International Individual Consultant: Advisor to H. E. Minster office for NSP & Programmes related issues

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:

Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation & Development (MRRD): National Solidarity Program (NSP)

Request for Expressions of Interest (REoI) For

International Individual Consultant: Advisor to H. E. Minster office for NSP & Programmes related issues.

(Reference # MRRD/NSP III/CN/397)

Country: Afghanistan

Ministry: Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation & Development (MRRD)

Type: Individual (International) Consultant, hereafter referred to as ‘Programme Support Advisor’

Project ID: P117103

Grant #: TF 098459-AF or any other NSP grant as may be available

Issue Date: February 28, 2011

Closing Date: March 20, 2011

I.0 The MRRD Mandate Role in Rural Development

MRRD’s ultimate goal is to reduce poverty in rural areas and to pave the way for other actors to complement its endeavors. For MRRD, poverty alleviation can only be pursued by tackling all complex causes of poverty, in a holistic manner. The essence of rural development thus lies in partnerships, which will continue to be nurtured, cultivating a virtuous circle of development. In the complex landscape of rural Afghanistan, MRRD builds on its comparative advantage to address some of the causes of poverty.

Over the years, MRRD has demonstrated its capacity to directly address many of the rural communities’ needs through its national programmes, namely the Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Programme (AREDP), the National Area Based Development Programme (NABDP), the National Rural Access Programme (NRAP), the National Solidarity Program (NSP) and the Rural Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Programme (RuWatSIP). MRRD has displayed fairness by granting equitable development to all; through the organization of local level elections-it has provided Afghans with an opportunity to decide for their future; through training- it has built enormous social capital, transforming men and women in thousands of villages into responsible actors for their own development. Rural people, who constitute the heart of MRRD’s mission, have gained better access to markets and jobs, to education and health facilities and to energy.

Based upon these successes, MRRD has become an intrinsic element of the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Cluster and the Governance Cluster (GOC). This has resulted in most of the MRRD programmes becoming “bankable” programmes, either in their entirety or as elements of other “bankable” programmes.

I.I The World Bank Relationship with MRRD

The World Bank’s current engagement with the country is determined by the Interim Strategy Note (ISN) for Afghanistan. The ISN is aligned with the government’s Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). World Bank support emphasises national programmes that have resulted in improving lives of millions of Afghans across the country, including in areas of health, education, rural development and public finance management. The Interim Strategy Note (ISN) for Afghanistan covers the period 2009 - 2011 and envisages a grant programme of around $600 million.

The World Bank made a five-year pledge of $1.1 billion (approximately $220 million per year) at the June 2008 Paris Conference provided that the country performs better than average compared to other post conflict countries, and IDA 16 donors are generous again when replenishing in 2011.

Within the MRRD, the WB supports the National Solidarity Program (NSP), which is providing jobs and improving infrastructure throughout the country. The World Bank is the largest international source of funds for NSP which finances small projects based on the priorities of the rural population. The programme has financed over 50,000 community projects in more than 22,000 villages in all 34 provinces. About 80 percent of the projects involve infrastructure such as irrigation, rural roads, electrification, and drinking water supply, all critical for the recovery of the rural economy. Over half the projects have been completed; with the NSP about to commence its third phase.

In addition, The World Bank also supports (i) The National Emergency Rural Access Project (NERAP), which is working to provide year-round access to the rural areas of Afghanistan. Since launching of this project in 2007, over 1037 kms of secondary and tertiary roads and around 8,200 meters of cross drainage structures have been completed. The project has generated around 2 million unskilled labor days of employment throughout the country; and (ii) The Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Program which aims to target the lack of access to finance and business know-how, poor infrastructure, inadequate marketing, and poor post harvest practices which are limiting economic development and constraining on-farm and non-farm employment opportunities, thus perpetuating poverty in rural areas by supporting Community-led Enterprise Development and Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

II.0 Introduction to the Advisor for the Minister`s office

The Programme Support Advisor will support MRRD’s holistic approach to rural development through active participation in policy and programme management meetings as deemed necessary and ensure clearly defined lines of communication and dissemination links between other MRRD programmes and the WB. This will ensure an effective and coherent approach in aligning the MRRD strategic intent and implementation models across all MRRD programmes in response to donor priorities and decision-making. The incumbent will be a key Advisor to the OoM and be the focal point for MRRD with the WB.

Assist in the development and dissemination of rural development strategies and guidelines around current strategic priorities, including sectors that are important to MRRD and the WB. Align broader political/social/economic themes of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), Agriculture and Rural Development Sector Strategy (ARDS), MRRD’s Strategic Intent with overall WB objectives. In addition, the Programme Support Advisor will also contribute to the development, implementation and planning of activities pertaining to sub-national governance, regional cooperation, and other areas as appropriate.

III.0 Specific Roles/ Responsibilities Expected of the Consultant Position:

Based in Kabul, the Policy Support Advisor will report to the OoM and be under the supervision of the H.E. the Minister or his immediate designate, serving as a link between MRRD and WB development/reconstruction programmes and policy concerns. The incumbant will:

• Support the development of the policy unit, recently established in MRRD, through the development of an annual plan and tools for policy development;
• Build the capacity, guide and provide support to the policy unit (direct counterpart) to undertake policy research, development and advocacy;
• Support the development of a conceptual framework that depicts a holistic approach to rural development and respective strategies incorporating the goals and objectives of the flag ship programmes of the Government of Afghanistan;
• Assist in the research, development and dissemination of rural development policy documents, strategies and guidelines around current strategic priorities, including;

o Policy development around the sectors that are important to MRRD, and;

o Policy development around broader political/social/ economic themes of ANDS, ARDSS and MRRD’s strategic themes;

• Assist in the articulation of rural development policy to donors and other partners;
• Assist in the planning and establishment of policy making capacity in MRRD, across departments;
• Support the implementation of MRRD’s Strategic Intent and assist in reviewing and updating the document as needed;
• Support the Afghanistan Rural Development Institute in defining research priorities, based on the policy unit’s needs;
• In partnership with the monitoring department, develop monitoring framework and monitor policy implementation

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

IV. Time Schedule

The assignment is expected to start in end of April 2011 and is for a period of six (6) continuous months, with possibility of extension on mutual agreement by both parties and at the same contractual terms.

V. Qualification Requirements

V.A Academic Qualifications

Post graduate degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Programme Management, Business Administration or a closely related field.

Regional experience will be an advantage.

Excellent English communication skills.

Excellent knowledge of computers and database and word processing programmes.

V.B Work Experience

· A minimum of 7 years working experience is required.

· Ability to work well in a team environment and to act both responsively and proactively to ensure effective implementation of MRRD policies and programmes.

· Extensive experience in cooperation and capacity development with government counterparts.

· Excellent interpersonal, analytical and report writing skills are essential

· Fluency in English, knowledge of Dari and Pashto would be an asset.

· The use of the Microsoft Office applications is essential.

V.C Other Requirements

A good understanding and proven application of all technical aspects of planning and programme management and other related tools and mechanisms;

Strong knowledge of development issues, operational as well as theoretical and political.

Proven ability to develop research methodologies, data collection tools with the aim of engendering best practices;

Competency in conceptualising, designing, implementing focused strategies and evaluating outcomes.

Demonstrated capacity in planning and implementing community participation training, including development of materials and using participatory methods.

Strong communication skills, ability to handle details and present a persuasive case.

Ability to work harmoniously with persons of different nationalities and cultural background issues

Initiative and proven ability to work with little supervision.

A proven ability to works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Display leadership skills and establish and maintain relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support.

Effectively work with people from other cultures and background.

VI. Duty Station and Reporting Requirements:

VI.A Duty Station: The duty station shall be the Minister office located within the MRRD Compound in Darul Aman, Kabul, Afghanistan.

VI.B Reporting Requirements: The consultant reports to the H. E. Minister MRRD on all work related issues.

VII. Submission of Expression of Interest:

The NSP/MRRD now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested eligible candidates must provide both a cover letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV) as their Expression of Interest (EoI). The EoI should include clear information on the applicant’s key qualifications, employment history (including description of similar assignments, experience in similar programmes/conditions, previous remunerations etc), availability of appropriate skills, at least 2 professional work references (preferably from current or immediate previous employer), any specific conditions required by the applicant for the potential services, and statement on any disabilities or other factors that may hinder or affect the performing of the services.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with ‘Section V: Selection of Individual Consultants’ procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: ‘Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, version May 2004’.

Interested consultants may obtain further information

a) in person at the address below (from 09:00 to 15:00 hours from Saturday to Wednesday) or

b) from the website indicated below or

c) by email to the contact person indicated below.

Expressions of interest (EoI) must be delivered by E-Mail to the IDs shown below no later than 12:00 Hours on March 20, 2011. The subject line should refer to the position being applied both by title and by the reference number stated in this document.

Focal Person for Enquires:

Mr. Mohammad Tariq Ismati, National Solidarity Program (NSP),

Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Afghanistan

Tashkilat Street, Darul Aman Road, Kabul, Afghanistan

Website: www.nspafghanistan.org ; Email: tariq.ismati@nspafghanistan.org

All EoIs to be sent in soft addressed to:

Ms. Jovitta Thomas (Email: j.thomas@nspafghanistan.org) and copied to Mr. Nabiullah Azimi (Email: n.azimi@nspafghanistan.org ) and Ms.Jaisy Anto (Email: j.anto@nspafghanistan.org)

Note: No telephone inquires will be entertained. No submission of EoIs in hard copy is required.