Afghanistan: Technical Advisor for Foreign Relations and Scholarships
Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 04 Oct 2013
Average salary up to US$120,000.00/annum plus allowances based on relevant qualifications and work experiences1. Organizational ContextMinistry 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 31 public universities and higher education institutes, 69 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 the 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 higher education for 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 Education CTAP is now seeking to fill the position of Technical Advisor for Foreign Relations and Scholarships to work in Ministry of Higher Education’s Foreign Relations Directorate, under the management of the Deputy Minister of Academic Affairs. This position is open to international passport holders only.
- Position2.1 Nature and Scope of AssignmentThis assignment involves supporting a government-led capacity development program within Ministry of Higher Education’s Foreign Affairs Department. Under the supervision of Deputy Minister of Academic Affairs, the successful candidate will provide technical advice, management support and technical inputs required to allow Ministry of Higher Education to achieve the target improved data bank system, coordination and communication system, need assessment system at country level and business process re-engineering process and 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 expertise and knowledge to them. This position does not involve management or line responsibilities in any circumstance. 2.2 Duties and ResponsibilitiesWorking under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education Deputy Minister of Academic Affairs, and with a designated counterpart in the Foreign Relations Directorate, with assistance from the CTAP Capacity Development team and other relevant staff and advisors, the Technical Advisor for Foreign Relations and Scholarships will:• Assist in the Development of a data bank system, assist and train Foreign Relations directorate staff on how to maintain and update the system • Support the Development of proper coordination and communication system, train and assist relevant staff on how to communicate and align all related data with concerned embassies, donors and other institutions • Assist and train RFD staff in drafting and generating reports • Assist and enhance communication skill of Foreign Relations Directorate staff to communicate effectively and efficiently concerning the scholarships and cultural cooperation issues with donors and other relevant entities
• Assist the Development of monitoring system, help and train FRD staff on how to implement and maintain the track of scholarships at the ministry level• Develop comprehensive need assessment system that helps MoHE to identify current and future needs of modern and higher professions at country level, train and help FRD staff in implementation of the system • Assist and train relevant staff to conduct need assessment, analyze the data identify the real needs, suggest proper recommendation and maintain documentations
• Re-engineer business processes that help MoHE reduce duplications; train relevant staff on how to implement and practice the mentioned system
• Conduct presentation sessions to HRD staff to enhance their presentation skill that help them to present Foreign Relations directorate in meetings, conferences, workshops and other related occasions
2.3 DeliverablesThe deliverables of the Technical Advisor for Foreign Relations and Scholarships are:• Professional data bank system developed and ready for implementation• Proper coordination and communication system put in place• Comprehensive need assessment system developed and ready for implementation• Key business processes re-engineered
• Reporting system developed • Foreign Relations Directorate staff are fully trained on above mentioned areas
2.4 Skills, Experience and Qualifications RequiredThe successful candidate should have the following skills, experience and qualifications:• Masters’ degree in International Relation, Business/Public Administration or other related field; PhD preferred • Minimum 10 years of work experience in management or relevant discipline with minimum of 5 years work experience in foreign/international relation field
? Demonstrated history of providing training, coaching and mentoring to local counterpart staff is a plus? Able to produce reports and other standards documents, in English, up to a professional standard? Previous experience in under-developed, insecure or post-conflict environments a plus? Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is a strong plus? Afghan expatriates and nationals of countries in Afghanistan’s region are especially preferred for this position. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for CTAP positions. Afghan expatriates and nationals of countries in Afghanistan’s region are especially preferred for this position. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for CTAP positions.
How to apply:
Submission Guideline: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. Females are highly encouraged to apply for CTAP positions.
