Afghanistan: Activity Design Specialist - Public Financial Management
Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 01 Nov 2013
Background:
The Australian Government established the Development Assistance Facility for Afghanistan (DAFA) in 2007 to support the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. The goal of DAFA’s third phase is to develop the leadership and human capacity required to achieve sustainable economic and social development in Afghanistan. Building capacity and public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver services and improving the quality of education are critical components of this mission and the Afghan government’s efforts to meet its people’s needs.
DAFA III comprises four components:
Australia Awards in Afghanistan offers opportunities for long and short-term study and professional development in Australia with the objective of developing capacity and leadership skills so that individuals can return home and contribute to development in Afghanistan.
Malaysia Australia Education Project for Afghanistan (MAEPA) involves the Governments of Malaysia, Australia and Afghanistan cooperating to provide professional development training to Afghanistan’s Teacher Trainers and teacher college staff to improve the quality of teaching in Afghanistan.
The Public Financial Management (PFM) program aims to improve the quality of core development budget processes in key service delivery Line Ministries.
AusAID-Initiated Activities deliver needs-based, flexible interventions in support of the Australian Government’s strategic programming objectives.
The Activity Design Specialist/Short Term Technical Adviser will deliver specific, intermittent inputs for DAFA Phase III. Specific consultancy dates will be requested when Tasking Notes are issued by AusAID. Each assignment will be to conduct specific activity design and prepare an implementation plan in response to a specific tasking note received from AusAID. Typical assignments are between 2 – 4 weeks, though some assignments may exceed this duration.
DAFA Phase III will embrace a broad range of modes of assistance in order to address individual, institutional and systematic capacity building approaches and will maintain flexibility to meet changing requirements.
The following types of activities are envisioned:
• Provision of individual Advisers deployed in partner Ministries in non-line management functions (coaching, mentoring, advising, and training);
• Provision of technical assistance to undertake specific tasks with and on behalf of partner Ministries (e.g. policy studies, policy advice, research), through subcontracts to local or international organisations or individual advisers;
• Provision of tailored training programs through local or international training providers;
• Design and delivery of projects delivered jointly by counterparts and sub-contractors and/or advisers;
• Provision of Australia Awards scholarships to partner Ministry employee candidates; and
• Support of third country training through the Malaysia-Australia Education Project for Afghanistan (MAEPA).
As part of this process the Activity Design Specialist/Short Term Technical Advisor is required to work with partner Ministries on needs assessments, concept development and activity design.
Objectives of the Assignment:
The objectives of the assignment are:
• To develop and document designs for activities to be funded under DAFA Phase III;
• To produce completed Implementation Plans and design documents for submission to AusAID;
• In consultation with the Facility Manager or his/her designee review Implementation Plans document formats.
Reporting Arrangements:
• The Activity Design/Short Term Technical Adviser will report to the Facility Manager or his/her designee on the development of activities.
• The Adviser will be required to work with and mentor the Activity Coordination Officers (ACOs).
• The Adviser will work with the International M&E Adviser to ensure alignment of activities with the Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) and activity design processes.
Responsibilities and Tasks:
The Activity Design Specialist/Short Term Technical Adviser will:
• Work with the DAFA team to define the DAFA Capacity Development Framework to guide activity design. The Capacity Development Framework should be linked the ANDS Capacity Development Framework, AusAID Capacity Development Strategy and the DAFA Performance Assessment Framework;
• Coordinate and provide advice on the continued analysis of Ministry strategic plans and programs based on DAFA objectives and components to identify priorities and opportunities for DAFA;
• Coordinate and provide advice on mapping current and planned donor investments aligned to Ministries national programs;
• Work with partner Ministries to identify/confirm/develop activity concepts which meet DAFA selection criteria, with reference to DAFA strategic analysis and donor mapping;
• Work with partner Ministry nominated contact persons to develop implementation plans including design analysis, appraisal, cover notes, implementation plans, fully cost budgets, work plans and details of partner Ministry contributions;
• Mentor Ministry counterparts and DAFA Activity Coordination Officers (ACOs) during the activity design process;
• Provide advice to Facility Manager or his/ designee on the recommended approach to activity design and implementation consistent with DAFA Procurement Guidelines; and
• Work with the Facility (project) M&E Officer and International M&E Specialist to ensure activity designs are in line with the DAFA Performance Assessment Framework.
Mandatory Competencies:
• A degree in a relevant field.
• Ability to respond to potential task orders within 1 week to indicate availability.
• Ability to commit to short term activity design with a typical duration of 2 – 4 weeks, though some assignments may exceed this duration.
• Minimum five years’ experience in activity design, including specific experience working on AusAID Facilities (projects).
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in feasibility analysis for public sector infrastructure development.
• Expertise in coaching and mentoring with experience in ensuring capacity development approaches are incorporated successfully into development activities.
• Working knowledge of the Afghanistan context and a flexible approach.
• High level written and oral communication skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate effectively with others from different social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, adapt to different cultures, and listen to ideas and concerns of others.
• Able to balance best practice methods and international experience with prevailing conditions and structures in post-conflict environments.
• Able to meet contractual reporting deadlines.
It is essential that the Activity Design Specialist/Short Term Technical Adviser is able to establish effective working relationships with the key stakeholders, Ministry officials and sub-project personnel. This requires qualities of genuineness of approach and integrity, in order to build mutual respect and trust. The personal attributes of such a person include:
• Capacity to develop and share a vision and strategic approach;
• Ability to work according to agreed principles and model the desirable behaviours, including openness, cooperation, a focus on the wider goals; and
• Sensitive to and able to act appropriately in the Afghan culture.
Travel Requirements:
As required.
Location
Kabul, Afghanistan
This position is an international position with fee rates governed by AusAID’s Adviser Remuneration Framework: Remuneration Tables and Guideline (February 2011). The position fits under Table C: Short-term Adviser, Discipline Group C, Job level 4.
How to apply:
Apply Online: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH13/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRDDC&cws=1...
