Afghanistan: Director

BACKGROUND

The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) is Afghanistan’s leading independent policy-research organisation. AREU was formed in 2002 with a mission to conduct high quality research to inform and influence policy and practice. It seeks, therefore, not just to produce reports but to be part of a process of change that will significantly improve the quality, impact and accountability of reconstruction and development efforts in Afghanistan.

AREU’s research is primarily qualitative and involves extensive field work in urban and rural areas of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is facing major challenges with the transition of security responsibility, the departure of international military forces, recent elections, and a new government, as well as reduction of Official Development Assistance (ODA) levels. AREU will draw upon its extensive research experience to track emerging trends and critical issues during this period. The objective will be to generate policy discussions and recommendations targeted at both Afghan and international decision-makers.

In order to ensure that research findings influence policy, AREU invests heavily in communications and advocacy work, including publishing a wide range of research publications and briefing papers, participating in policy meetings, briefing key policy-makers, and disseminating information through national and international media as well as to stakeholders and beneficiaries across Afghanistan.

Since its formation in 2002, AREU has grown significantly. The organisation currently employs around 45 national and four international staff, as well as a number of short-term consultants. AREU has a Kabul-based Board of Directors with equal representation from multilateral organisations, bilateral donors and NGOs working in Afghanistan.

AREU is funded from a number of sources, but most significantly from the governments of Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as from the European Union, Overseas Development Institute, World Bank, Security Governance Group, United States Institute of Peace, Tetra Tech-WLD, War Child and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. As per AREU’s Strategic Plan for 2016-2018, its current operating budget is approximately USD $8 million for those three years.

AREU has been recognised as a top ten think-tank in Central Asia, according to an assessment conducted annually by the University of Pennsylvania.

More information on AREU is available on the website: www.areu.org.af.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The role of the AREU Director is to guide the overall strategic direction of AREU, and to oversee the work of four departments within the organisation: (1) Research; (2) Communications and Advocacy; (3) Operations/Administration; and (4) Finance, in order to achieve the organisation’s goals. Key to the Director’s responsibilities is representation, both in advocacy and media work for policy change, and for management of people, research programmes and financial resources. The Director will be expected to maintain excellent relationships with donors and other partners.

In addition to an understanding of the complex political and development challenges facing Afghanistan, the Director will be expected to demonstrate a clear vision of how AREU might respond to these according to the organisation’s mandate. The AREU Director is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and reports to AREU’s Board Chairperson or Co-Chairs.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Planning and Programme Development

Oversee the annual review and updating of the three-year strategic plan and related annual operating plans, in close collaboration with key managers and research staff; lead programming and development for AREU activities in line with these plans while exploring opportunities for growth within the constraints inherent in the operating context of Afghanistan; work with AREU research teams to identify priorities, develop ideas and support the formulation of projects; where relevant, develop partnerships with Afghan and international organisations.

2. Policy/Advocacy and Organisational Representation

Ensure that AREU maintains a constructive dialogue with government ministries and departments, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and the media, and other relevant actors in order to influence policy-making; represent AREU at relevant national and international meetings and conferences, and facilitate the presentation of research by other AREU staff, as appropriate; ensure that AREU’s activities have an appropriate level of media coverage (in print, on radio and TV) both nationally and internationally; work with the Communications and Advocacy team on dissemination strategies for research findings and publications, and ensure that these remain relevant to policy-makers and development practitioners in Afghanistan.

3. Organisational Management

Ensure that AREU’s operational practices meet the requirements of the programme and that effective procedures are in place to address constraints; ensure that all organisational activities conform to AREU policies and procedures; monitor the security situation and continually assess procedures to ensure staff security on an ongoing basis. Work with and oversee the administration and finance teams to ensure compliance with AREU and donor financial and grant requirements, including reporting; work with and oversee the finance team to strengthen budgeting and budget monitoring.

4. Human Resource Management and Staff Development

Ensure that AREU’s structure and practices meet the needs of AREU’s goals and programmes, through the timely recruitment of suitably-qualified staff; devise, secure funding for, and implement appropriate training and development plans aiming at developing the capacity of local staff, especially of local female and research staff; supervise and evaluate the performance of direct subordinates; ensure that appropriate systems and resources are in place to maintain staff development in an equitable and transparent manner; update AREU’s HR policies and ensure that they are followed and maintained, particularly in regard to gender balance and the support/development of national female staff.

5. Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Building

Engage partners, including research institutions, think tanks and universities (international and national) in policy discussions. Liaise on a regular basis with donors, and oversee and help in the formulation of timely and relevant funding proposals that are in line with the AREU Strategic Plan 2013-2015.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

A competitive salary for this position will be offered, taking into account experience and AREU’s overall salary scale and benefits package. Benefits include health and evacuation insurance, furnished housing, shared use of vehicles and drivers, 39 paid annual vacation days, an allowance for R&R travel, and a shipping allowance. Afghanistan is a non-family duty station.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

· A minimum of seven years of proven experience in project, people and budget management at a senior level, with at least four years of experience in the field of international development;

· Relevant academic qualifications (at minimum a Master’s degree is required, and preferably a PhD);

· Relevant research and research management experience at an international level (a record of authorship of research publications is required);

· A record of successful fundraising is highly desirable;

· Knowledge of/experience with qualitative research is required, and knowledge of/experience with quantitative research is desired;

· Strong team building and management skills, as well as strong communication/advocacy and representation skills, including excellent spoken and written English;

· Proven interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, including team building;

· Strong ethical track record with commitment to transparency and gender equality, as well as to the struggle against corruption and nepotism;

· Direct practical experience in Afghanistan would be a distinct advantage;

· Ability to work in fast-changing and politically sensitive environment;

· Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto would be beneficial but is not required;

· Willingness to make a minimum commitment of two years.