Job Code Title: Aid Coordination Officer VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT No. 2007/09/283 Organizational Unit: UNDP/CO, Afghanistan: Seconded to Budget Department, Ministry of Finance Project Name: Making Budgets & Aid Work Project Type of Appointment: Service Contract (National) Level: SC8 Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension) Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan Number of Position(s): (2) Two Closing Date for Applications: 04 October 2007
UNDP Mission Statement: UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.
Organizational Context: UNDP is assisting the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan by enhancing Government capacity to lead budget coordination and implementation processes. UNDP is seeking a qualified and experienced Afghan to be seconded to the Budget Department of the Ministry of Finance. The Budget Department within the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the preparation of the National Budget, and for monitoring and reporting on its implementation.
The National Budget is largely a donor/aid Co-ordination function at present with considerable liaison and involvement of international partners. The budget is used as a major co-ordination mechanism of the Government through which it consults, agrees and articulates to all national and international stakeholders the expenditure programmes and priorities of the Government for the year ahead. The National Budget is also the primary instrument for the Government to allocate and manage its financial resources (both internally and externally generated) in a balanced, transparent and accountable manner within a short to medium term framework. The Budget Team is a small and dynamic unit. It is structured to reflect the eight Pillars of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. It is matrix managed to ensure that both donors and ministries have a desk officer with whom they can liaise.
The Budget Team receives funding from international partners to support its work.
Functions / Key Results Expected: The main responsibilities of the Aid Coordination Officer include but are not limited to: The Aid Coordination Officer will work under the supervision of the Aid Coordination Unit Team Leader. S/he will help in planning and procurement of aid from donor partners and its integration into national policies and priorities stated in Afghanistan National Development Strategy. - Serve as donor focal point: donor structure, policies and priorities; responding to questions raised by the donor; facilitate meetings of donor headquarter delegations with government ministries and other stake holders; - Provide briefs to senior Government colleagues on the donors and Trust Funds for which the Officer is responsible, including donor profiles for Cabinet; - Participation in the negotiation and finalization of Grant and Loan Agreements, and reporting on these agreements, guided by the supervisor; - Play a facilitating role in budget preparation, review and implementation; Expand the knowledge and understanding of government officials on the aid process, the project cycle, and individual donors’ peculiarities and requirements, thus enhancing their capacity to mobilize resources and coordinate aid; - Ensure Government is able to track aid flows into country at macro and project level within and outside of the National Budget through the effective maintenance of the Government’s Donor Assistance Database (DAD) to track and coordinate aid; - Play a supportive role to the Consultative Groups, MoF-donor coordination sub-committee and other consultative mechanisms; promote Government-donor/UN dialogue at all levels to achieve mutual understanding and facilitate information flow on aid management and utilization; - Ensure availability of up-to-date and comprehensive information on donors and their programs; perform regular analysis of aid to Afghanistan; - Prepare for and help organize national and international conferences on aid to Afghanistan; - Other analytical and administrative tasks or any other duties reflecting overall purpose of the Aid Coordination Unit and the specific coordination objectives of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Competencies: - Project implementation experience with the UN system a strong asset; - Results oriented, strong team player with outstanding interpersonal and coordination skills.
Recruitment Qualifications: Education: - Master’s degree in economics, business/public administration or equivalent is preferred; - Strong written and oral communication skills in Dari, Pashto and English are essential. - Ability to demonstrate a good/strong teamwork player; - Proof of ability to coordinate a team in a complex work environment.
Experience: - Minimum 2 – 3 years of progressively experience in the related field; - Considerable experience in the field of data analysis and reporting and presentation; - Experience in managing database of complex information and quality control; - Working experience with the Government agencies, donors, NGOs and United Nations.
Language Requirements: - Fluency in English (reading and writing) and proficiency in Dari or Pashto.
Submission of Applications: The application comprises a one-page cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the post, and a UN Personal History Form (P11) (, ), your latest RCA (For UNDP contract holders) or an official performance evaluation report for all staff and non staff of the UN system. Interested Afghans national Candidates should submit their applications in writing (marked “Confidential”, clearly indicating on the sealed envelope the Vacancy Announcement Number) to the Human Resources Officer of UNDP at Shah Mahmood Ghazi Watt Street, Kabul, Afghanistan; or email their applications (indicating on the subject line the VA number and the title of the position applied for) to .
Please note that incomplete applications & applications received after the closing date (i.e. 04 October 2007) will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for test and an interview.
Internal Candidates are eligible to apply only if they have completed full tenure of their current agreement
Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply
