Background

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

The Security Gap Project was a UNDP led capacity building effort, designed to develop and create a sustainable security force with the Ministry of Interior, Government of Afghanistan to sufficiently protect UN facilities, staff and assets in Afghanistan.

The Security Gap Project worked very closely with UNAMA and the UN Country Team to provide technical expertise and support to the Afghan Ministry of Interior (MOI) for the creation and maintenance of a dedicated UN Protection Force (DPII). The Security Gap Project was directly implemented in partnership with the Afghan Ministry of Interior, through the Planning Department for the Protection of UN facilities, staff and assets in Afghanistan.

The Security Gap Project, has recently concluded in December 2013 and has achieved the provision of a dedicated security service (DPII) to the UN under the MOI in CR, WR and ER. In accordance with the Country SRA, the dedicated UN protection force (DPII) is required to be established in all regions throughout the whole country in 2014 and beyond. The Security Project Specialist (DPII/MOI) position intends to enable the UNSMS to have a dedicated manager that can assist the UNSMS through the office of the CSA to coordinate and implement the force with the following general responsibilities.

Under the guidance of the Chief Security Adviser (CSA) the Security Project Specialist (DPII/MOI) is the POC for the deployment of DPII and related operational, training and administrative issues. In addition, the incumbent works in close collaboration with the Management Support and Business Development, Operations team in the CO, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts to successfully implement the deployment of the DPII in the remaining regions in Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Management for delivery of results;
• Provision of policy advice and guidance;
• Capacity development and training;
• Coordination, Cooperation and Reporting;
• Management for delivery of results.

Management for delivery of results:

• Develop and implement procedures that introduces major reforms in DPII procedures, contributing to its independence, sustainability and functionality;
• Introduce measures related to ensuring the proper translation of the procedures into action, with a focus on requirements to support the host government in meeting its security/protective obligations to the UN system;
• Facilitate the deployment of DPII to the remaining 5 regions, their associated training and effective coordination of activities with counterparts;
• Extend activities to the wider humanitarian community through DPII, and the viability of maintaining the project beyond 2014;
• Manage delivery of result by using up-to-date best practices and know-how in the subject area and accordingly plan delivery of resources;
• Prepare plan of action for project development;
• Provide leadership through identification of key policy issues and formulation of best possible and alternative options;
• Apply the guidelines/directions defined in the MOU.

• Provide overall policy advice to DPII in collaboration with the effort of the senior management on how to strengthen the role of the institution in the protection of the UN system and wider humanitarian community;
• Recommend amendments / revisions as relevant to existing DPII policies and procedures to enhance the ability of the host government, through DPII, to meet expected levels of protection to the UN system;
• Participate in operational planning of activities and ensure consistency with identified priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

• Oversight, guidance and advisory services to DPII to ensure applicability and implementation of required training programmes and quality control to the operationalization of training at each location;
• Prepare capacity development plan for the dedicated UN Protection Force taking into consideration the need of the UN system;
• Promote the capacity development approach developed by UNDP and implement transfer of know-how through a series of training and learning events;
• Document the experience of capacity development initiatives and amend relevant policies and procedures accordingly;
• Monitor the achievements of capacity development initiatives and ensure follow-up support.

• Ensure efficient coordination and operational cooperation between the UN system and DPII;
• Identify opportunities to enhance team-work within the project and coordination with counterparts;
• In cooperation with DPII assist with operational integration/administrative installation of the body with regional FSCO and UN entities;
• Visit all DPII sites regularly to ensure the required level of coordination and implementation on the ground.

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country programme. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the provision of dedicated security services to the UN throughout Afghanistan. In particular, the key results have an impact on the security of the United Nations by enabling the organization’s programme delivery and implementation.

Competencies

• Professionalism and Respect for Diversity are the United Nations core values.

• Ability to identify strategic goals, objectives, opportunities and risks; ability to inspire and motivate others to pursue the same.

• Proven ability to plan and organize work following identification of strategic priorities of relevant partners; versatility in planning and organizing a wide range of international activities in support of law enforcement.

• Set clear goals; delegate responsibility, clarify expectations and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; Support creativity and initiative;
  
• Proactively develop strategies to accomplish objectives; promote the development and career of staff under her / his supervision.

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

• Demonstrate sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems.

• Diplomacy, negotiation and excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written documents and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.

• Ability to deal honestly, openly and directly with personnel and sensitive issues.

• Proficiency in the use of computer and relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, presentation, graphics software, spreadsheets and other statistical applications, Internet, & familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.

• Provide leadership and take responsibility for ensuring appropriate attention to both gender balance and geographic;
  
• Representation in staffing and incorporating gender perspectives into the substantive work.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent credentials in Military/ Security/ Management/ Police Administration, or other pertinent field.

• With Master’s degree 5 years and with Bachelor degree 7 years of active police, military or security experience, most of which in police administrative and operational issues;
• In-depth understanding of police/security-security reform;
• Previous experience with bi-lateral cooperation and joint-training activities in a conflict/post-conflict environment would be an asset;
• Previous experience in managing specialized security services, diplomatic protection activities or dynamic physical security operations in the context of serving international community clients or the UN system is essential;
• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to democratic policing;
• Good knowledge of the conditions prevailing in Afghanistan and the region, with the ability to appraise and evaluate the implications of security, political, economic, developmental, cultural and historical sensitivities.

• Fluency in English, written and spoken is mandatory;
• Ability to communicate in Dari and/or Pashto is desirable.

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/ and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/ in the relevant field of the on-line application.

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

Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.