Technical Specialist (Governance, ASGP)

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement: UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to a positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground. ASGP Project: Developing sound and functional sub-national governance systems is a vital item on the Afghanistan development agenda. Strengthening institutional capacities and arrangements for sub-national governance and development were priorities approved in the London and Kabul Conferences in 2010. It is increasingly recognized that capacity of sub-national governance and development institutions is key to peace, stability and development of the Afghan people. UNDP is implementing the Afghanistan Sub-national Governance Programme (ASGP) developing institutional structures and capacities required for effective service delivery at the sub-national level. ASGP works at the national level with the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG), and with key government institutions at the sub-national level, namely the Provincial & District Governor’s Office (PGOs & DGOs), Provincial & District Councils (PCs & DCs) and municipalities. The key objective of the ASGP is to strengthen the democratic state and government institutions enabling these to better govern and ensure quality public services delivery at the sub-national level through advocacy, policy advice and capacity development. In the phase I, ASGP had initiated the sub-national governance reform process at national (IDLG), provincial, district and municipal levels. The objective of Phase II is to roll out these reforms comprehensively across the country. Based on the experience during the Inception Phase of ASGP-II, the implementation strategy of ASGP now consists of support at the national, provincial and municipal levels. At the provincial level, ASGP aims to implement a sector-wide, provincial approach through the establishment of partnerships with each provincial governor to provide them with additional resources, staffing and equipment for enhanced good governance. Additionally, the Provincial Councils (PCs) are important sub-national institutions at the provincial level, having an important role in strengthening the sub-national governance in Afghanistan inter alia through oversight of public services delivery. The PCs are currently the only representative bodies at the sub-national level, established by means of constitutionally mandated elections. ASGP works closely with the PCs in developing their institutional and organizational capacities. For the advancement of these aims, UNDP is working towards capacity development and implementation partnerships with the Provincial Governor Offices, Provincial Councils, District Government and Municipalities. A Letter of Agreement (LoA) has been signed between UNDP and the Provincial Governor Offices (PGO) across the 34 provinces to empower the provincial institutions in taking the lead for implementation of ASGP activities in the provinces and realize their mutual agreed upon objectives. The provincial LoA articulates a framework for implementation of ASGP activities by the benefitting provincial institutions themselves, namely the PGO, the District Governor Offices (DGOs), the Provincial Council (PC) of the province. The LoA is an enabling mechanism for transferring and making available funds to these institutions to carry out ASGP agreed upon activities in the provinces of Afghanistan. Objective of the Assignment: The Technical Specialist (Governance, ASGP) under these Terms of Reference shall be responsible for supervising the implementation of ASGP and achieving its outputs under the provincial approach for an assigned number of provinces. Scope of the Assignment: The Provincial Governance Advisor, ASGP will work under the overall guidance of the ASGP Chief Technical Advisor / Programme Manager. Note: UNDP Afghanistan 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 Afghanistan at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the ASGP CTA, the Technical Specialist provides strategic advice and technical assistance to the provincial and subnational administrative and representative bodies in formulating and implementing subnational government development programmes and capacity building initiatives at the local level. The Technical Specialist manages a team of ASGP experts, international and national consultants and project staff assigned in the region and provinces. Summary of key functions: Provide advice to sub-national government counterparts and facilitate knowledge management and learning on local development planning, implementation, and performance measurement; Provide guidance and technical assistance to sub national government counterparts in undertaking their basic functions and responsibilities to achieve a more cost-effective delivery of services to the people; Build strategic partnerships to implement provincial and regional resource mobilization strategies; Advocate and promote UNDP’s mandate and mission; Provide oversight in the management of other ASGP staff assigned in the region and provinces. Provide advice and support to sub-national government counterparts and facilitate knowledge management and learning on local development programming, implementation, and performance measurement focusing on achievement of the following results: Advise provincial and sub national administration officials on strategic development planning and implementation; Promote a strong knowledge management culture within ASGP, and among sub national and central government partners, and other development partners; Advise on lessons learned from ASGP activities; record, share and disseminate effectively through various forums and media; Document provincial and other sub national government development initiatives, focusing on best practices, lessons learned and knowledge needed to build a management knowledge base within the provinces and region. Provide guidance and technical assistance to-sub national government counterparts in undertaking their basic functions and responsibilities to achieve a more cost-effective delivery of services to the people focusing on achievement of the following results: Work with Provincial Governors, District Governors, Mayors and Directors of all executive related agencies on local development and improved service delivery, including efforts related to planning, budgeting and implementation of annual and multi-year provincial and sub national development plans; Provide periodic advice in coordinating various development and reform efforts introduced by the central government for sub national governance entities; Provide advice in formulating a process to better identify, prioritize and coordinate the implementation of a public investments program, including government and donor-assisted initiatives; Assist in developing and fostering enhanced levels of partnership and cooperation between and among the Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Councils, directorates, donor agencies, international military organizations and civil society organizations in addressing critical socio-economic development and service delivery requirements; Provide advice and technical assistance to the governors’ offices on integrated implementation strategies and performance evaluation methods to ensure successful implementation of provincial development plans and provincial strategic plans; Support the formulation of a user-friendly development information system for monitoring provincial program implementation and delivery of basic services; Coordinate the preparation of provincial development plans and budgets, consistent with the overall provincial development policies and with the ANDS and other government reform initiatives and policies; Guide the preparation of service delivery models that match the realities of sub-national programme implementation in Afghanistan, which will at the same time build the capacity of governors’ offices to provide oversight and supervision of the activities of line agencies within their territorial jurisdictions. Actively participate in the building of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results: Assist in developing and fostering an enhanced level of partnership and cooperation between and among the Provincial Governors’ offices, Provincial Councils, directorates, donor agencies, and civil society organizations to address critical socioeconomic development requirements and service delivery; Support the development of partnerships with UN Agencies, government agencies, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private actors , international military organizations, and civil society organizations based on the strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and provincial priorities; Responsible for local studies and analysis of information on possible areas of regional ans inter-provincial cooperation; Oversee the production of periodic updates and briefs on the local development situation for use by stakeholders; Oversee the development of selected studies/research on emerging local development concerns that feed into government/development partners processes; Identify and assess the requirements for additional technical assistance services in the province; Closely collaborate with other technical assistance teams undertaking development and service delivery initiatives within the assigned province or region. Participate in advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP’s mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results: Provide support on policy advocacy for the Millennium Development Goals, Human Development and pro-poor and equitable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and training; Responsible for supporting the production of advocacy papers by provincial staff for presentation at regional workshops and conferences; Participate in monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; Responsible for the management of publications on local development issues, advocacy of the reports’ findings among relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, and donors. Supervise and provide guidance to a team of ASGP experts, international and national consultants and project staff assigned in the region and provinces focusing on the achievement of the following results: Guide staff in the preparation of detailed individual and provincial work plans, including expected outputs with agreed upon performance indicators; Assist the ASGP CTA in identification of technical assistance needs and in the preparation of terms of reference for additional national and international consultants; Maintain close relations with government counterparts and with other ASGP development partners operating in the area, such as other UN Agencies, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, international military organizations and civil society organizations.

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; Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment. Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continued personal learning and development; Ability to provide top quality policy advice on sub national governance issues; In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues. Development and Operational Effectiveness Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting; Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of projects; Ability to work with minimal supervision; Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development projects. Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovative solutions; 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; Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure; Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree in a field relevant to Urban or Regional Development, Economics, or Public Administration. Experience: Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in development in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting, preferably in the context of sub-national governance and reform, decentralization or local autonomy; Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of local development projects is desirable; Professional experience in preparation of presentations and other communication or training tools. Language Requirements: Strong written and spoken skills in English; Written and spoken skills in Dari or Pashto will be an advantage; Ability to read and write in Arabic/Persian script will be an advantage. 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 05 March 2012 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 Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 3 weeks of the offer of appointment Internal candidates who have served a minimum of 12 months in the current assignment are invited to apply. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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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.

Technical Specialist (Governance, ASGP)