Background

The National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP) is one of the national priority programmes of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), funded and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). NABDP commenced as a joint initiative of the MRRD and UNDP in 2002, with the goal of contributing to a sustainable reduction of poverty and an improvement of livelihoods in rural Afghanistan. Phase-II focused on support to local governance, poverty reduction, and institutional capacity development, whilst linking with Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and Agricultural Rural Development Sector Strategy (ARDSS) frameworks. The Phase III of NABDP is viewed as a five-year commitment by MRRD to take the next step in the continuum of national programme development, with a shift of focus from construction of infrastructure to community development for capacity building of local governance structures, rural renewable energy initiatives, and productive infrastructure for agriculture and rural development , whilst ensuring synergies between all MRRD programmes including Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Programme (AREDP).

NABDP has a large portfolio of projects in the West of the Country in the provinces of Bagdhis, Farah, Ghor and Herat and the focus of this post would be taking the lead on all project issues from a Strategic, Planning and Implementation perspective in this part of the country. The key donors for this region are Italy and Spain although there is a small amount of funding available from other donors. In particular the Spanish have committed a large amount of funding for water projects in Bagdhis and a key element of this post will involve managing the implementation of these funds in what is a very difficult region and liaising with the donor representatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision by the UNDP Senior Deputy Country Director/Programme and daily interaction and coordination with Project Manager and CTA, the incumbent will play a lead role in managing and coordinating the implementation of all NABDP related activities in the Western Region

Content and methodology of supervision: Application of the UNDP’s Performance Management. Development (PMD) processes combined with quarterly reviews of activities and performance.

The Western Region Coordinator will be responsible for the following functions:

• Planning coordination;
• Implementation  and coordination;
• Capacity building;
• Communication and advocacy;
• Resource mobilization;
• Reporting and Monitoring and Evaluation;
• Knowledge management.

• Facilitate and support the NABDP team in Western Region, on the preparation of annual work plans, budgets and results frameworks. Consolidate the Work Plans and the Annual Budget and present them to the NABDP Management for revision and approval.

Implementation and Coordination

• Ensure and monitor projection implementation in compliance with the workplan;
• Design and lead coordination mechanisms in full consultation with all partners; in particular coordinate closely with the other UNDP projects working in the Western Region which include but are not limited to the Afghanistan Sub National Governance Support Project (ASGP), the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Project (APRP), and the Gender Empowerment Project (GEP);
• Provide regular reports and updates on project implementation as and when required by the NABDP senior management;
• Liaise and coordinate with other UN interventions in the Western Region;
• Monitor the delivery/implementation of all three project outputs and visit project sites throughout the region as and when required;
• Facilitate resolution of disputes among partners and troubleshoot obstacles to ensure timely implementation;
• Lead the process of managing financial resources for achieving results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the Annual Work Plan;
• Work closely with the Regional Project Management and Provincial Project Managers in the management of the available resources in order to ensure that the anticipated results are achieved in the most efficient manner;
• Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports and organize, correspondingly quarterly and annual progress reviews;
• Establish strong and effective relationships with Government Representatives and Institutions at every level in the region;
• Fulfill a representative function both with Government and Donor communitites in coordination with the NABDP Project Manager.

Capacity Development

• Promote national ownership by supporting the government in its leadership role and strengthen the government’s capacity to fulfil this role;
• Facilitate the capacity development of key project personnel via a support mentoring approach;
• Promote the capacity development approach developed by UN partners and, in consultation with the Government and UN partners, implement transfer of know-how through training and learning events;
• Document the experience of capacity development initiatives and lessons learned;
• Monitor the achievements of capacity development initiatives and ensure follow-up support.

Communication & Advocacy

• Establish and facilitate implementation of the communications and public information plan in coordination with the project M & E/Communications advisor based in Kabul;
• Identify partnerships with media and others to increase the visibility of NABDP activities;
• Leverage programme outcomes through advocacy to create broader, systemic change;
• Disseminate the information on best practices and be an active member of the UN team in the Western region;
• Expand outreach to the UN, national government, local authorities, private sector, non-government and international development organizations.

• Network and build working relations with Government, UN and donor partners in coordination with the Project Management in Kabul;
• Prepare proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector;
• Mobilize resources to support and expand the achievement of NABDP outputs and outcomes.

Reporting & Monitoring and Evaluation

• Work in close coordination with the M & E focal point on the development of quarterly reports;
• Ensure the necessary monitoring systems are in place and the necessary data collected for each of the project outputs;
• Ensure that corrective actions are taken as a result of M&E findings;
• Ensure transparency of the M&E process by disseminating information to partners and relevant stakeholders;
• Play a lead role in the coordination with other UNDP and UN projects on all monitoring and evaluation issues.

Knowledge Management

• Lead the process of knowledge creation and dissemination related to national and international organizations in the region. In this context, partner with practitioners and members of the UN global networks and leadership of the practice and sub-practice teams in the partner UN entities;
• Lead the analytical development work of the team and ensure high quality knowledge products. Promote the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensures effective integration and compatibility with other practice areas;
• Contribute to the production of reports and publications, and serve as a peer reviewer when necessary;
• Forge links with other initiatives/projects to identify best practices and share lessons.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Dedication to the United Nations principles, to promotion of equal rights of men and women, and respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• In-depth knowledge on development issues;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Skill in advocacy and leveraging programming to promote broader lessons learned and policy change;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

• Commitment and skill in promoting national ownership of programming;
• Ability to promote team work and shared ownership and commitment to a joint programme;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
• 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 results based management;
• Strong IT skills;
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

• 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;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to a rapidly evolving environment;

Required Skills and Experience

• Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Development, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Management or another relevant field.

• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in the areas of international development and project management;
• Experience in designing and implementing projects;
• Experience of working in a post-conflict and/or Islamic setting;
• Proven management experience, preferably in a post conflict context such as Afghanistan would be an advantage.
• Proven skills in effective resource mobilization and donor relations;
• Proven experience in partnership building and networking;
• Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, PowerPoint and Word; and
• Knowledge of Afghanistan’s culture, tradition and Islamic context would be an advantage.

• Excellent knowledge of English and ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English;
  
• Working knowledge of Dari, Pashto, Italian or Spanish  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.