Consultant – Research Lead

About Integrity Watch Afghanistan

BACKGROUND

Integrity Watch is an Afghan civil society organization committed to increase transparency, accountability, and integrity in Afghanistan.

The mission of Integrity Watch is to put corruption under the spotlight through community monitoring, research, and advocacy. We mobilize and train communities to monitor infrastructure projects, public services, courts, and extractives industries. We develop community monitoring tools, provide policy-oriented research, facilitate policy dialogue, and advocate for integrity, transparency, and accountability in Afghanistan.

Integrity Watch was created in October 2005 and established itself as an independent civil society organization in 2006. It has approximately 50 staff members and 1400 volunteers. The head office of Integrity Watch is in Kabul with provincial programmatic outreach in Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamyan, Ghor, Herat, Kabul, Kapisa, Logar, Nangarhar, Parwan, Panjshir, Samangan, and Wardak.

Integrity Watch’s work has three major components: (1) Community Monitoring, (2) Research, and (3) Advocacy. Integrity Watch tries to encourage active citizenship and community mobilization through its programs. Our community monitoring work includes development of community monitoring tools, mobilizing and training communities to monitor infrastructure projects, public services, courts, and extractives industries.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

CoST-the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative in an international initiative aimed to strengthen transparency and accountability in publicly funded projects by disclosure of information. The initiative supports country operations through guidance, technical support and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. Following a recommendation from the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC), the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan joined the CoST initiative in October 2013 through Ministry of Economy.

Job Summary

The Lead Researcher (Consultant) will be responsible to work on CoST Afghanistan 3rd Assurance Report. Assurance report is a light touch independent review that highlights the accuracy and completeness of the disclosed data on a selected sample of projects and identifies issues of concern for the public. Central to this process is the publication of assurance reports, which generate interest and help to build demand for reforms in infrastructure Sector

Duties & Responsibilities

Details about 3^rd Assurance Report

The report will cover approximately 20 infrastructure projects with the following scope:

1. Background of the disclosed project (Aim & Objectives of the project level assurance)
2. Summary of information disclosed on each of the projects

·        Disclosed information by project Phase and Contract Phases (as per CoST Afghanistan Disclosure Manual)

1. Completeness of the disclosed information

·        Summary of disclosed information completeness on the Projects and Contract Phases (Percentage of Actual Disclosure)

1. Accuracy of the disclosed information (Assessment of Disclosed information accuracy by project and contract phases)

·        Source documents used for verification

·        Documents used for closer scrutiny (variations, claims, payment records, progress reports)

·        Variance of information by item (Observed variance on Items/issues that may raise concern at every stage/phase e.g the reasons for any increase in cost, the reasons for any changes of contract duration/ time, the disclosed progress)

·        Explanation of PE for the Variance

·        Summary of Findings

1. Project/Contract specific issues

·        Identifies issues of concern related to procurement and competition (Observation, Justification of changes, brief explanation for unjustified changes)

·        Identifies issues of concern related to the project cost overrun (Observation, Justification of changes, brief explanation for unjustified changes)

·        Identifies issues of concern related to the services/works cost ratio (Observation, Justification of changes, brief explanation for unjustified changes)

·        Identifies issues of concern related to the project Time overrun (Observation, Justification of changes, brief explanation for unjustified changes)

·        Identifies issues of concern related to quality of the construction (Observation, Justification of changes, brief explanation for unjustified changes

1. Recommendations on the key findings and further review of the project

·        Recommendation to the MSG, Government, CSOs and Private Sector on key findings (Clarification and confirmation from the procuring entity on the findings and the highlighted issues, Decision of the MSG on the clarification)

·        Issues suggested for further review (Highlight of issues, focus and scope of review, additional project information required for the review)

Based on the above 3^rd Assurance Report’s activities, he or she will be responsible on the following activities

·        Perform all research related tasks for the Assurance Report in collaboration with CoST Team.

·        Perform project documents study; review planning, contracting, design, implementation, quality management, modifications, close-out and inspection of documents.

·        Prepare technical inspection tools; checklists, questionnaires etc.

·        Conduct site-visits to the project site (districts, villages and cities of different provinces, where accessible and relatively secure ones); record deviations from design documents, modifications and reports

·        Monitor compliance of the contractor with project scope, cost and timeline

·        Assess safety, efficiency, sustainability and challenges of the project.

·        Coordinate extensive field activities; plan, monitor, mentor and report performance of field engineer.

• Check the Government’s e-procurement website to see if the procuring entities have disclosed the information required.
• Request the additional information CoST requires for disclosure from the procuring entities.
• Carry out a site visit to interview the contractors’ staff to verify the disclosed information and observe the physical progress of construction against the specification, programme and financial progress.
• Analyse the disclosed information to identify issues of concern for the public.
• Draft and finalize a report that summarises the coverage of the disclosure, identifies broad performance issues across the sample of projects and highlights points of interest specific to the individual projects.
• Identify whether a detailed review of a sample of projects is required
• Analyseng data and finalize a comprehensive report regarding the delivering process of a sample size of infrastructure project from inception to completion.
• Carrying out any other related activities and task assigned by the Program Manager

Job Requirements

Education

• Must hold at least a bachelor degree in public administration/policy, Business Administration, Engineering (Construction) or any other related fields. Master degree is preferred.

Experience

• Hold at least 3-5 years of experience in reviewing infrastructure projects and public funds
• Excellent knowledge of transparency and accountability in the area of infrastructure
• Experience in analysing data, drafting high-quality research papers
• Experience with community and volunteer organizations is recommended

Knowledge, expertise and capabilities

• Excellent Capability in Report Writing and analysing project documents
• Be motivated to bring change to the Infrastructure sector in Afghanistan
• Have a good knowledge of the aid community and civil society;

·        Have a basic knowledge of the anti-corruption, transparency and accountability, social audit and access to information;

·        Hold good knowledge of finance, budget tracking and planning

• Excellent oral and written communication in English, speak Dari and Pashto;
• Be a strong and confident communicator and presenter;
• Be able to network and establish professional relationships with ease;
• Be willing and able to build strong relationships with community members in target provinces as well as public officials of all levels;
• Be open to accepting direction and guidance from supervisors;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from different cultures and professional backgrounds
• Able to work independently and efficiently.
• Result-oriented and able to deliver within tight deadlines;

·        Willing to work overtime, holidays and weekends as requested by IWA management

Languages:

Fluency in English, Pashtu or Dari

Computer Skills

Office Package “MS. Office, MS. Excel, Power Point”; Internet, Outlook; 

Personal qualities

• Should be able to work as a team and independently;
• Should have analytical skill;
• Should be able to resolve problems;
• Possess a high level of motivation and strong work ethic

Submission Guideline

Please apply by sending a CV and a cover letter that outlines how your experience and education relates to the skills and experience outlined in the Terms of Reference to: hr@integritywatch.org    In the e-mail subject line please write “Consultant – Research Lead and your name.

The deadline for applications is 31-July-2020. However, interviews of suitable candidates may begin as applications are received. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Functional Area

Consulting

Countries

Submission Email

hr@integritywatch.org

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