senior policy advisor to the APRP leadership and UNDP senior management in the area of peace building, reintegration, community recovery and development;
• Provide political, institutional and policy advice on all aspects of peace and reintegration, administration and management;  
• Highlight key peace building and reintegration issues, strategic opportunities and significant challenges and risks faced by the programme in the form of professional papers and reports; provide policy advice based on best possible global experiences;
• Provide intellectual leadership in the area of disarmament, peace building, reintegration and development through identification of key policy and programme issues. Stimulate strategic thinking in the mentioned area and tap into opportunities;
• Formulate policy options for UNDP on supporting peace building, disarmament and reintegration;
• Lead and monitor the implementation of policy advisory services as well as delivery of national policy products.
• Organize network of prominent, policy-focused national and international experts and support a series of dialogue workshops or roundtables. Build alliances for policy reform amongst national and international peace building, disarmament and development institutions;
• Document best practices, including concepts, strategies and implementation approaches and support the streamlining of programme policies and practices;
• Prepare project proposals with the APRP secretariat.  

Programme Support:

• Regularly monitor programme implementation and make informed decisions for timely adjustments to the UNDP support to the APRP strategic focus;
• Provide advice to UNDP CO senior management, based on the monitoring of implementation support to the APRP secretariat and other stakeholders by the government and international donors and on strategies for successful implementation of the project. Such advisory documents should be based on monitoring reports;
• Support development and implementation of project concepts in support of peace and reintegration;
• Regularly review overall APRP programmatic structure and advise the APRP leadership for programmatic adjustments in order to achieve programmatic efficiency and effectiveness;
• Come up with innovative interventions to be embedded in APRP for improved project effectiveness;
• Ensure systematic capturing of the project results i.e. outputs, country programme outcomes and longer term impact through sound M&E mechanisms;
• Support UNDP leadership in forming a strategic thinking for better positioning of UNDP vis a vis APRP.

Coordination and Management:

• Ensure coordination among all stakeholders on the UNDP support to the APRP for improved result delivery;
• Coordinate with all government actors involved in APRP for assurance of timely delivery of UNDP resources allocated for APRP funded projects;
• Coordinate closely with the Programme and Operational units in the Country Office for effective and efficient delivery of project results;
• Manage and supervise all UNDP staff deployed in operational and programmatic support in APRP secretariat for effective and efficient delivery of support services;
• Ensure that CTA’s office is a coordination cell of UNDP in APRP secretariat resulting in enhanced and effective presence of UNDP;
• Ensure that actions on all corporate requirements such as reporting, planning, monitoring, project board organization, and others, are done in a timely manner.       
  

Marketing and Advocacy:

• Disseminate the information on best practices and be active member of the UNDP global and regional networks.
• Encourage knowledge sharing and dissemination of lessons learned with external partners and institutions;
• Ensure preparation of brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination of UNDP assistance in the area of peace and reintegration;
• Prepare professional articles and papers;
• Expand outreach to the UN, national government, local authorities, private sector, non-government and international development organizations.

Strategic partnerships, Coordination and Resource Mobilization:

• Be the resource person on peace building, disarmament, reintegration, development, and strategic communication policies and strategies, if required, for the international development community;
• Analyze information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for cost sharing;
• Mobilize and network with the experts of international development community, government partners, UN Agencies and prominent think tanks. Build and maintain excellent relations with partners;
• Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector;
• Build strategic partnership with UNDP Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery for mobilization of technical expertise and advices.

Competencies

• 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;
• Proven ability to work in a multi - cultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
• Dedication to the United Nations principles, to promotion of equal rights of men and women, and respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity;

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• In-depth knowledge on development issues;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Proven experience in partnership building and networking;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including excel, power-point and word;

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
• Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit;
• Strong IT skills;
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Prince 2 training and certification;
• Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;
• Sound time management and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks;
• Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic with sound judgment;
• Proven management experience with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle in the field of elections (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation);
• Proven skills in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced University degree in international relations, conflict management, public administration, social sciences or other relevant fields.

• At least 15 years of relevant experience working on small arms reduction, disarmament, DDR programs, post conflict reconstruction and recovery and security sector reform;
• Detailed knowledge of development process and post-conflict related issues particularly on the DDR process;
• Experience of managing a large UNDP programme/project with programming and operations responsibility will be preferable;
• Extensive field experience working in post conflict settings and challenging environments is mandatory;
• Knowledge of Afghanistan’s culture, tradition and Islamic context is a plus.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of English;
  
• Working knowledge of Dari, Pashto is a strong asset.

• Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcementand please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form);
• Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants 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 6 weeks of the offer of appointment;
• Internal candidates who have served a minimum of 12 month in the current assignment are invited to apply;
• Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.