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Capacity Building Specialist (NIBP) VA-2013/03/133

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 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. 
Organizational Context:

Building robust government institutions for effective governance and a professional and responsive civil service with the overall aim of improving service delivery to Afghan people is one of the top priorities of the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRA). In the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), Capacity Development (CD) has been identified as a cross cutting issue and the improvement of public sector capacity in particular as the key challenge to development in Afghanistan. It has been recognized that unless adequate capacities are built, technical and financial support will remain underutilized to the detriment of the development process.
In Afghanistan, problems of capacity exist at all levels where capacity is needed and assessed. At the overarching systemic level of the enabling environment, the legal and policy framework needs to be put in place to guide and lead the implementation of measures for the development of effective organizations and improved performance. At the organizational level, some of the major problems include an incoherent government structure with overlapping functions across government ministries; outdated work processes, procedures and systems; patronage and nepotism in appointments; gender imbalances; and the absence of well-defined mechanisms for carrying out common functions of government, namely policy and strategy formulation, project management, financial management, procurement and human resource management. At the individual level, lack of human capacity in terms of availability, knowledge and competence, is a serious issue in government ministries/agencies responsible for service delivery at national and sub-national levels. There has been a basic lack of core competencies and specialist skills to develop policies implement projects and deliver services.
The National Institution Building Project (NIBP) brings the experiences of two UNDP projects, namely, Capacity for Afghan Public Services (CAP) Project and Civil Service Leadership Development (CSLD) Project, under a single project framework to provide a coordinated, up-scaled and comprehensive package of Capacity Development (CD) support required by the government at the national and sub-national levels. The NIBP will focus on: (a) Building the organizational capacity of leading Government ministries or agencies at the national level and local authorities at the sub-national level; and (b) Strengthening the capacity of the Afghanistan Civil Service Institute (ACSI) and its centers at the national and sub-national level as well as the newly established General Directorate of Projects Design and Management (GDPDM) of the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC) to efficiently manage the programmes and projects of IARCSC.
The General Directorate of Programs’ Design and Management (GDPDM) of the IARCSC is the Implementing Agency for the Project. The GDPDM is responsible and accountable for managing the project, including the monitoring and evaluation of project interventions, achieving project outputs, and for effective use of Project resources.
The National Institution Building Project (NIBP), to be implemented over a period of four years (2010-2013), follows an integrated approach to CD. The primary objectives of the project would be to enhance capacity within the ministries at all three levels, namely institutional, organizational and individual which would ultimately result into improved service delivery through an efficient, organized and trained civil service. The visible impact would be better budget utilization, rationalized organization structures and well trained civil servants.
A Capacity Development Specialist (CDS) will work as the technical specialist and will lead, coordinate and manage the capacity development activities of NIBP for the assignment component of the project.
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 overall supervision and guidance of the NIBP Project Manager, and in close collaboration with other international and national staff of the project, the NIBP Capacity Development Specialist is responsible for coordinating and managing the capacity development activities of the project.
Summary of Key Functions:
  • Organization and Management of CD activities
  • Delivery of Project Results
  • Institutional Capacity Development
  • Stakeholders’ Consultation, Coordination and Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Advocacy, Networking and Marketing
Organization and Management of CD activities:
  • Manage the day-to-day functioning of the Capacity Development Team for provision of services of Capacity Development Advisors (CDAs) in select government entities to provide coaching and advisory services for institutional strengthening, organizational reforms and skill development.
  • Manage the day-to-day functioning of the Project Team for provision of services for strengthening of Public Administration Reform (PAR) management and coordination capacity of IARCSC including implementation of sub-national PAR.
  • Manage the human resources for achieving results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the project document and annual work plan for the assigned component.
  • Support preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports for the assigned component and correspondingly organization of monthly, quarterly and annual progress reviews.
  • Facilitate provision of advisory services for specialized capacity development under twinning arrangements with ministries / agencies of other regional governments for institutional and organizational CD of ministries / agencies of GIRA
Delivery of Project Results:
  • Lead the project team in preparing component or output-based concept or strategy papers and implementation manuals or guidelines.
  • Prepare results framework for the project for each output of the assigned component including establishment of performance and impact assessment indicators, and support implementation of work plans for delivery of results.
  • Manage delivery of results by using up-to-date best practices and know-how in the subject area and accordingly plan delivery of resources at 25-20% for first, 50-70 % for second, 75-90% for third and 100% for final quarters of the performance year.
  • Review professional performance and document implementation processes and results through project-based professional reports.
Institutional Capacity Development:
  • Ensure development and implementation of policies and strategies for institutional strengthening and organizational reforms in select government entities at both central and sub-national levels.
  • Support capacity assessments and preparation of capacity development plans, taking into consideration the need of the government entities and other development partners.
  • Support establishment of policies and working mechanisms for implementing required training programmes for civil service in line with the ANDS monitoring framework and PAR strategies.
  • Promote the comprehensive capacity development approach envisaged in NIBP and, in consultation with the Government and UNDP, implement transfer of know-how through a series of training and learning events.
  • Facilitate CD of select permanent civil servants in common function areas through coaching and mentorring to improve service delivery at both national and sub national levels.
  • Facilitate strengthening of Institutional and Organizational capacity of select government entities by policy and strategy development and systems improvement through coaching and advisory services to improve service delivery and to support Public Administration Reform (PAR) objectives.
  • Facilitate strengthening of institutional capacity of GDPDM (General Directorate of Programs’ Design and Management) of IARCSC.
  • Supervise the project’s capacity development efforts aimed at government counterparts, local authorities and development organizations.
  • Ensure adequate technical support to state entities for mainstreaming gender in key policy and strategic documents and development processes.
  • Facilitate preparation of a policy portfolio and programmatic portfolio for select government entities.
  • Undertake documentation of the experience of capacity development initiatives and preparation of policies and strategies.
Stakeholders’ Consultation, Coordination and Monitoring & Evaluation:
  • Provide intellectual or substantive leadership in the subject area through identification of key policy issues and formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme options at national and sub-national levels.
  • Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject area, taking into account the needs of Government, local authorities, non-government and development partners and map on a consistent basis the capacity development issues, covering the situation and strategic opportunities.
  • Support the process of demand assessment for Coaching and Advisory services of the project within the partner institutions of GIRA at both national and sub-national levels.
  • Undertake promotion of outreach activities for project services.
  • Coordinate the activities of CDAs in ministries / agencies of the Government.
  • Ensure timely production of work plans by CDAs, regular submission of progress reports by the CDAs and that outputs are produced according to set work plan.
  • Ensure that a performance appraisal system for the CDAs is in place. Establish performance management system, based on UNDP’s results and competency assessment system, to monitor staff performance.
  • Monitor, evaluate and supervise the day-to-day implementation of the project within the partner institutions of GIRA and ensure that CD activities of the project are in line with the Project Document and Annual Work Plans for the project.
  • Ensure monitoring of CD activities of the project, so as to keep track of its inputs and impact.
  • Identify opportunities to enhance team-work within the project and with other UNDP assisted projects to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support.
Advocacy, Networking and Marketing:
  • Create or establish a positive and appreciative atmosphere for team-based work in the project and be an advocate for the work of UNDP in the practice area.
  • Disseminate the information on best practices and be active member of the UNDP global and regional networks.
  • Expand outreach of the UNDP to national government, local authorities, non-government and international development 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

Functional Competencies:
 
Knowledge Management and Learning:
  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
  • Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
  • Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
  • Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations

Management and Leadership: 
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
  • 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
  • UNDP Certification programme Prince2

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Experience:
  • Master degree in international development or public administration or management or other relevant social sciences or equivalent.

Experience:
  • 7 years of relevant work experience in development in a governmental or multilateral organization.
  • Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting as well as in post conflict reconstruction situation. Experience of Afghanistan is desirable.
  • Proven experience in partnership building and networking.
  • Experience of providing advisory services in the area of capacity development
  • Experience of governance and public sector management in general and public sector capacity development in particular, at both national and sub-national level in developing countries.
  • Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) 

Language:
  • Strong written and spoken skill of English language.  
Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site athttp://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm   and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available athttp://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm    in the relevant field of the on-line application
Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (14 March 2013) 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 6 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
FC: 00012
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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.

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