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DFID Afghanistan - Economics Adviser

Reference: DFIDJOB-0134

Closing date: 17 November 2011

Interview date: Not Specified

Number of vacancies: 1

Salary: US $3,227 - US $ per month (before tax)

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Appointment Terms: Permanent

Working Arrangements: Full time

Specific requirements: Staff Appointed in Country (SAIC)

Brief description: DFID Afghanistan is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Economics Adviser to work within the Growth & Livelihoods Team (GLT) in our office in Kabul.

The British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), one of Afghanistan’s major donors, invites applications for the post of Economic Adviser in its Kabul office.

DFID Afghanistan is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Economics Adviser to work within the Growth & Livelihoods Team (GLT) in our office in Kabul. This is a full time permanent post and ideal for those with experience of undertaking macro- and micro-economic analysis, and of providing timely and expert economic policy advice, to project-based teams in a busy office environment. Candidates should enjoy being part of a highly motivated team which has established a reputation for attention to outcomes, flexibility and willingness to cooperate with others to meet shared objectives. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a major donor development programme in Afghanistan, where DFID is the second largest bilateral donor. Afghanistan is one of the UK’s top development priorities.

The Growth & Livelihoods Team works on financial, economics, livelihoods, humanitarian, infrastructure, and private sector development issues. You will play a key role in providing economic and financial analysis and advice to the wider British Embassy team to inform their thinking, and the development of the current and new projects they manage. You will be expected to become the lead adviser on two or three economic development issues or programmes, and to provide cross-cutting economic analysis and advice to the DFID office. You will ensure that economic appraisals are of a high calibre and when needed personally undertake economic appraisals for project teams. You will have some knowledge of international economics, and some understanding of econometrics and the use of data. You will also keep an active brief on how to ensure value for money and cost-benefit tools are used by DFID staff members, and other stakeholders participating in DFID-funded programmes. You will have a keen awareness of the economic factors that can contribute to building peace and a growing economy, that contributes to increasing jobs and incomes, in Afghanistan. You will work closely with the DFID Afghanistan (DFIDA) existing economics advisers to develop your advisory skills, and you will be a member of the global DFID economics cadre.

You will need to have a high level of ability in English, as you will be required to communicate effectively (in spoken and written English) with senior UK and other international colleagues. You will also need a good level of skill in Information Technology (knowledge and skills in using MS Word; MS PowerPoint; MS Outlook email and ideally Microsoft Excel.).

You will play a role on engagement with key DFID stakeholders in the UK (particularly with respect to policy development, research and evidence and research) as well as contacts in the British Embassy. You will be required to support DFID representation at external project/programme meetings
You will be working in a high pressure but supportive environment, with short turnaround times for pieces of work. You will have to quickly develop an awareness of DFID programme/project management procedures and work proactively and independently to provide high-quality advice and stakeholder management to ensure that projects are designed and implemented effectively.

Job Description/duties

The successful candidate will perform the following duties:

  • Undertake macro- and micro-economic analysis to inform project design and policy influencing within GLT
  • Provide timely economic appraisals of projects, which include a clear analysis of the economic distribution of benefits and costs derived from projects, particularly as they relate to poverty reduction, growth in jobs and incomes, and improving the enabling environment for private sector development. Provide economic analysis of livelihoods and infrastructure programmes
  • Act as lead adviser on the design and delivery of several GLT/DFIDA projects including on civil society engagement
  • Play a crucial role in planning, participating and feeding in economic development findings into Annual Reviews, Mid-term Evaluations and End of Project Reviews to ensure the achievement of Value for Money in the team’s programmes
  • Undertake policy and work to gather or generate evidence to assist lesson-learning and the delivery of greater results, both within DFID-Afghanistan and DFID’s global network
  • Build and sustain effective relationships with other economics colleagues in Afghan and donor networks in Afghanistan.
  • Provide technical advice and appropriate contacts to all GLT advisers and programme officers to ensure projects are delivered to a high standard with good results
  • Contribute to drafting clear and concise project documentation, policy influencing, correspondence and other written work.

Personal Qualities and Skills Required (Person Specification)

The successful candidate will be expected to excel in the following core competencies:

  • Analysis and Use of Information
  • Planning and Delivery of Work
  • Working with Others
  • Decision Making
  • Communicating with Others

The successful candidate will:

  • Have relevant employment experience in providing economic development advice and leadership in a donor agency, multilateral organisation, International NGO or Embassy, or other relevant organisation;
  • Have a strong technical knowledge of key economic issues, particularly of growth and poverty reduction, national accounts, public financial management, and micro-economic issues with regard to choices on economic development options.
  • Have completed Secondary education and a relevant degree (including significant economics content);
  • Have excellent spoken and written English and Dari or Pashto language skills;
  • Have good interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work well in a multi-cultural team;
  • Have strong IT skills and be familiar with Word, Excel, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook;
  • Demonstrate they will respect DFID working principles including understanding and adherence to Equal Opportunities and being able to work productively and respectfully with others (whatever their gender; race; culture; religion or personal orientation); and
  • Have an interest in, and commitment to, assisting DFID with the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan.

Salary & Benefits:

According to DFID local staff pay scales, a competitive salary and benefits package will be offered including a starting salary of US $3,227 per month (before tax), non-negotiable, US $100 monthly transport allowance and reimbursement of 85% of medical costs for you, your spouse and children. DFID is committed to staff development. The successful candidate will receive both on the job and formal training and have the opportunity to apply for funding for higher/further education upon satisfactory completion of a six month probation period.

How to apply:

If you meet the above standards, you should apply by submitting the following three application documents to the email address r-kabul@dfid.gov.uk:

  • Completed application form
  • CV
  • Covering letter (which must set out how you meet the requirements above including evidence of work under each of the five core competencies and the relevant technical competencies)

You can access the Application Form, DFID Core Competence Framework and Economic Adviser Technical Competencies from www.dfid.gov.uk in the recruitment section:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Working-for-DFID1/Jobs/

Only applications with all three duly completed documents listed above and submitted in electronic copy will be considered. All application forms should state “Economic Adviser” in the subject box.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 16:30 on 17 November 2011. Interviews and an assessment centre (written test and interview) will take place in early December 2011. Only candidates invited for interview will receive a response to their application.

The successful candidate will be required to complete medical, security, reference and educational qualifications checks before starting in the job.

The successful applicant will need to hold Afghan citizenship or have a valid work permit for Afghanistan.

DFID is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are welcomed from all parts of the community and we actively encourage interest from ethnic minority groups, women and those with a disability. Selection is on merit although you will need to hold Afghanistan citizenship or have the legal right to live and work in Afghanistan.