About UNDP/ACT

Job Summary

Methodology in undertaken the assignment:
In carrying out the assignment, the contractor shall:
The Contractor will review all existing project documents, periodic reports and project outputs, the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, UNDP Country programme, documents related to the HOO, and other relevant documents; consult extensively with project partners and stakeholders, UN personnel, other agencies/ donors (UNIFEM, GTZ, USAID, CIDA, SIDA, UNFPA, UNICEF, JICA, etc.) mechanisms, and consult extensively with officials of the HOO involved in anti-corruption work.
The Contractor will also assess funding prospects and proceed to assess project implementation and provide recommendations on improving project components.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibility:
The International Consultant (Vulnerability to Corruption Assessment) will be under the overall guidance and management of the Project Manager and direct supervision and of the Project Component Coordinator II. The International Consultant will work in close consultation with the senior management of the Ministry of Education as well as the relevant team of ACT Project.

Objective of the Assignment:

The Government of Afghanistan ( GoA ) has requested its international partners to support the development, adoption, and implementation of an anti-corruption strategy. In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is conducting a series of individual sectoral and functional analyses.

The Ministry of Education is responsible for primary and secondary education in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Education’s current strategic plan advocates a revitalized education system that is guided by the tenets of Islam, an education system that will act as a fundamental cornerstone in shaping the future of the country through peace and stability, democracy and good governance, poverty reduction and economic growth. The centrality of education to the development, growth and thereby stability of Afghanistan cannot be overstressed. Rebuilding is currently its primary goal, as many schools are broken shells with no window panes or roofs, bullet-pocked walls and collapsing stairways, however classes continue, sometimes under canvas.

The eight departments of Ministry are: Curriculum Development, Education Administration, Educational Infrastructure Development, General Education, Islamic Education, Literacy and Non Formal Education, Teacher Education, Technical / Vocational Education and Chief of Staff.

The Administration Department is responsible for internal coordination and administrative tasks, including HRD, procurement and bidding, planning. The Administration Department plays pivotal role in the Ministry of Education in upgrading the existing human resource management and providing trainings and career development opportunities for civil servants in the Ministry of Education.

The objective of this assessment is to identify key vulnerabilities to corruption in the Administrative Department and Certificate Issuing Unit as well to perform procedure reengineering in the Ministry of Education based on past and existing work practices in Afghanistan, discussions with departments, and desk reviews of business processes, regulations, and policies. In this context, corruption is defined as the abuse of public office for personal gain. The goals are to develop: i) options to mitigate identified vulnerabilities, ii) a tool to assess progress in mitigating these vulnerabilities, and iii) and to perform procedure reengineering in mentioned departments i.e. administration and certificate issuing unit.

Scope of the Assignment:

The job description for the Vulnerability to Corruption Assessment in the Administration Department and Certificate Issuing Unit in the Ministry of Education includes:

Identify major business processes in the Administration Department and Certificate Issuing Unit (e.g., around planning, formulation, execution, monitoring) based upon an informed assessment of the processes potentially most vulnerable to corruption of each unit of the Administration Department including human resource, procurement, finance etc.
Conduct a desk review of key administrative processes:
a. Identify underlying laws, regulations, guidelines, procedures and standards for each process (e.g., human resource, procurement, accounting);

b. Identify key steps of each business process including key stakeholders / decision makers / managerial responsibilities (e.g. human resource management) and the tools to hold them accountable (e.g. forms; recruitment process, evaluation mechanisms, procurement processes, etc);

c. Study the customer interface and key elements causing delays and bureaucracy in the contracting of services/procurement;

d. Assess strengths and vulnerabilities to corruption for each step based on weakness in the formal system (Guidelines, rules, TOR) or weakness in the capacity and incentives to implement the formal system. This step can be based on assessments of the Administration Department staff.1) Do they know the prescribed process? 2) Do/can they implement it? 3) Do they have the tools and capacity to implement it effectively?

e. Summarize key vulnerabilities to corruption in the Administration Department and Certificate Issuing Unit developing options to mitigate these vulnerabilities and in addition, document areas where vulnerabilities have already been mitigated. This should be validated through group or individual discussions as appropriate.

Assess the interaction and coordination with other departments in the Ministry of Education and externally with Ministry of Finance and Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC);
Develop a questionnaire and/or other instruments to assess progress in mitigating these vulnerabilities (this should be validated through group/individual discussions). This could be a self-assessment for Administration Department staff or and/or a survey for line ministries (for example mid to senior staff in the Independent Commission for Administrative and Public Service Reform) on the Administration Department performance with respect to corruption;
Provide recommendations for the development of incentive systems to promote high performance of ministry staff;
Conduct business procedure reengineering as required for the departments upon the identification vulnerabilities after the assessment.
Output of the Assignment:

The consultant will provide a report providing analytical information on business processes, supported by appropriate process charts and tabular information, encompassing:

Identification of key actions for major Administration Department business processes, tracking measures, area of vulnerability, suggested mitigation measures, and weight impact of the vulnerability;
Progress assessment measurement indicators or tools;
Summary of key findings, recommendations of mitigation measures, and next steps towards their implementation;
Prepare a report of findings as per the VCA with writing the business procedure reengineering for departments at MOE;
In order to build the capacity of the local staff, consultant will deliver two seminars/workshops during his/her stay, for the required departments (and wider audience may be invited, which will be agreed by Administration Department and UNDP) to explain the processes, methodology and key findings. Consultant will also share his/her knowledge about international best practice/comparative experience in VCAs when the recommendations brought qualitative change.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership;
Experience in conducting surveys, assessments (in particular anti-corruption);
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Proven ability to lead and motivate staff in challenging environments;
Ability to develop and manage professional relationships;
Ability to develop capacity and competencies of staff and to transfer skills.
Behavioral competencies:

Ability to work effectively with government and donor counterparts;
Proven experience in knowledge transfer and capacity development;
Excellent networking skills;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Treats all people fairly and without favoritism.

Job Requirements

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Development Studies, Law, International Relations, and Education preferred or other relevant field;
Knowledge of Afghanistan is preferable. Previous experience of working with Government of Afghanistan an asset;
Proven ability to communicate effectively, and build partnerships on difficult reforms;
Five to ten years of relevant work experience in the field of governance, with a particular focus on transparency and accountability;
At least 5 years experience and proven technical track record in anti-corruption and public administration reforms;
Fluency in English, Knowledge of Pashto and Dari (Preferred).

Submission Guideline

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm

Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (available at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm) in the relevant field of the on-line applications.
Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (15 August 2010) will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications who are short-listed will be contacted.
For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Functional Area

Government Advisory

Countries

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