Afghanistan: Institutional Development Advisor (IDA), Afghanistan Justice Training Transition Program (JTTP)

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.

To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLOnews.

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The Afghanistan Justice Training Transition Program (JTTP) is a multi-year, U.S. Government funded program. It began in January 2013, with an official launch in March 2013 in partnership with the Afghan Government, including the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the Ministry of Interior (MOI), the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), and the Supreme Court (SC). It was designed to build the capacity of Afghan criminal justice sector professionals through training and coaching, while at the same time incorporating a sustainability element that provides for transitioning responsibility for training and building continuing professional development systems to in-service capacity development structures of the target Afghan institutions.

Building on the successes in establishing the foundation of institutional continuing professional development, the JTTP follow-on program aims to support ongoing development of institutional capacity to manage and build technical competence of personnel, so to consolidate the results achieved to date, further develop enabling conditions to support entrenchment of continuing professional development and continue to support the institutions and their training and capacity development departments by filling residual knowledge and skills gaps not yet addressed or emerged.

THE POSITION

Under the supervision of the Chief of Party (COP) and leading a Team of National Institutional Advisors, the internationally-recruited Institutional Development Advisor (IDA) will play a central role in the Program’s efforts to build robust, sustainable and independent capacity within the in-service capacity development structures of the partner institutions (Supreme Court, Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior) and will support the program’s strategy to professionalize them.

The Institutional Development Advisor will also have a key role in effectively contributing to and coordinating the information flow within different teams both internally to IDLO and across IDLO programs but most importantly in making sure the engagement of the stakeholders to the transition process remains strong, and that the partner institutions are fully involved and informed.

S/he will have proven track records in institution building, engaging in continuing professional development, performance management, capacity building, coaching and training, including conducting needs assessments, develop strategies and policies, training evaluations, reporting and develop effective work plans.

She/he will need to bring enthusiasm, a dependable attitude, the ability to mentor colleagues, and have the flexibility to participate in a wide variety of tasks. Sensitivity to political, cultural and religious issues surrounding Afghanistan is essential to the success of this position.

S/he will have the knowledge and strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a multi–cultural team and foster relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

The position will be based in Kabul and may require travels within Afghanistan.

The main duties and responsibilities will be:

Relationship management:

• Manage collaborative relationships with senior personnel of the partner justice institutions and other relevant stakeholders to ensure clear communications and harmonization of programming; *Foster inter-departmental cooperation and communication within the justice institutions and among the in-service capacity development structures;

Strategic support to institutions:

• Provide strategic technical and advisory support to justice institutions to support enabling conditions for sustainable continuing professional development;

Operational support to institutions:

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  In cooperation with a team of national advisors, facilitate institutional training, coaching and advise in-service capacity development structure staff;

  
  


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  Facilitate administration of performance management and capacity assessments as well as performance monitoring to identify needs for training interventions;

  
  


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  Support the in-service capacity development structures in developing and executing realistic resource and work plans and monitoring them;

  
  

Program implementation and administration:

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  Coach and provide assistance to the assigned teams to ensure the smooth running of day-to-day operations and to support them in achieving the expected results in line with the agreed timelines and to high quality standards;

  
  


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  Take the lead in the design and development of impact-oriented interventions, develop work plans, monitor results, advise on deviations and suggest mitigating strategies, plan resources needs, forecast and monitor expenses;

  
  


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  Proactively share information within the program at large and across IDLO, including by ensuring timely and quality submission of agreed reports and provide inputs as requested;

  
  


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  Liaise with the Program’s M&E Department and other Program Teams as relevant; and

  
  


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  Perform other activities and tasks as necessary to supplement transition efforts and any other relevant tasks that may be assigned by the Chief of Party.

  
  

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education

• Degree in Law, preferably at postgraduate level.

Experience

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  Minimum of 10 years of legal experience.

  
  


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  Minimum five years of experience in institution and capacity building, preferably in post-conflict development programs and legal reform in developing countries;

  
  


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  Experience in successfully handing over development projects to local counterparts in a sustainable manner is a plus;

  
  


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  Good understanding of Islamic principles and experience in working in an Islamic context;

  
  


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  Excellent team building skills and group facilitation skills, communications, information sharing and cultural sensitivity;

  
  


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  Proven experience in working and dealing with Government Departments, Ministries and high-level officials;

  
  


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  A demonstrated ability to manage relationships with and provide trusted advice to senior-levels Afghan justice institution personnel, especially within the AGO and MOJ, would be strongly preferred;

  
  


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  Excellent oral and written communication skills, including reporting;

  
  


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  Experience working in Afghanistan is an advantage as is previous experience in US-funded programs or projects.

  
  

Language

• Strong professional oral and writing skills in English;


• Knowledge and understanding of local languages such as Dari and Pashto are a distinct advantage.

Technical competencies

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  Excellent analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills;

  
  


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  Proven ability to develop and foster working relationships across a globally based organization;

  
  


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  Demonstrated ability to effectively use computer and Microsoft office programs and other electronic sources in research activities.

  
  

Behavioural competencies

• Good team player, positive attitude, flexible mind, comfortable in working in multi-cultural settings;


• Openness to change and ability to work in transitional and complex organizational situations;


• Willingness to work and live in a post-conflict environment, adhere to IDLO’s security policies and regulations at all times;


• Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to IDLO’s mandate.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

IDLO offers international consultants based in Afghanistan a competitive remuneration and benefits package in terms of salary, medical and accident insurance, post-conflict insurance, annual leave, sick-leave, home-leave as well as rest and recuperation leave (R&R).

The Program runs a five-day working week from Sunday to Thursday. In Kabul, accommodation, cleaning, laundry and meals are provided in a pleasant, secure guesthouse with a small gym, good internet connection and an excellent chef in residence. Rigorous security is in place at all times. This is a non-family duty station.