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PROGRAMME OFFICER, STATE BUILDING & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT UNIT
Location :	Kabul (with possibility of travel to regions), AFGHANISTAN
Application Deadline :	02-May-07
Type of Contract :	ALD International
Post Level :	ALD-3
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start)	31-May-2007
Duration of Initial Contract :	One Year (with a possibility of extension)
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Background
UNDP is supporting the efforts of the Afghan Government in the complex process of re-establishing its national institutions following many years of destruction caused by civil war and factionalism. While the state structures require re-establishment and physical infrastructure are rehabilitated, the democratic state capacity building agenda need to be actively supported. UNDP in close collaboration with the Afghan Government has identified principal areas of cooperation through its diversified programme activities. In addition to the support provided to the national security sectors, UNDP programme activities will focus on (a) State Building and Support to the Government;(b) Democratization and & Civil Society Empowerment; and (c) Promotion of Long-term & Sustainable Livelihoods. The UNDP’s State-Building & Government Support (SBGS) Programme focuses on three main critical areas: Strengthening cross-cutting and core capacities of the state Trust Fund Management Strengthening sub-national governance institutions. In order to strengthen the cross-cutting and core capacities of the State, the programmes focus on strengthening the capacities of civil servants in priority government institutions in the areas of management, leadership and other development opportunities. This includes support to capacity building of Centre of Government as well as the support of effective national-led aid coordination for aid effectiveness, public financial management capacities and the development of information management. The Trust Fund arrangement enables the government to mobilise financial resources and helps the national development budget to better manage the pooled resources from multiple donors through developing a more predictable core budget funding modalities in which the Afghan Government participates, such as the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) and the Counter-Narcotics Trust Fund (CNTF).  UNDP supports the management of these trust funds. LOTFA supports the strengthening of the police force through timely provision of remuneration and infrastructural and institutional development. The CNTF aims at building government capacity to implement its National Drug Control Strategy. At the sub-national level, support focuses on capacity development of the Government in formulating and implementing a sub-national governance policy and legal and regulatory framework; development of institutional and administrative capacities in provincial and district administrations to manage basic service delivery and strengthening the capacity of provincial councils to act as the representative link between the state and local communities.  The support at the sub national level will include piloting in provincial budgeting.
Duties and Responsibilities
Programme/Project Development and Policy Advice Provide policy, programme, technical guidance and support to the ACD and the UNDP CO to strengthen UNDP’s role in the area of Public Administration Reform, Public Finance Management, Aid Effectiveness and Information Management. Advise senior management and ACD on new project initiatives in the relevant areas and initiate project formulation and develop new project/programme documents in line with national and sectoral strategies/priorities as well as UNDP policies and procedures; present and consult on proposals with government agencies and donors; Organize and facilitate missions in the relevant field; oversee the preparation of ToRs for missions and participate in briefing and debriefing of consultants; follow up and contribute to the implementation of the recommendations made by the UNDP programming missions. Manage the project approval process; present the proposal with donors and UNDP network for final review and approval; ensure approved projects are result-based: Establish and maintain information on development in the work areas of the SBGS unit and provide policy advice and updates on related issues to the management; Programme Coordination, Management and Support to SBGS Implementation Perform project assurance role for selected existing projects under SBGS unit, in close coordination with the project teams, through; Plan, direct and oversee the management of the activities undertaken by the projects in a result-based management manner Ensure that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion within the allocated budget; Coordinate diverse projects within the UNDP Country Office and with other agencies within and eternal to the UN system Effectively close projects following completion of activities including evaluation, audit and lessons learnt/ best practice; Pay monitoring visits of project sites with NPOs and project teams, ensure that projects are in compliance with UNDP policies and procedures Assist programme staff for regular project steering committee meetings and other management related meetings with counterparts to discuss the evaluation of the project and undertake joint decisions and activities. Support to Strategic Partnership Development, Donor Relations and Resource Mobilisation Help build/strengthen liaison and strategic partnership with relevant Government ministries, donor agencies and other relevant partners such as NGOs and CSOs related to the programme/projects areas; Lead and support programme networking and partnership development with the aim to enhance coordination and cooperation among parties concerned; Support UNDP’s fund-raising efforts at the country and regional levels for mobilisation of donor interest and support to UNDP’s programme activities in the country, under the overall guidance of the Assistant Country Director; Review the Annual and Quarterly Progress Reports and Plans and provide timely and result-based donor reporting where necessary Help foster programme linkages and cooperation among all on-going UNDP projects (both country and regional), as well as between the projects of UNDP and those of the UN agencies and other donor agencies; Under the overall supervision of the Sr. Deputy Country Director and Assistant CD, represent UNDP where necessary; Provide support to the Afghanistan UNDAF exercise and implementation Capacity Building and mentoring of the SBGS Unit Staff Assess staff training needs and arrange appropriate learning plan for staff development; Enhance the capacity of programme staff in project cycle management through on-the-job training and mentoring;
Competencies
Strong commitment to the promotion of equal rights of men and women, and proven capacity to design and monitor programmes of assistance accordingly; Familiarity with UNDP Development agenda; Ability to promote the vision, mission, values and strategic goals of UNDP; Readiness to accept additional responsibilities as required by the demands of services.
Required Skills and Experience
Post-graduate academic background or equivalent in either Public administration, economics, development studies or other related fields; At least five years of professional experience in programme and project management, preferably with UN and other international organisations; Knowledge and experience on democratic governance issues, public administrative reform. A high-level of analytical and information management skills; Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to take initiatives with sound judgement; Proven ability working in a team particularly in a multi-cultural, multi-national and multi-stakeholder setting; The ability to use Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource; Fluency in written and spoken English;