Specialist, Sustainable Development Unit

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

To play catalytic role to facilitate sustainable development in Afghanistan by undertaking appropriate policy and programmatic interventions for integrating sustainable development principles in the national development framework. In other words, UNDP’s engagement in the environment and natural resources sectors contributes to resilience based Sustainable Development, Poverty Reduction and Conflict Resolution in Afghanistan withstanding other development entities as reputable and strong development partner.

Target outcome of the activities of SDU is prudent environment and natural resources management in place that leads to equitable and inclusive economic growth, better public health and greater social justice to achieve sustainable development.

As acknowledged in the major policy documents of Afghanistan, sustainable management of natural resources is the key ingredient for equitable development in the country as 80% of its population depends on natural resources. As reflected in the major national plans and strategies, some of the important areas are (i) land and water resources management; (ii) pro-environment and pro-poor sustainable mining; (iii) restoration and management of productive ecosystems; (iii) integrated management of forest and rangeland; (iv) protected area management and biodiversity conservation; (v) management of mountain ecosystems for sustainable agroforestry and biodiversity conservation (vi) development of renewable energy technology systems for rural and urban areas; (vii) low emission and climate resilient cities and localities; (viii) adaptation specifically in agriculture and infrastructure sectors; and (ix) pollution abatement specially in the urban areas.

• Ensure strategic direction of UNDP programme on the themes related to sustainable development;    
• Lead the updating process of SDU objectives, strategy and work plans;
• Management of the SDU programme and supervision of the Programme team;
• Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization;
• Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and UNDP and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Lead and facilitate development of national guidelines and sector-specific environmental guidelines (including EIA guidelines) intended to other ministries, particularly but not limited to MRRD;
• Plan and execute ‘poverty-environment-humanitarian development’ awareness raising activities targeted to the national (ministerial), sub-national and community-level audiences;
• Coordination of Program implementation with the main partners and other executing stakeholders and relevant counterparts such as NEPA, MAIL, MRRD, MoEW, MoM, and as well as UN partner agencies such as UNEP, FAO, UNOCHA, MoUD and UNIDO. Lead the development of appropriate development objectives, strategies and work plans including performance targets and budgets, based on the national environment and natural resources related plan, policies and strategies;
• Coordinate the identification of key areas of UNDP’s institutional development support for relevant government agencies in consultation with other UN and external actors to harmonize institutional development activities; 
• Lead the development of appropriate institutional development objectives, strategies and work plans including performance targets and budgets.
• Lead the preparation and implementation of the annual results based work plans and result frameworks as endorsed by the UNDP Country Office Management and identification of possibilities for joint programming with Government entities such as NEPA, MRRD, MAIL, MoEW and MoM as well as relevant UN agencies;
• Ensures effective management of the SDU Programme personnel focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation including preparing results based work plans and progress reports, high performing organizational set-up and management, ensuring delivery of planned results and resources.
• Coordinate the regular assessment of the capacity development requirements, set capacity development objectives, plan and ensure its implementation. Guide and set performance and development objectives and targets to the staff, arrange training programs and other development/learning opportunities;
• Manage SDU’s overall delivery and organize monitoring and tracking system for all projects under its portfolio;
• Develop and maintain an effective team of staff. 
• Help establish and manage the team for achieving program outcomes, ensure timely flow of information and adequate reporting and monitoring of progress.
• Ensuring effective management of the governance plan, reporting, monitoring & evaluation and measuring the impact of the SDU Program. 
• Constant monitoring and analysis of the Program environment, timely readjustment of Program.
• Follow up on audit recommendations;
• Ensure close coordination and work closely with stake holders to provide advice to the relevant government agency leadership;
• Leading effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results. Undertake periodic review of the institutional development activities in consultation with all key stakeholders and produce recommendations and proposals as required;
• Coordinate Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the Program, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Monitor the progress against agreed plans and milestones, initiate corrective actions and produce regular reports to UNDP and relevant government agency leaderships;
• Ensure regular reporting and preparation of achievements on activities, outputs and outcomes. 
• Preparation of reports for donor and partners in consultation with the relevant counterparts;
• Provide advice on integration of the concept of resilience based sustainable human development in the local, sub-national and national development framework to UNDP, government and UN counterpart agencies. 
• Plan and conduct regular field assessments in close collaboration with government counterpart.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization in cooperation with the Management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Leading the implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve program outcomes. Ensure the establishment of a close working relationship and cooperation with the relevant government agencies including the leadership of NEPA, MRRD, and MoAIL;
• Coordination and creation of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc. Build relationship with donors and other stakeholders for resource mobilization, increased program linkages with on-going activities as part of program sustainability measures. Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, seminars, as appropriate.  
• Ensure the development and establishment of effective consultation processes and coordination and communication mechanisms with NEPA, MRRD departments and other key stakeholders; 

The Head of SDU ensures knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise,
• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the country programme for organizational sharing and learning;
• Supports capacity-building of national counterparts;
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the COs.

• Demonstrates integrity and adherence to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge on resilience based sustainable development, linkages between poverty-environment-humanitarian and sustainable livelihood issues;
• Advocates and provides high-caliber policy advice to clients and ensure strong representation.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, ensure results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects, ensure effective coordination as well as mobilize resources;
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to think and communicate clearly with others, motivate and lead people;
• Demonstrated abilities to take initiative, build consensus and make things happen;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

• Master’s Degree in earth or life sciences disciplines such as Natural Resources Management, Geography, Botany, Zoology or other relevant field.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience with at least 5 years of direct project development and management experience in the environment sector (including international experience);
• Proven team leadership experience (as a team leader) and management skills;
• Extensive knowledge and practical experience in Multilateral Environmental Agreements and relevant multilateral and bilateral institutional entities including GEF  
• Extensive knowledge of institutional/organizational development including working with national institutions and counterparts;
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge management including working as an international resource person and publications in the relevant areas
• Professional experience in post-conflict or transitional countries preferred;
• Computer skills, including extensive experience using MS Office, Project Management Tools and other applicable computer applications

• Excellent communication skills: speaking, writing, and listening, and effective report writing skills;
• Willingness to travel extensively within the country (a significant percentage of the work will be conducted in the field).

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 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

• Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 3 weeks of the offer of appointment.
• Internal candidates who have served a minimum of 12 months in the current assignment are invited to apply.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.