Antecedentes

The Afghanistan Sub-national Governance Programme (ASGP) plays a key role in developing the capacity and systems to ensure effective implementation of sub-national governance strategies outlined in the Afghan National Development Strategy and the Afghanistan Compact. ASGP works through key partners in the Afghan government, most directly with the Independent Directorate of Local Governance. The Programme provides: 

• Support to central government agencies responsible for formulating and implementing sub-national governance policy and developing the legal and regulatory framework. This support focuses on developing awareness on the functions of the central government, facilitating national dialogue on sub-national governance, and technical support to key ministries. ASGP also provides support to strengthen national capacities in programming, administrative management, financial management and systems design;

• Support to the government’s public administration reform strategy to build institutional and administrative capacities in provincial, district and municipal administrations to manage basic service delivery through reforming organizational structures, streamlining management processes, developing essential skills and knowledge of civil servants and improving management of public service delivery;

• Support for the development of representation and participation in sub-national governance by strengthening the capacity of provincial councils, supporting knowledge sharing and exchange among provincial councils and conducting awareness-raising and civic education campaigns to help citizens participate in conflict-sensitive governance.  

Since the inception of ASGP in 2006, the Government of Afghanistan and the international community have placed increasing emphasis on the importance of sub-national governance. Recognizing the need for reform, the Government of Afghanistan has drafted a new policy for sub-national governance that comprehensively reforms the roles and responsibilities of sub-national entities. ASGP has provided technical assistance in the drafting of the policy, and as the Government initiates implementation, ASGP will assist IDLG in the management of policy implementation. 

 

Level of Responsibility/Accountability 

 

The Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) will manage ASGP’s programme of support to the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) at the national level, which will include a programme of support on policy implementation, a programme of support on capacity development, and a programme of support on improvement of financial management. The Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) will also provide strategic and programmatic advice to the leadership of IDLG. 

 

The Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) will assist IDLG in shaping its strategic vision for institutional development and in addressing major strategic issues in the implementation of an ambitious programme of governance reform and policy implementation. The work supervised by the Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) will support the national-level reform process that will involve amendments to  legislation and government rules of procedure.

 

Within ASGP, the Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) will ensure that the work of national and international technical staff is consistent with the strategic vision of IDLG and of high technical quality.  

Enabling Environment 

ASGP has, to date, been primarily active in shaping the subnational governance policy in partnership with IDLG. ASGP staff have participated in discussions and analyses of the policy in partnership with the international community, and have established ASGP as one of the leading international programmes working on subnational governance reform in Afghanistan.  

ASGP has also played the leading role in the institutional development of IDLG, developing several functions within IDLG and a programme of assistance to IDLG’s finance and administration department. 

 

Internal/External Focus of the Job

 

The Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) is expected to work closely with the senior management and leadership of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance on a regular basis, and   to communicate regularly and frequently with team leaders and senior technical experts from other international organizations. The Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) is expected to build collaborative relationships and ensure timely and effective communications to maximize support for the subnational reform process. Within the project, the Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) will be a team leader, who will manage a group of national and international subject experts all focused on delivering support to IDLG at the national level. The Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP)  will be expected to provide strategic and technical assistance to the team, hold it accountable for its work, and be accountable himself/herself for the team’s performance. 

 

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The Programme Specialist (IDLG, ASGP) will work under the overall guidance of the ASGP Project Manager. 

 

Summary of key functions:

 

·          Manage ASGP’s overall programme of assistance to develop the capacity of IDLG’s central structure; 

·          Provide strategic advice to the senior leadership of IDLG;

·          Assist the management of IDLG in upgrading the capacity of its staff and systems; 

·          Assist IDLG in mobilizing resources to strengthen its capacity.

Manage ASGP’s overall programme of assistance to develop the capacity of IDLG’s central structure to develop

and implement policy, and provide oversight and coordination among sub- national government structures. Key

Results are: 

 

·         Effective programme of support to the IDLG policy process; 

·         Organizational and institutional development programmes in place for key IDLG functional and administrative units;

·          Structures and systems for coordination between IDLG and ASGP instituted; 

·          Performance management system for ASGP assistance to IDLG in place. 

 

Provide strategic advice to the senior leadership of IDLG on strategic, organizational and technical issues

relating to IDLG, local governance and conditions in the provinces, districts, villages and municipalities. Key

Results are:  

 

·          Policy positions and statements related to local governance; 

·          Analyses and research on issues affecting the sub - national level of governance;

·          Improved management of IDLG programme portfolio;

·          Communication products and services;

·          Guidance and technical support to the strategic planning processes. 

 

Assist the management of IDLG in upgrading the capacity of its staff and systems in the Kabul office. Key

Results are:

 

·          Capacity building strategy updated; 

·          Change management unit established in IDLG;

·          System for coordination of 3rd party capacity building programmes in place;

·          Performance management system for IDLG staff and operating units established;

·          Strategic communications function in IDLG strengthened;

·          Systems for coaching, mentoring and training established. 

 

Assist IDLG in mobilizing resources to strengthen the capacity of IDLG’s Kabul office to oversee sub – national

policy and coordinate with ministries to improve the capacity of local government. Key Results are: 

 

·          IDLG budget and budgetary systems aligned with objectives;

·          Requests and funding proposals prepared;

·          Systems for follow-up on requests and funding proposals instituted;

·          ASGP/UNDP donor/stakeholder communications supported. 

Competencias

Corporate Responsibility and teamwork:

 

·          Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP; 

·          Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time; 

·          Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others; 

·          Responds flexibly and positively to change through active involvement; 

·          Accepts additional responsibilities as required by the demands of service. 

 

People Skills:

 

·          Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others; gives credit to the contributions of others;

·          Establishes clear performance goals, standards, and responsibilities; manages them accordingly; 

·          Promotes a learning environment and facilitates the development of individual and team competencies. 

 

Partnering and Networking:

 

·          Initiates and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/ external/bilateral/public/private/NGO);

·          Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP. 

 

Results-Orientation: 

 

·          Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals.

 

Innovation and Judgment:

 

·          Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situations; 

·          Pursues own personal and professional development. 

 

Communication: 

 

·          Formulates written information clearly and persuasively; 

·          Presents oral information clearly and persuasively. 

 

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

 

·         Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence; 

·          Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;

·          Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource;

·          Is motivated and demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development and learn.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

 

·          Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy or related filed. 

 

Experience: 

 

·          Minimum seven 7 years of experience in advising senior management;

·          Experience in organizational development, capacity building, programme development, public policy, public finance, strategic planning and strategy development;

·          Experience working with national-level local government organizations (e.g. Ministry of Local Government) a strong plus; 

·          Previous experience in under-developed and post-conflict countries highly desirable. 

 

Language Requirements: 

 

·          Excellent command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of a Dari and/or Pashtu would be an asset.

 

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 08 December 2009 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 

 

Candidates, who are currently holding UNDP or UN Agencies contracts, are asked to declare the type contract and duration, in their application”. 

 

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.