Background

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board for the period 2010-2013. UNDP Afghanistan is organized into (1) Policy and Results Management Directorate, (2) Policy and Programmes and (3) Operations. The Local Governance & Administration Unit is part of the Policy and Programmes. The Policy and Programme consists of the following clusters: (1) Democratic Governance Unit, (2) Energy and Environment Unit, (3) Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit, (4) Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Livelihoods Unit.  

 

The Programme Officer will work under the guidance of the Deputy Country Director and, under the direct supervision of Assistant Country Director. She/He will provide specialist advice to the Senior Management in the subject area and, in general, on all aspects of the Country Programme. She/he will be responsible for leading the assigned policy and programme portfolio through planning, implementing and managing the delivery of innovative policies and practices, programme development, capacity building, project monitoring and assurance, marketing and advocacy and knowledge services.  

 

In carrying out her/his responsibilities, She/he will advocate and promote the work of UNDP in Afghanistan and will also closely work and network with UNDP operations team and programme units, UNDP specialized project teams, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector, non-government and civil society organizations. She/he should be a core member of the regional and global network of UNDP specialists in the subject area.   

 

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Programme Officer (Local Governance & Administration) will be a specialist in the area of local governance and administration, covering civil service and public administration, sub-national and municipal governance and capacity development.  

 

Under the overall guidance of the Assistant Country Director (Local Governance and Administration), the  Programme Officer undertakes substantive duties and responsibilities at the sub-national levels that are focused on developing and implementing programmes, projects and activities in the areas of public administration reform and public sector capacity development. The Programme Officer will work as part of the team developing and implementing a range of programmatic activities under the governance portfolio and support the Assistant Country Director in all necessary tasks.  

 

Summary of key functions:  

 

  • Policy Advisory services;  
  • Programme Development Services;  
  • Project Assurance and Oversight: support to project implementation teams;  
  • Knowledge Management and Services;  
  • Marketing and Advocacy;  
  • Partnerships and Resource Mobilization.    

1.     Ensures to provide top quality policy advice, focusing on achievement of the following results:  

 

  • Scanning for global and local knowledge and experience in the subject area. Map on a consistent basis the development issues, covering the situation and strategic opportunities in the form of professional papers and reports;  
  • Provide intellectual or substantive support to the leadership in the subject area through identification of key policy issues and formulation of best possible and alternative policy options for UNDP both at national and sub-national areas;  
  • Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject area and tap into opportunities. Organize strategically important policy dialogues, workshops or seminars. Contribute as a resource person and prepare policy papers or products at the national and sub-national areas;  
  • Organize network of prominent policy based prominent national and international experts and support a series of policy dialogue workshops or roundtables. Build alliances for policy reform and development amongst the national and international development institutions.    

2.     Programme Development Services, focusing on achievement of the following results:  

 

  • Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and support the collaborative preparation/revision of PRSP, CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other planning instruments. Support the management in the operationalization of UNDAF and CPD through CPAP;  
  • Identification of strategic and innovative programme areas of cooperation. Accordingly, prepare programme strategic frameworks;  
  • Document best practices, covering concepts, strategies and implementation approaches and support the management in streaming programmes policies and practices;  
  • Prepare project proposals and project documents to effect the implementation of the CPD and CPAP; lessons learned should be incorporated.    

3.     Project Assurance and Oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:  

 

  • Support the process of preparation and implementation of the annual results based work plans and result frameworks as endorsed by the management;  
  • Prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports and organize, correspondingly, monthly and quarterly progress reviews;  
  • Ensure regular monitoring of progress, preparation of progress reports and organization of regular evaluations and reviews;  
  • Use Results Based Management (RBM) /M&E techniques, methods and their applications. Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results;  
  • Ensure organizational set-up and project management systems are fully functional and create best possible enabling environment for high level performance of Project Implementation Teams. Ensure timely recruitment and availability of high quality and specialized Project Teams;  
  • Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the  programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Accordingly, organize monthly and quarterly work planning and progress reviews;  
  • Effective monitoring, reviews and evaluation to measure the impact of the projects. CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme. Ensure that results and lessons learned feed into the analytical and project work (i.e. results used to make decisions);  
  • Ensure timely preparation of progress reports and submission to the Government and other development partners.    

4.     Knowledge Management and Services, focusing on achievement of the following results:  

 

  • Lead the process of knowledge captures of national, regional and global know-how in the subject area and production of knowledge-based products;  
  • Partner with practitioners and members of the UNDP regional and global networks, leadership of the practice and sub-practice teams in RBAP, BDP and other related Bureaux;  
  • Develop country based intelligence on country situation, opportunities, interests and prospects covering governments, UNDP and major development stakeholders.    

5.     Marketing and Advocacy, focusing on achievement of the following results:  

 

  • Support the management in creating positive and appreciative atmosphere for team-based work in UNDP and be an advocate for the work of UNDP at all areas and levels;  
  • Disseminate the information on best practices and be active member of the UNDP global and regional networks;  
  • Ensure preparation of brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination of UNDP assistance and experience;  
  • Prepare professional articles and papers;  
  • Expand outreach o the UN, national government, local authorities, private sector, non-government and international development organizations.    

6.     Strategic partnerships and resource mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results:  

 

  • Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of 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;  
  • Mobilize resources to support the achievement of program outcomes;  
  • Any other functions, responsibilities or portfolio which may be assigned by the UNDP management;  
  • The Staff Member should expected to be linked and contribute to the work of UNDP in all practice areas; and, as appropriate in UNDP, may be assigned to other practice or sub-practice portfolios. 

Competencies

Corporate 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. 

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.  

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;
  • Prince2 training and certification, RMG would be an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education & Experience:  

 

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field;  
  • 2 years of relevant programmatic experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;  
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;  
  • Female applicants with Bachelor’s degree  in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences and 4 years of  experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects will also be considered.  

Language Requirements:  

 

·          Fluency in English, Dari and/or Pashtu.  

 

Interested and qualified national Afghan 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 (18 May 2010) 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