Afghanistan: Advisor to PSU Manager

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Ministry of Finance

Request For Expressions of Interest (REoI) for Consultancy Services as Advisor to PSU Manager, CBR

Afghanistan

Capacity Building for Results Facility (CBR)

Loan No./Credit No./Grant No.: TF 011447-AF

Type: Individual Consultant (International)

Assignment Title: Advisor to PSU Manager

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): S-110

Issue Date: December 06, 2014

Closing Date: December 25, 2014

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Capacity Building for Results Facility and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The Capacity Building for Results Facility (CBR) now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services.

Capacity Building for Results Facility(CBR) Project, established in January 2012 for at least 5 years, aims to support the government’s effort to improve the capacity and performance of core line ministries responsible for national priority programs. The CBR project’s development objective is to assist the government in improving the capacity and performance of select line ministries in carrying out their mandates and delivering services to the Afghan people. This will be achieved through the implementation of specific capacity and institution building programs, which include systematic monitoring of and reporting on results. CBR is financed by the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), and facilitated by the World Bank.

Capacity Building For Results Facility (CBR) Project Support Unit (based in Directorate General of Budget) of the Ministry of Finance would like to recruit a qualified Advisor to PSU Manager for the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC) with the following duties and responsibilities:

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Summary of Key Functions:

CBR is seeking to recruit an International PSU Advisor for the IARCSC PSU to assist in the management, and provide guidance and technical support. The individual will be based in the IARCSC office in Kabul.

The Advisor is an international position and he/she will report directly to the IARCSCPSU Manager. He/she will be providing technical recommendations and suggestions on the strategic level to the PSU Manager and Deputy Manager to assist them in implementation of key components of CBR. The scope of this responsibility is principally strategic, that is, assisting the PSU Manager and his or her team in meeting expectations for strategic and program results (Development Objectives), and implementing operations according to agreed annual work plans (Implementation Progress). The Advisor would be assisting the PSU team in preparation of certain documents for proper implementation of the program.

The Advisor would be responsible for the following activities:

i. Assist the PSU Manager and his/her team in the preparation of CBR annual work plan, procurement plan and financial (budget) plan;

ii. Assist the team in implementation of the program and provide operational and strategy guidance during implementation;

iii. Support the PSU Manager guidance in oversight of progress on CBR project results indicators relevant to IARCSC and on a line ministry’s CBR Program proposal results frameworks in terms of validity of proposed performance plans and in terms of implementation after approval, including guidance on corrective measures.;

iv. Advice on the resource requirements of specific LMs for implementing their CBR Programs,;

v. Assist IARCSC Civil Service Management Dept. and provide advice for the management of IARCSC;

vi. Assist the PSU Manager to diagnose and resolve implementation problems with specific CBR Programs and the overall CBR program;

vii. Assist the PSU team in public outreach and awareness aspects regarding the CBR and its importance for the improvement of the public administration in the country.

Other Tasks:

· Any other tasks and responsibilities assigned by direct supervisor.

Reporting Relationship:

The Advisor will report directly to PSU Manager of CBR PSU in the Afghanistan Independent Reforms & Civil Service Commission (IARCSC). He/she will also work with IARCSC, as well as the Ministry of Finance.

Education, Experience and other required criteria:

· Have a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, General Management or any other field.

· Have at least 7 years experience in government, public administration, institutional organization and management, and/or “change management”;

· Have functioned as a team leader or acted as a team builder in the context of reform implementation or development of institutions of public administration, particularly in emerging country settings;

· Have successfully worked on tasks requiring consensus building and negotiations between parties;

· Have successfully worked and collaborated with international donor institutions, ideally to include areas of project design and implementation;

· Excellent reporting and presentation skills;

· Strong analytical and inter-personal skills;

· Be familiar with the current socio-political situation in Afghanistan;

· Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (oral, writing and speaking)