Adviser Provincial-level Decentralisation Policy and Strategy

Job Summary:

The Development Assistance Facility for Afghanistan (DAFA) is the Australian Government’s mechanism to provide bilateral support to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Funded by the Australian Agency for International Development, AusAID, DAFA supports key Government of Afghanistan Ministries by providing technical assistance and support to development Activities which build capacity in the supported Ministries.

DAFA works flexibly with Government of Afghanistan Ministries to identify development assistance needs and, in collaboration with Ministries, identify possible responses to those needs. DAFA Goals and Objectives are aligned with the Afghanistan National Development Strategy.

DAFA is located in Kart-e-Se and is managed by GRM International, a leading Australian overseas development assistance and project management company.

DAFA has vacancies for Adviser Provincial-level Decentralisation Policy and Strategy
, who play a critical role in MoE.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Principal Responsibilities: (Including but not limited to)

The Adviser Provincial–level Decentralisation Policy and Strategy, as a team with the Adviser National-level Decentralisation Policy and Strategy, will report to the Minister of Education and work closely with the MOE Directors-General. The Provincial and National level advisers working collaboratively will:
• Assess sub-national devolution capacity and identify key issues relevant for Ministerial consideration.
• Canvass and Formulate policy options at Sub-national level for devolving selected education management processes within core Ministry functions with particular attention to provincial – district devolution and school-based management;
o Key education management processes are likely to include: financial, recruitment, procurement, planning, supervision and audit processes;
o Policy options must take account of current programs and strategies as set out in the National Education Strategic Plan 2010-2014.
o Document selected devolution policy options to be tested in core Ministry functions;
• Advise the Ministry on devolving selected processes by province or clusters of provinces by core function and process;
o Assist with preparing executive orders and other administrative powers to facilitate devolution;
o Assist the provinces with adopting devolved powers and monitor performance.
• Prepare ad hoc reports on other policy issues that may affect or have impacts on devolution initiatives in response to requests by the Minister;
• Role-model central-province and province-district coordination for the phased implementation of selected devolution and the monitoring of implementation of the six (6) national programs;
o Prepare ministerial advice and actions with regard to provincial/district performance;
o Guide, support, and develop the capacity of sub-national departmental heads and personnel for coordination, management and monitoring.
Duration and Location
The Adviser Provincial-level Decentralisation Policy and Strategy will be based in the MOE Office of the Chief of Staff in Kabul with frequent provincial travel. The Provincial Adviser will work as a team with the National Adviser to produce consolidated reports containing the deliverables of each Adviser.
The position is for 18 months with a mid-term review by DAFA.
Deliverables
The Adviser Provincial-level Decentralisation Policy and Strategy will be responsible for the following deliverables. In collaboration with the National Adviser consolidated reports containing the deliverables of each adviser will also be prepared.
1. Sub-national Impact Assessment setting out sub-national implications of alternative approaches to devolution.
2. Policy Options Consultation paper summarising Provincial-District responses to proposed options for devolution of education management processes and recommending policy priorities for Ministerial consideration.
3. Draft Sub-national Devolution Policy and Strategy Paper for the selected policy option/s addressing province-district devolution. The Policy Paper and Strategy Paper should reflect the devolved processes that will be trialled.
4. Executive Orders and other Administrative powers for processes being devolved.
5. Other ad hoc reports requested by the Minister.
6. Quarterly Reports to DAFA produced every three months with respect to the devolution preparatory process and sub-national coordination capacity development activities.
All deliverable reports are to be available in English, Dari, and Pashtu.

Job Requirement:

Qualifications Required:
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field.
• Master degree is preferable.
• 5-8 Years of experience in relevant field.

Competencies/Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels within an organization.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills.
• Able to adapt quickly to changing needs and priorities
• Coaching, facilitating and training skills
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to operate both as a business partner and employee advocate
• Able to work independently or as a team member
• PC skills in Word, Excel and Power Point applications.
Desirable attributes:
• Good interpersonal skills and a willingness to work with people from many nationalities and background
• Demonstrated experience of working to deadlines and achieving goals (Essential)
• Strong commitment to achieving results

Languages:
Fluency in Dari/Pashto/ and English is required

Job Location: