UNDP AFG – Technical Associate – Public Infrastructure (NPSA6) – 8 Positions

Contract

This is a NPSA-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-6 contracts.

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power.

The ABADEI Strategy is a tailored area-based integrated programming approach to support basic human needs, complementing short-term humanitarian life-saving assistance with the safeguarding of livelihoods and the strengthening of community resilience. It is centered around addressing worsening poverty and vulnerability, supporting community resilience and social cohesion, addressing climatic vulnerability and enabling the rehabilitation of small-scale infrastructure vital for basic human needs. It supports the creation of immediate sources of income through vocational skills training, cash-for-work, cash for market, small businesses and livelihood opportunities with particular focus on agri-business and regenerative agriculture infrastructure and services (critical for food security) that are under threat. It is sensitive to the chronic and newly emerging vulnerabilities of Afghan women and girls and aims at providing them assistance in a manner that does not exacerbate their susceptibility to violence and deprivation of opportunities and rights.

The Technical Associate for Infrastructure will work in close coordination with the PMU team and be responsible for providing technical support to Infrastructure component. S/he works under the guidance and supervision of the Program Manager of ABADEI. The technical associate will also work closely with partners, UN Agencies, technical advisors and experts, and civil society to help implement infrastructure activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

ONLY CURRENT AFGHANISTAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WILLING TO TRAVEL IN KABUL AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

The incumbent will undertake the following to ensure the success of the project:

• Support effective design and implementation of infrastructure activities in the ABADEI program.
• Provide support in developing partnerships and ensure coordination with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders including UN agencies.
• Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the ABADEI program team.

1. Support effective design and implementation of Infrastructure activities in the ABADEI program, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support AFA to ensure proper planning, internal control system and safeguard measures for efficient and effective use of financial and other resources of the ABADEI programme.
• Ensure full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system.
• Support AFA on preparation of budgets, periodic expenditure reporting, donor reporting and other financial reports.
• Properly manage bank and cash operation of the PMU.
• Maintain complete sets of books of accounts and financial records on a daily basis, following standard accounting principles.
• Support AFA in analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for the ABADEI program, monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, and transactions executed.
• Ensure financial transactions are authorized, recorded, filed with adequate supporting documentation.
• Preparation and monitoring of budgets; regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation.
• Provide coordination support in the audit and spot check process in accordance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures including pre-audit preparations and ensure continuous follow ups on the implementation of audit findings.

2. Provide support in developing partnerships and ensure coordination with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders including UN agencies, focusing on achievement of the following:

• Support capacity building of local partners, organize relevant orientations and trainings for local partners.
• Identify potential organizations to engage with in the targeted areas and contribute to build a network.
• Act as the UNDP/ABADEI infrastructure focal person to develop support a coordination mechanism that allows to share information and to harmonize the work carried out by different partners.
• Support working relationships and create programmatic linkages with relevant UN Agencies and counterparts, as guided by the supervisor.

3. Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office:

• Collect information related to infrastructure work and provide inputs for the preparation of substantive briefs and advocacy initiatives.
• Identify and document best practices and lessons learned from infrastructure interventions.
• Assis in producing publicity materials on infrastructure work including success and lessons learned.

Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Competencies

Core Competency

Achieve Results

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.

Act with Determination

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross Functional and Technical Competencies

Digital & Innovation

DATA ANALYSIS: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

Finance

BUDGET MANAGEMENT: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Information Management & Technology

SOLUTIONS ARCHITECTURE: Ability to design and manage the Information system architecture supporting corporate business processes. Design integration strategies and approaches to integrate of one or more applications or services to maintain a coherent and effective IT architecture. Knowledge of ISO 20000 and IT operations. The Open Group TOGAF9 or Open CA, ITIL Master certification, or DevOps or similar certification desirable.

Business Management

COMMUNICATION: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Required Skills and Experience

UNDP STRONGLY ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED WOMEN TO APPLY FOR AVAILABLE POSITIONS FOR WHICH THEY MEET THE STATED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Application Requirement

All Applicants MUST complete and attach the UNDP Personal History-P-11 Form (found here) to their applications in the vacancy site.

Submission of personal resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) will not be acceptable and candidates who fail to attach the above required P-11 form will not be considered.

Min. Education requirement****:

• High School Diploma or High Diploma in Engineering, Economics, Social Sciences, Urban Planning and Development, Civil or Architecture Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Social Sciences, Urban Planning and Development, Civil or Architecture Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business, Public Administration with additional years of relevant experience could be considered.

Relevant Experience:

• Minimum of six (06) years with High School Diploma or three (03) years with bachelor’s degree / High Engineering Diploma of relevant experience in financial management and oversight, work in various aspects of administration including general admin, procurement and human resources, the design and implementation of employment, infrastructure projects or programme.

Required Skills:

• Previous experience of working with community-based NGOs is required.
• Knowledge on result-based management and project implementation is required.
• Good analytical skills and writing skills.
• Experience working in conflict or transition context is required.
• Knowledge and experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), including working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, and experience in the handling of web-based management systems.
• Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English is required – both written and oral.

Fluency in local language of duty station Dari and/or Pashto is required.

ONLY CURRENT AFGHANISTAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WILLING TO TRAVEL IN KABUL AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.