Afghanistan: Associate Project Officer

Background and Context

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a mandate in education, sciences, culture, communication and access to information. It is one of the largest players for cultural programs in Afghanistan and supports the government in its endeavor to preserve the country’s culture and promote nation-building.

Within this overall framework, UNESCO is currently undertaking a number of different cultural programs, aimed at supporting the relevant Afghan authorities in their efforts to protect and promote Afghanistan’s culture in all its dimensions and its contribution to the social and economic development of the country.

In 2016, the Ministry of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and UNESCO signed a partnership agreement to develop culture and creative industries in Afghanistan through a newly-established Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

Recognizing the power of culture as a driver of social and economic development, this long-term initiative is established to support the National Program for Culture and Creative Economy (NPCE). The program prioritizes culture in the country’s policies and strategies to create jobs and improve livelihoods and exports. It seeks to harness cultural activities and industries among Afghanistan’s core resources globally. It focuses on three priorities: (i) the safeguarding of cultural heritage, (ii) the development of a network of cultural centers across the country to foster heritage education and (iii) the promotion of creative industry for employability and job creation.

As contribution to one of the NPCE's eight Thematic Areas - 'Right to Culture'- UNESCO has recently started the Project 'Culture & Sports for Social Cohesion and Sustainable Reintegration of Afghan Returnees and IDPs' (hereinafter the 'Hamdeli Project'), funded by the European Union and aimed at facilitating social cohesion, social integration and peaceful coexistence of Internally Displaced People (IDPs), returnees and host communities in two major provinces of Afghanistan (Herat and Nangarhar) with a high density of displaced population.

UNESCO is looking for a committed Associate Project Officer with specific experience in cultural/social projects who will contribute to the implementation and management of the Hamdeli Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of the Kabul Office and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the successful candidate will contribute to the implementation of the Hamdeli Project.

The incumbent will:

1. Contribute to the overall implementation and coordination of the Hamdeli Project towards the achievement of the expected results by:

· Preparing the technical components of project work-plans, including the evaluation of required procurement processes and related time/budgetary estimation;

· Contribute to the preparation of technical components (Terms of references; number and typology of expected deliverables; estimated time for implementation of tasks and submission of related deliverables) of contracts for the implementation of activities;

· Contribute to the coordination and planning of the Project's team tasks, including contractors and consultants hired in the framework of the Project;

· Organizing stakeholders' meetings and/or other events as required and necessary for the effective implementation of the Project.

1. Contribute to ensuring a proper monitoring and evaluation of the Project implementation and the reporting on Project's activities by:

· Conducting periodic reviews of the Project with relevant stakeholders and counterparts, including the donor;

· Prepare analytical periodic reports, briefings and other documents to be shared with relevant stakeholders and counterparts, including the donor;

· Ensure regular follow-up on the implementation of contracts;

· Regularly monitor the financial status of the Project with a view to the fulfillment of Project’s timeframe and expected results and prepare budget revisions as necessary.

1. Contribute to facilitating information sharing amongst relevant stakeholders in the course of the project, as and when instructed, including liaising with relevant sectors in UNESCO Headquarters and with other UN Agencies as required to strengthen the Project's outputs and build synergies with other relevant UN programs and activities;

2. Contribute to the preparation of new projects/programmes related to culture/social reintegration in Afghanistan, as appropriate and required;

3. Undertake missions as necessary and requested for project implementation.

Competencies

A successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies:

Core Competencies

· Accountability

· Communication

· Teamwork

· Commitment

· Innovation

· Results focus

· Planning and organizing

· Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework

Required qualifications

Education

· Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in social or human sciences, development studies, or any other related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of working experience in the culture/social human sciences sectors, of which preferably 1 year acquired at the international level.

Skills and competencies

· Strong analytical and problem solving skills;

· Excellent interpersonal skills;

· Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely;

· Excellent project implementation skills;

· Ability to make sound decisions on all aspects of project implementation;

• Good knowledge of standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.);

· Familiarity with procurement processes and budgetary management.

Languages

· Excellent knowledge (written and oral) of the English.

Desirable qualifications

Working experience

• Experience within the UN system;

· Experience in a conflict/post-conflict context.

Assessment

An assessment exercise may be used in the evaluation of candidates

How to apply

Interested candidates should complete the UNESCO CV with a cover letter in English explaining their interest in the position and forward it electronically to the following e-mail address:

k.human-resource@unesco.org

Please indicate the position number you are applying for the position number 4AFSHS0001PA. Incomplete UNESCO CV will not be processed.

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that their application is submitted before 5th April 2019 (midnight, Kabul time). **Only preselected candidates will be contacted.

Benefits and entitlements:

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, as well as exchange rates.

Other benefits include: 30-day annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. More details can be found on the ICSC Website.

Please note that UNESCO is a no-smoking Organization.