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
 
Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) of UNDP Country Office plays catalytic role to facilitate resilience based sustainable development in Afghanistan by undertaking appropriate policy and programmatic interventions for integrating sustainable development principles in the national, sub-national and local development framework. SDU is supporting the government in dealing with the challenges to comply with Rio and other multilateral conventions, Rio +20, Post 2015 Development processes and actions, as well as climate resilient sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and early recovery issues. 
  
Organizational Context:
 
The Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) is guided by UNDP corporate strategic documents, resolutions and decisions, in adopting and accomplishing development interventions. National priorities for the Natural Resources, Community Resilience, Environment and Energy sectors form the basis for SDU development interventions within UNDP Afghanistan Country Office. Current and upcoming UNDAF, CPD and CPAP determine the area of development intervention for Sustainable Development Unit in Environment, Natural Resource Management, Green Development, Climate Change and Energy as well as Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience. Overall, the work of Sustainable Development Unit is guided by UNDP Sr. Management guidance and direction.
 
The guiding principles for the UNDP Country Office in Afghanistan to position its development premise are grounded on the systematic approach in (i) defining focus considering the development context and UNDP’s comparative advantage; (ii) identifying appropriate strategies, (iii) attentive to results and (iv) ensuring accountability.  The key programmatic focus areas of UNDP Afghanistan are:
 
  • Inclusive and Legitimate Politics
  • Sub-National Governance and Development
  • Justice, Human Rights, and Rule of Law
  • Gender and Women’s Empowerment
  • Capacity Development
  • Poverty – Environment [including the humanitarian-development nexus]
To be fully compatible with the development context and the priorities, SDU interventions will be centered on the following thematic areas:
  • land and water resources management for peace building and economic development;
  • co-management of productive ecosystems and sustainable livelihood;
  • disaster risk reduction and community resilience;
  • energy efficiency and development of renewable energy technology systems for rural and urban areas;
  • pro-environment and pro-poor sustainable mining;
  • low emission and climate resilient cities and localities;
  • climate change adaptation specifically in agriculture, water and infrastructure sectors;
  • pollution abatement including waste management
 Heavy rainfall resulting in flash floods on 24-25 April 2014 impacted 34 districts across 10 provinces of northern Afghanistan. According to provincial sources 132 people died. While the numbers remain subject to verification, more than 39,000 Afghans have been affected by the floods to date and are in need of assistance; almost 16,000 of these have been displaced. Across the provinces flood waters have destroyed homes, public infrastructure and roads. Thousands of hectares of agricultural land have been seriously affected.  
  
Subsequently, on 2 May 2014 a devastating landslide occurred in Nowabad area of Argo district in Badakhshan province. A rapid assessment by Provincial Governor, ANDMA, Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), IOM carried out immediately after the disaster revealed that 1000 families have been affected. Out of 1000, 300 houses are completely destroyed. It is estimated that 2700 people are missing. It was also reported that the dead bodies are buried naturally because of the landslide. 700 families are at high-risk of being victim of further landslide. They left their houses to resettle in a neighboring village (Khams Sala village). These 700 families are living in open space and they are in need of water, food and non-food items, tents, sanitation, emergency medical care, and protection. Search, rescue and providing humanitarian assistance is being extremely challenging because of the prevailing situation in terms of further risks of having additional land slides, flooding and remoteness of the area. Government communicated their inability and capacity-gap to deal with the situation. Currently, the Afghan National Security Forces, provincial government, ARCS, and several NGOs are engaged in search and rescue. Afghan Government and humanitarian organizations have been mobilized at national and provincial level.
 
While humanitarian assistance is still ongoing, in response to government request, UNDP has been engaged in to administer early recovery needs assessment (ERNA) and to prepare a comprehensive recovery plan linking with long term resilience building at the community level. As a part of this, Resident Coordinator’s Office would be the main coordination entity from the UN side

Duties and Responsibilities

This assignment is intended to contribute in strengthening the Resident Coordinator’s Office to carry out its responsibility in the process of early recovery needs assessment (ERNA) and Recovery planning.
 
The National Officer will be based in RC Office under the direct supervision of the Head of RC Office. The National Officer will be working closely with the Programme Officer (DRR) of UNDP Country Office. Under the guidance of Head of RC Office, the National Officer will also regularly coordinate and work with ANDMA, MRRD, UN organizations and other DRR stakeholders. The National Officer will also be responsible for ensuring proper data and information management as well as organizing relevant technical, knowledge management, coordination and policy events.
 
The National Officer will be responsible for the following:
 
  • Information management: Assist the RC office in data collection and information in relation to (i) damage; (ii) who is doing what; (iii) what are the ongoing and upcoming activities; and (iv) collection and compilation of data and information from different sources such as government including local government, UN agencies, NGO/CSOs, as well as other multilateral and bilateral agencies. This would be enabling for the RCO to effectively coordinate with the other institutional stakeholders.
  • Coordination and communication:  Support RC Office to strengthen coordination and communication channel in a way so that RCO is able to act effectively at the level of UN System. The communication and coordination will be with all institutional stakeholders mentioned above to ensure that people are fully aware of the initiative, duplication is avoided and potential synergies are leveraged. 
  • Knowledge management and informed decision making: Assist RC office to convene substantive consultative sessions on relevant matters such as ER, Rehabilitation and DRR best practices in different countries, linkages between DRR and climate change adaptation, programmatic and strategic opportunities in enhancing community resilience
  • Facilitate implementation of the Recovery Plan: Support RC Office in facilitating the implementation of Early Recovery Plan. As part of facilitation from the RC Office, efforts will be there to engage relevant government agencies (NDMC, MRRD, ANDMA, Provincial and Local Government), UN agencies, donors and NGOs. Special focus has to be there to build a consensus among the actors that the plan would be the basis for all to act and it would be implemented in a coherent, concerted and coordinated manner
  • ERNA and Recovery Planning: Ensure proper coordination with UNDP, and other concerned organizations.
  • Reporting: Preparation of monthly and quarterly reporting to both RC office and UNDP on project activities and preparation of project final report to be submitted to both RC office and UNDP
  • Other responsibilities: Provide strategic inputs to the RCO on early recovery issues; ensures that cross-cutting issues (gender, human rights, environment, and climate change) are taken into account; prepares an strategy for ER as well as relevant reports. The National Officer will carry out other tasks as deemed necessary and/or advised by the supervisor.  
Impact of Results:
 
The National Officer for early recovery and rehabilitation is expected to assist RC office to employ a participatory approach, with inputs from as wide a cross section as possible, to ensure that early recovery aspects are correctly assessed, and utilized for creation of early recovery need assessment and implementation of ER Plan. Especially, he/she will be responsible to assist Head of RC office for providing critical technical inputs to the preparation of assessment and plan. In addition, overall management and supervision of partner NGO activities shall be part of the National Officer’s duties.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
  • Respects and practices UN’s anti-corruption norms
Technical Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued personal learning and development;
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
  • Working knowledge of early recovery and rehabilitation issues in Afghanistan in general.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of Programmes;
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision;
  • Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development Programmes.
 Management and Leadership
  • Builds strong relationships with all partners, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to critical feedback; 
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovative solutions;
  • 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;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to work in multi-culture environment
  • Ability to multi-task and work against tight timeline

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master or Bachelor degree in Disaster Management or Earth of Social Sciences disciplines.
Experience:
  • With Master degree 2 years and with Bachelor degree 4 years of relevant  experience in early recovery needs assessment (ERNA), Disaster Risk Management and Recovery Coordination
  • Prior experience of working in the UN system will be an asset.
  • Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting as well as in post conflict reconstruction situation.
  • Excellent knowledge of and experience with RBM methodologies and tools (project and programme management, design, monitoring and evaluation) and report writing.
  • Experience in usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
  • Translation skills from English to Pashto/Dari and vice versa would be advantage.
Language Requirements:
  • Strong written and spoken skill of English, Pashto and Dari languages 
Note:
 
Interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm  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 applications who are short-listed will be contacted.
 
For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af 
The vacancy announcement is open only for Afghan national(s) applicants 
 
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply