Background:
The Support to Strategic Planning for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (SSPSRL) Project aims to strengthen the capacity of Afghan Government institutions concerned with agriculture and rural development, namely the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), to formulate effective policies and strategies thereby rendering programmes deliverable in a more useful way to the intended beneficiaries. Phase II of the SSPSRL Project has been running for two years and is due to end in September 2010.
The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) is responsible for a portfolio of national development programmes which provide service delivery through rural infrastructure (including tertiary roads, water supply and irrigation) and develop local governance institutions at the sub-national level.
The two programmes with the largest national outreach both focus on community-based governance, namely the National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP) and the government’s flagship National Solidarity Program (NSP), supported by two technical programmes, the National Rural Access Programme (NRAP) and the Rural Water Supply, Sanitation & Irrigation Programme (RuWatSip). Furthermore, the Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Programme (AREDP) programme has been designed to capitalise upon the institution building and productive infrastructure to provide critical pathways and pragmatic solutions to increasing economic regeneration. Finally, the Afghanistan Institute for Rural Development (AIRD) is a cross cutting entity ensuring uniform message identification and appropriate delivery mechanisms across all MRRD programmes. With such a diverse portfolio MRRD requires a quality advisor to provide well coordinated and comprehensive policy making support to H.E. the Minister.
Responsibilities:
The Policy Advisor to the Minister will be responsible for the following tasks:
Specific Responsibilities:
To provide high quality and specialist advisory support to H.E. the Minister in the areas of Comprehensive Rural Development policies in line with MRRD’s Strategic Intent and to lead and facilitate the development of sustainable policy making capacity and learning within MRRD.
Other Responsibilities:
- Support the development of a conceptual framework that depicts a holistic approach to rural development and respective strategies.
- Assist in the research, development and dissemination of rural development policy documents, strategies and guidelines around current strategic priorities, including:
- Policy development around the sectors that are important to MRRD
- Policy development around broader political/social/ economic themes of ANDS, ARDSS and MRRD’s strategic themes
- Assist in the articulation of rural development policy to donors and other partners.
- Assist in the planning and establishment of policy making capacity in MRRD
- Build the capacity, guide and provide support to the MRRD’s Policy and Planning Unit (direct counterpart) to undertake policy research, development and presentation.
- Support the implementation of MRRD’s Strategic Intent.
- Undertake other advisory functions as required by the Minister.
- Contribute to the development of a Project training plan
Other Tasks:
- Engage Afghan national staff within the Ministry, specifically in the Office of the Minister, in a structured work experience program. Capacity building remains a fundamental objective of MRRD and the programme and the Advisor shall use every opportunity to engage Afghan national staff in project activities as a means of gaining work experience.
Qualifications and Experience:
- The successful candidate will have appropriate qualifications in a field relevant to the sector and will have a minimum of 10 years experience in his/her area of expertise, including programme management.
- Preference will be given to candidates with experience in developing countries, particularly in post conflict or transitional environment.
Education and work experience should provide evidence of the candidate’s:
- Qualified candidates will possess tertiary education in the relevant field.
- Broad expertise in management reforms, including diagnostic review.
- A minimum of 10 years working experience is required, a significant portion of which should have been gained in programme design and implementation, rural development initiatives and project implementation/management
- An extensive knowledge of community led development.
- Experience of liaising and advising at senior government levels (i.e. Minister, Deputy Minister).
- Negotiation skills to develop consensus on changes.
- Analytical thinking, planning, organizing, strategic orientation and coordination/ liaison skills in tandem with cultural sensitivity.
- Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills.
- Organizational and change management skills and ability to work independently and lead.
- Experience in Afghanistan and/or region, highly desirable.
- Proven track record in training and capacity building.
Competencies:
- Analytical thinking.
- Strategic orientation.
- Negotiation skills to develop consensus around policy strategies (asset).
- Display leadership skills and establish and maintain relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support.
- Ability to manage large international development programs in terms of strategic direction and administration.
Language Skills:
- Fluent in English,
- A working knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu desirable.
Computer Skills:
- Experience with MS Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Requirements:
Able to travel within Afghanistan, if required
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