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FIELD OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Location : UNDP/ELECT, Kabul, AFGHANISTAN
Application Deadline :04-May-11
Type of Contract :FTA International
Post Level :P-4
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
01-Jun-2011
Duration of Initial Contract :One Year

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

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. The Country Programme Action Plan was approved by the Government and UNDP in 2009. UNDP Afghanistan is organized into (1) Policy and Results Management Directorate, (2) Policy and Programmes and (3) Operations. The Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit is part of the Policy and Programmes. The Policy and Programme consists of the following units: (1) Democratic Governance Unit, (2) Local Governance and Administration unit, (3) Crisis Prevention and Recovery unit, (4) Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Livelihoods unit, and (5) Natural Resources and Environment Cluster.

Years of conflict have damaged Afghanistan’s economic, political, physical, social and institutional structures. Reconstruction demands a secure environment in which there is credible leadership and enforced rule of law. Strong, legitimate and effective public administration structures, responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens - including the poor – are a precursor to any sustainable development. To this end, UNDP supports Afghan electoral institutions so that they can become more effective vehicles for development.

The UNDP/ELECT project (2006 – present) lent technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections. This included the establishment of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) offices throughout Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.

While processes were strictly Afghan-led, Afghanistan does not yet have the capacity – particularly the financial capacity – to sustain its electoral institutions, independently. In order that progress made to date should not be “undone,” UNDP will lend financial and capacity-building support to the IEC and its provincial offices, established during the 2006 – 2010/11 project period.

Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1974 (2011). This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UNDPKO and EAD.

Specifically, and as a means to contribute to its goal (Output 3) long-term capacity development, post-ELECT programming should:

  • Build on the achievements made, to date, in establishing an efficient, Afghan-led Independent Electoral Authority;
  • Support the IEC in the transition from internationally-supported institution to self-sustaining institution; and
  • Provide technical and operational capacity-building assistance, with a view to sustain and transfer knowledge to Afghans.

S/He will report regularly to the Chief Technical Advisor and/or Project Coordinator/Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Field Operations Specialist will be part of a team of advisors supervised and guided by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and will report on delivery to the Project Coordinator. Her/his primary task will be to assess IEC capacity and needs at regional and provincial level. S/He will systematically refer to the 2011 IEC Lesson Learnt Report as source to carry out her/his assignments. S/He will be embedded with the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and will be responsible for continuously providing technical advice, help to build the technical capacity of IEC in the relevant areas of the electoral activities and will work closely with the relevant IEC staff to support the IEC by:

1. Consult with the IEC on Lessons Learnt from past elections and develop recommendations for conducting field operations

2. Conducting a formal analysis of the existing structure for management of field operations and consult with the IEC to develop proposals for reform based on best practices.

3. Manage the provision of training of IEC management and staff in best field operation practices.

4. Advising the IEC to help-formulate and implement a systematic electoral cycle management framework, including a Strategic Plan leading for future elections,

5. Providing advisory support to enable IEC to strengthen its operational capacity and institutional preparedness for conduct of future election events,

6. Developing and advising on implementation strategies to strengthening coordination systems between IEC HQ, regional and provincial offices, including:

  • Communication system and procedures,
  • Coordination and compilation of technical briefs and instructions for distribution to regional and provincial offices, while ensuring contribution from relevant parties,
  • Overall coordination and information sharing within the IEC on field operations to ensure effective operations management and planning operations in the field,
  • Development of programme and operational reporting frameworks from IEC provincial and regional units, to HQ, to ensure timely flow and documentation of on-going and completed activities, major developments and issues, as well as challenges for immediate management attention.

7. Guiding the IEC on the formulation and implementation of appropriate security policies, guidelines, and measures, in liaison with relevant Afghan Security Agencies (ANSFs) and the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF);

8. Consulting with the IEC to review, prepare, and disseminate appropriate policies, procedures, and guidelines for different components of the Strategic Plan,

9. Assisting the IEC to forecast political, institutional, technical, financial, and operational risks that may affect implementation of the Strategic Plan, and to support IEC formulate and implement appropriate mitigation measures;

  • Assessing and reviewing the assets management in accordance to Afghan Law, including on coordination of all personnel and material movements. The Field Operations Specialist will work and coordinate closely with the Logistics Specialist, and other relevant operations and logistics stakeholders.

10. Managing the liaison between the UNDP and IEC on assessing and developing regional and provincial infrastructure as approved by the IEC. The Field Operations Specialist will advise the IEC on establishing and maintaining a sustainable field presence including, communications, facilities and overall long term sustainability issues. 11. Performing any other tasks as assigned by the CTA or Project Coordinator.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Treats all people fairy without favoritism;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi – cultural, multi – ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; good leadership skills and ability to form a team effort;
  • Ability to identify and analyze client’s needs and provide appropriate solutions to meet business requirements.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge, Management and Learning:

  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning and applies newly acquired skills;
  • Ability to perform with minimal supervision and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines;
  • Ability to plan, guide tasks and undertakings in coordination with team leader.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Demonstrates planning and organizational skills and the ability to coordinate the work of others;
  • Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
  • Works to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent project/activities;
  • Ability to convey complex technical concepts and recommendations to non-technical staff at senior levels, both in oral and in written form in a clear and concise style.

Leadership and Self-Management:

  • Supervisory skills and ability to coach, monitor and develop staff;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Ability to plan and secure resources;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
  • Remains calm in stressful situation;
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts;
  • Advanced computer skills and strong knowledge of various software including Excel, Power Point and Word.
  • Previous experience in Afghanistan will be a distinct advantage.
  • Knowledge on Afghanistan’s culture, tradition and Islamic context is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualificaiton requirement:

  • Master degree or equivalent preferably in the field of Management, Political Science, International Relations, Electoral Policy, Law or other related fields.
  • Minimum 7 years of experience in field operations, project management in challenging environments, managing staff and operational systems; Well experienced in electoral operations and capacity development of electoral administration.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; Working knowledge of Pashto and/or Dari an asset.

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site 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 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.


UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.