Director of Barikab Agriculture Economic Zone & Rural Development (JICA) position with Dehsabz Barikab City Developement Authority (660 Views)

About Dehsabz Barikab City Developement Authority

In 2006, the President of Afghanistan established an Independent Board for the development of a new city in the Dehsabz area of Kabul. The Board consists of Senior Economic Advisor of the President, Minister of Urban Development, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, leading private sector representatives, urban planning specialists and an urban economist.

As a national priority, the Board formed the Dehsabz City Development Authority (DCDA) in late 2006 as its Financial and authoritative body. The DCDA was tasked to pave the way, through mostly private sector-led activities, for the administration, design, documentation, marketing, implementation and maintenance of this exciting new economic hub for Afghanistan and the region.

A number of European companies specializing in urban design, water management, and sustainable environment and landscaping, business strategies and energy resource management were commissioned to develop the conceptual master plan for the new city. Preliminary conceptual designs, initial feasibility, technical and economic impact studies and a 1:20000 model of future city were complete. With the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the master plan of the New City is now complete and endorsed by the Afghan Cabinet. The project is moving into the final feasibility study and detail design phases and enjoys growing support from the national and international private sector as well as government agencies.

DCDA is a young organization, operating with a top level of professionalism. All DCDA staff are recruited in a highly competitive manner. It aims to build its capacity in 2009 as the project nears its implementation phase.

Job Summary

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Duties and Resposibilities

General Description/Background:

In parallel to working for the development of Barikab (New Kabul City), the Director of Barikab Agriculture Economic Zone & Rural Development will also be responsible for coordinating and supervising all the departments reporting to him/her. The Director of Barikab Agriculture Economic Zone & Rural Development is supposed to lead a team and develop policies for overall management of the project in accordance with interest and goals of DCDA. Besides all these, the Director of Barikab Agriculture Economic Zone & Rural Development needs to have a long term vision for DCDA, and be an excellent ambassador and delivering effective PR.

Reporting Line:

The Director of Barikab Agriculture Economic Zone & Rural Development will report directly to the CEO of DCDA.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

Specific and key accountabilities and responsibilities are outlined as under:

General Management:

• The Director of Barikab Agriculture Economic Zone & Rural Development will be responsible for the management of departments i.e. Barikab Planning, Barikab Marketing and Sales, Barikab Implementation.
• Lead the Barikab departments and develop a corporate culture for the project.
• Supervise, lead and cooperate with Heads of Departments in their day to day operations.
• Develop policies and draft strategies for departments and ensure smooth flow of operations.
• Implement the strategies and translate plans into action to achieve performance goals.
• Host and prepare briefs for donors.
• Demonstrate full and active participation in the planning and implementation of the projects.
• Promote a courteous environment and efficient operations by introducing new procedures as per the policies of DCDA and corporate laws of Afghanistan.
• Prepare periodic reports on the progress of project.
• Embark on new management, policy, analytical task as assigned by the CEO.
• To liaise closely with other departments i.e Barikab, where necessary to ensure efficient and effective management of all DCDA’s activities.

Planning and Project Management:

• Lead the development of strategic and technical plans with strong participation from the team.
• Oversee implementation, performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure that program reporting and monitoring meets DCDA needs and expectations.
• Plan and budget, with the management team, for Human Resources requirements to meet its objectives.
• Ensure oversight and staffing of projects, monitoring and attending to technical, quality and financial performance considerations.
• Work with team to filter to-priority issues and consolidate project information for weekly senior management meetings.
• Make periodic visits to the field to review technical and operational progress.



Leadership:

• Leads his project management team towards the achievement of DCDA’s goals.
• Leading and constituting project management teams for various projects at Barikab.
• Provide knowledge leadership on scaling up domestic private sector participation in the development of the Barikab.
• Motivate the departments for better planning and efficient implementation.

Reporting:

• Respond to all operational and other management reporting requirements in accordance with internal policies of DCDA.
• Fulfill and ensure timely reporting to governments, donors and other as required by the law.
• Preparation of the reports over the progress of the project.
• Reporting about the performance of his team.
• Providing material for budgeting and forecasting of the future.

Donors Relations/Coordination:

• Maintain a steady flow of information with donors and Co-financiers on operational related matters.
• The Director of Barikab Agriculture Economic Zone & Rural Development will liaise with cooperating partners and will present the DCDA in relevant donor fore.
• Struggle for the attraction of donors towards the project of Barikab.
• Respond to ad-hoc information requests from external parties, as may be necessary.
• Build lasting and viable relationships with key donors.
• Organizational culture is maintained and developed, including its values, the reputation in the market while taking into account the various stakeholders.

Staff and Resource Management:

• Bringing staff and resources together to achieve the DCDA goals.
• Help each team member reach personal development plans.
• Ensure optimal use of both human and financial resources of DCDA.


Business Development:

• Struggle for business development by showing his/her excellence in all the areas of his/her duties and responsibilities.
• Build and maintain excellent relations with central and local government, private sector and community groups, as appropriate, in order to secure a high level of support for Barikab among relevant groups and individuals.
• Actively seek and secure increased financial resources for the implementation and ongoing project development.
• Work for the development of DCDA’s plan projects by coordinating with potential donors.
• Lead proposal writing for select important opportunities.
• Oversee new business development for the unit, providing leadership and quality oversight on proposals.

Qualification

A master degree in Agriculture is required. Higher degree in the relevant field will be an advantage.

Skills Required:

Strong candidates will be knowledgeable in the areas of Organizational Development, Planning and Project Management. In addition, they will demonstrate leadership and management skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to covert innovative ideas into complete process.

Additionally, they will possess the following attributes:

• Professionalism in all aspects of work and life
• Well-developed planning, organizational development and business skills.
• Ability to think clearly and logically.
• Skills in planning, problem identification and solution.
• Demonstrated leadership ability: capacity to recruit, lead and marshal the talents of a competent and marshal resources and execute projects to completion.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, ability to allocate and review priorities.
• High degree of flexibility in work and personal life.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with persons of various cultures and disciplines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills of English, Dari/Pashto are strongly desired.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with professional contacts, resources and/or networks and deal with people with sensitivity, tact, discretion and professionalism
• Adept at using a range of computer hardware and software, preferably AutoCAD
• A desire to build the skills of, and motivate a team.


Experience:

Minimum 8 years of experience is preferred including a management/leadership background and in addition:

• The applicant should support or prepare the “Agro Strategic Development Plan” for Barikab.
• Demonstrated extensive professional experience at senior level of management is ideal.
• Have a good knowledge of Agriculture markets and agencies.
• Get acquainted with Agriculture regulations and national codes and standards.
• Demonstrated experience in the development of business plans and the operational strategies for commercial opportunities
• Proven experience in the design and project management and teams for the achievements of organization goals.
• Demonstrated experience in the management and supervision of staff.

Submission Guideline

To apply for the above position, please email your application, together with a CV before 8th February 2012, to

Administrative Manager
Dehsabz City Development Authority (DCDA)
House #4, Street #6, 10th Precinct
Qala-e- Fathullah Khan
Kabul, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Email: jobs@dcda.gov.af

DCDA will not be able to respond to inquiries about application status and will only contact short-listed candidates.

Keyword to search this job on jobs.af

Agriculture & Economic