DACAAR (Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refu...

DACAAR (Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees) has implemented rural rehabilitation and development projects in Afghanistan since 1989 and is looking for a leader to be in charge of the Rural Development Programme (RDP). DACAAR was established in 1984 by an association currently consisting of the Danish Refugee Council and Danish People's Aid.General responsibilitiesWith reference to the Director, the RDP Chief will be the overall responsible for the strategic development of the rural development vision, policies, strategies, networking, advocacy, soliciting contracts with government and donors and ensuring that DACAAR’s RDP activities are of a calibre that fits with DACAAR’s reputation, timely delivery, staff capacity building and overall synergisation and coordination with all DACAAR entities. The RDP Chief works closely with the Afghan Programme Manager and is supported by expatriate and national senior staff.TasksSpecifically, the RDP Chief’s responsibilities will include:Strategy development and capacity building• Ensure that RDP develops according to agreed vision and strategic direction• Review regularly RDP strategy in order to achieve RDP and DACAAR goals and objectives• Maintain and update databases relevant to RDP • Develop policies and procedures as needed for adequate implementation of RDP• Ensure that programme beneficiaries receive appropriate support to sustain adequate livelihood • Pursue actively the improvement in understanding of gender issues and promotion of gender mainstreaming in the RDP• Ensure a coherent and coordinated approach in implementing the RDP activitiesManagement• Support the RDP Manager to work out annual plans for RDP including required budget, personnel, logistics etc. for general RDP activities as well as for secured contracts• Identify projects, prepare surveys in planned project areas as well as other technical components and inputs related to it• Visit field offices and project sites as needed• Represent RDP at all relevant meetings (internal/external)• Authorise adequate programme management and expensesAdvocacy and networking• Networking with relevant ministries, multi- and bi-national donors so as to strengthen the rural development undertaking• Support the Director and other colleagues in networking with the international players by preparing and presenting papers at meetings, conferences etc.• Consult the Director and represent DACAAR in relevant networks and forums in Afghanistan and elsewhere with the aim of ensuring that the experience gained by DACAAR is incorporated into government and sector development policies and strategies• Assist the Director in fundraisingMonitoring, evaluation and research• Develop monitoring and evaluation strategy taking into consideration quantitative and qualitative data and plan specific impact studies aiming at improving the RDP and include findings in strategy review• Ensure that research, evaluation and assessment of RDP activities is carried out in order to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the programme and incorporate findings in relevant documents• Establish quality Management Information System for RDPCommunication • Ensure that information on the programme is shared with senior management• Ensure full coordination and cooperation with the Water and Sanitation Programme, the Policy and Advocacy Section and all other entities of DACAAR as requiredPlanning, budgeting and reporting• Responsible for the RDP overall planning, budgeting and proposal writing in coordination with Finance• Maintain an overview and assessment of the budget and funding situation of the overall RDP• Ensure quality and timely preparation of proposals and reports to donors and government• Submit quarterly and other periodic reports as requiredFurthermore, the RDP Chief will undertake other tasks as might be decided by the Director.Qualifications• Minimum 10 years of experience in managerial/advisory posts• Experience with proposal writing• An educational background in natural resource management or rural development • Work experience from Afghanistan is an advantage• Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Dari/Pashto an advantageFurther information about the positionPlease contact • Dorthe Egebech Warnaars, Programme Coordinator, Tel: +******, e-mail: • Arif Qaraeen, Director, Tel: +93 (0) ******00Please note that applications are not to be sent to Ms. Warnaars, nor to Mr. Qaraeen. Applications sent directly to the above contacts will not be taken into consideration.We only accept applications sent via our on-line system on www.drc.dk under Vacancies/Current Vacancies/Chief of Rural Development Programme. A copy of DACAAR’s latest annual report and more information about DACAAR is available on www.dacaar.org.ConditionsDuty station: Kabul, Afghanistan. The work will require travelling in rural areas in Afghanistan, subject to the security situation. Kabul is classified as a non-family duty station.Contract: One year (with possibilities for extension), with the Danish Refugee Council (on behalf of DACAAR). Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates (please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies). The position will be placed at level B1.Availability: January 2010Application and CV Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. “CV-only applications” will not be considered. We only accept applications sent via our on-line system on www.drc.dk under Vacancies/Current Vacancies/Chief of Rural Development Programme. Please remember to include a letter of application and your CV.Please send your application, in English and marked “DACAAR Chief of RDP”, by email no later than Monday 9 November, 2009.Interviews are planned to take place in Copenhagen in week 48 or 49, 2009.Problems with on-line application?Please contact Anne Oxholm, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.