Academic Affairs Specialist - Kabul- Afghanistan

Salary up to US$120,000.00/annum plus allowances based on relevant qualifications and work experiences.

1. Organizational Context

The Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) was established in 1975 to take charge of higher education in Afghanistan, which involves currently more than 200,000 students pursuing higher education in 26 public universities and higher education institutes, 50 private higher education institutes. It employs currently around 9,500 people and is committed to success recognizing that quality higher education is the key to national development and the personal well being of the citizens of Afghanistan. It pursues following objectives: - High-level education of professional and technical staff for Afghan governmental authorities - Developing the scientific research and creating specialists for the society and economy - Providing of higher education to the Afghan youth and professionals It has contributed in the past massively to the development of the society and economy. But due to the war, the higher education system was completely destroyed. Though the Ministry of Higher Education achieved noticeable results in the past ten years, however there is still tremendous work to master. The Civilian Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) is an Afghan government program that aims to create stronger government institutions with more effective structures, efficient processes and skilled personnel. It assists Afghan government organizations to implement capacity development and performance improvement programs by providing them with skilled international technical experts and capacity development advisors. On behalf of the Ministry of Higher EducationCTAP is now seeking to fill the position of Academic Affairs Specialistto work in the Ministry of Higher Education,under the management of the Directorate of Academic Affairs Coordination. This position is open tointernational passport holders only: Afghan expatriates and nationals of regional countries are especially encouraged to apply.

2.Position 2.1 Nature and Scope of Assignment

This assignment involves supporting a government-led capacity development program within Ministry of Higher Education’sAcademic Affairs Coordination Directorate. Under the supervision of the Director of Academic Affairs Coordination, the successful candidate will provide technical advice, management support and technical inputs required to allow his/her counterpart to achieve the target of proper implementation of planned programs. The successful applicant will be expected to work with and through his/her Afghan national counterpart, and to progressively transfer skills and responsibilities to them. This position does not involve management or line responsibilities. 2.2 Duties and Responsibilities Working withhis/her counterpart,with assistance from the CTAP Capacity Development team and other relevant staff and advisors, the Academic Affairs Specialist will do the following: • Quality improvement of higher education through the review of strengthening the existing academic standards and strengthening them by aligning them with international best standards • Development of policy documents for post graduate studies • Development of Curriculum and the process for its approval • Assist in Preparing Research proposals and processing them • Evaluation of degrees obtained from oversees • Assist in the Recruitment and promotion of faculty members • Establishment of a University, Faculty or Department • Establishment of distance learning programs and their academic credibility • Come up with proposals and practical recommendations for re-structuring of universities including reforms at a leadership level Structure and leadership of Universities • Development of criteria and identification of requirements for establishment of standard academic journals • Coach and mentor local staff at the Directorate Academic Affairs in the development of strategic documents, curriculum, recruitment processes, implementation of distance learning programs, and standard academic journals

2.3 Deliverables

The deliverables of theAcademic Affairs Specialist are: • Procedures and guidelines developed for development of research proposals and processing • Other ToR related procedures, mechanisms, criteria and guidelines developed • A system put in place for evaluation of degrees obtained from abroad • Standard academic journals established • The counterparts and other relevant staff trained in the development of strategic documents, curriculum, recruitment processes, implementation of distance learning programs, and standard academic journals • Work plan of the Directorate developed or revised • Relevant workshops and training programs held

2.4 Skills, Experience and Qualifications Required

The successful candidate should have the following skills, experience and qualifications: • PhD in relevant field • At least ten-year of working experience in academic affairs • Computer skills including Office programs and internet • Previous experience in under-developed, insecure or post-conflict environments a plus • Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto a plus

Afghan expatriates and nationals of countries in Afghanistan’s region are especially preferred for this position.

How to apply:

Application should be completed online via www.ctapafghanistan.org Only short listed candidates whose background and experiences corresponds to the above criteria will be contacted for further consideration. CTAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.