Expert in Institutional Reform (m/f) for Agricultural and

Job Description

As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. For our operations in Afghanistan, Kabul we are looking for a

Expert in Institutional Reform (m/f) for Agricultural and Rural Market Development

Field of activity

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a service enterprise for development cooperation with international operations and global experience. Owned by the Federal Republic of Germany, the organisation operates as a private-sector enterprise with a development-policy mandate: to make sustainable improvements to the living conditions of people in partner countries. The organization’s business area GIZ International Services is the vehicle for offering results-oriented services on the international market.

With Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) GIZ International Services planning to implement two components of the EU-supported Fund for Agricultural and Rural Market Development (FARM). The objective of the FARM program is to create prosperous, stable and resilient rural communities by promoting sustainable economic growth and employment in rural areas. FARM is addressing current weakness of both public extension service and private extension service suppliers in addressing the needs of farmers in Afghanistan. FARM is a nationwide approach with specific regional focuses.

The two components to be implemented by GIZ seek to enhance and reorganize the national extension service system as well as to catalyze the enhanced use of input supplies and services through strengthening private suppliers and their linkages to farmers. In this regard, the program will cooperate with a diverse partner structure that includes stakeholders from government and private sectors as well as farmers as the target group and is working at national and sub-national levels.

Your tasks

The Component Manager (m/f) will be responsible for all management tasks and duties related to a program component of FARM that is targeting on the institutional reform and capacity development in the extension service system in Afghanistan. In cooperation with the main partner ministry (MAIL) and other relevant government institutions (such as Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development/MRRD) he/she is in charge of the planning and implementation of FARM activities related to the reform of the existing extension service system and capacity development measures required to enable relevant stakeholders (public and private) to fulfill their tasks in the new system (national and sub-national level). He/she will directly report to the team leader and will work closely with Deputy Minister and MAIL Extension Director and the various components of FARM. Furthermore, he/she will replace the Team Leader during his/her absence. Specifically, his/her responsibilities envisioned include, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Advise MAIL and MRRD in developing and implementing the extension outreach model

• Analyze the existing extension service and develop of proposal for future system incl. plan for implementation

• Plan, implement and supervise capacity development measures

• Regular and close communication/cooperation with all project partners and target groups

• Advise and facilitate processes in the context of a sector-wide approach (incl. development standard operating procedures) in the reform of the extension outreach system

• Advise and facilitate the formation of a Shared Services Agreement between relevant partner ministries as a foundation for a sector-wide approach as well as cross-ministry funding of joint activities

• Strengthen the agricultural extension outreach knowledge management system (analysis of existing agricultural extension knowledge, identification of gaps, formulation and implementation of research measures to fill gaps)

• Develop a communication strategy for the reformed extension system (including relevant ministries and private sector partners)

• Plan and supervise the recruitment/engagement of external consultants

• Report regularly within program and to government and EU

Your profile

Qualifications and skills:

• Master’s Degree in rural development, agriculture, economics or a discipline related to the purpose of the project or Bachelor’s Degree and 10 years of professional experience relevant to the project
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)

General professional experience:

• At least 10 years of professional experience with a minimum of 5 years with focus on agriculture and rural development programs
• Working experience in least developed countries and/or fragile states would be an asset
• Afghanistan experience and/or regional experience (Central Asia or South Asia, Middle East) would be an asset

Specific professional experience:

• Experience in the management of (ideally agriculture and /or rural development) projects
• Experience in analysis, development and implementation of extension service models
• Comprehensive experience in working with government institutions at national and sub-national levels
• Comprehensive experience in the planning and implementation of capacity building programs
• Excellent cooperation and communication skills
• Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu would be an advantage

Assignment period

The project is likely to start in January 2016 with duration of 48 months from this date.

Other information

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and in collaboration with the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) and national and international consultants, GIZ has developed a risk management system that minimises personal dangers and risks. Risk management offices staffed with trained personnel monitor and analyse the situation, issue security reports, and advise our colleagues on safety and security measures. GIZ offers an attractive remuneration package for assignments in Afghanistan, with a number of benefits. In addition to a competitive annual salary, we offer a wide range of allowances such as rent subsidies and lump-sum travel payments. GIZ takes its responsibility vis-à-vis its employees very seriously. We ensure that for every two to three months they spend in Afghanistan, they recuperate for at least a week outside the country. We pay up to three annual allowances for this recuperation period.

We provide thorough preparation for staff in the run-up to their assignment. Briefing arrangements include a general introduction to GIZ, along with measures such as security training, and stress and crisis management, and are tailored to suit the specific assignment.

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We welcome job applications from people with disabilities. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to apply until 19.11.2015.