The incumbent will undertake the following to ensure the success of the project:
- Support effective design and implementation of infrastructure activities in the ABADEI program
- Provide support in developing partnerships and ensure coordination with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders including UN agencies.
- Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the ABADEI program team
Support effective design and implementation of Infrastructure activities in the ABADEI program, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Take a lead in the identification of the infrastructure related activities;
- Conduct technical surveys and feasibility studies of the selected infrastructure projects. Prepare technical designs, including drawings, specifications, and Bill of Quantities and ensure International and National Standards/Norms (IBC) for quality and safety;
- Assume responsibility for the implementation of the established UNDP practices for Cash for Work activities, Social and Environmental Screening (SES) and GRM; provide quality assurance and compliance of the infrastructure related activities. Ensure designs/deliverables are compliant with scope of work and contract requirements;
- Ensure regular monitoring of the infrastructure projects and Report immediately the gaps or findings from activities in the ground to Supervisor and implementing partner/ contractor for resolving the issue;
- Assist in the preparation of the bidding documents and evaluation reports related to procurement; Assist in contract management.
Provide support in developing partnerships and ensure coordination with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders including UN agencies, focusing on achievement of the following:
- Support capacity building of local partners and implementing partners, organize relevant orientations and trainings for local partners.
- Identify potential organizations to engage with in the targeted areas and contribute to build a network.
- Act as the UNDP/ABADEI infrastructure focal person in the respective region to develop and support a coordination mechanism that allows to share information and to harmonize the work carried out by different partners.
- Provide engineering support to other projects and programmes in case of need.
- Support working relationships and create programmatic linkages with relevant UN Agencies and counterparts, as guided by the supervisor.
Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office
- Collect information related to infrastructure work and provide inputs for the preparation of substantive briefs and advocacy initiatives.
- Identify and document best practices and lessons learned from infrastructure interventions.
- Assist in producing publicity materials on infrastructure work including success and lessons learned.
- Promote exchanging ideas, lessons learned with respect to technical, social and considerations.
- Promote smooth work relationship at regional level, counterpart staff and other relevant bodies and report to direct Supervisor periodically.
- Writing technical reports as per UNDP approved formats.
Promote Gender-Responsive Infrastructure Design, Implementation, monitoring and reporting.
- Ensure designs and construction activities reflect the diverse needs of women, men, girls, boys, and persons with disabilities.
- Apply gender analysis during site assessments to identify accessibility, safety, and usability barriers for all genders, especially women and girls.
- Incorporate gender-sensitive features such as lighting, sanitation, and privacy elements in public infrastructure in consultation with women and girls.
- Innovate and apply gender lens based on the project’s comparative advantage, such as men engagement activities for Gender Equalities within the Project Scope.
- Conduct gender-awareness sessions, facilitate inclusive training, and promote safe feedback channels for women’s input and participation to ensure meaningful “Do No Harm”.
Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office
- Institutional Arrangement
The Technical Associate for Infrastructure will work in close coordination with the PMU team and be responsible for providing technical support to Infrastructure component. S/he works under the guidance and supervision of the respective Area Manager. The technical associate will also work closely with partners, UN Agencies, technical advisors and experts, and civil society to help implement infrastructure activities.
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results:LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineThink Innovatively:LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously:LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackAdapt with Agility:LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentEngage and Partner:LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsEnable Diversity and Inclusion:LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
- Digital & Innovation Data analysis Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making Partnership management Emerging partnerships Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships Information Management & Technology Solutions Architecture Ability to design and manage the Information system architecture supporting corporate business processes. Design integration strategies and approaches to integrate of one or more applications or services to maintain a coherent and effective IT architecture. Knowledge of ISO 20000 and IT operations. The Open Group TOGAF9 or Open CA, ITIL Master certification, or DevOps or similar certification desirable. Business Management Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
- Knowledge Generation Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.
- Knowledge Facilitation Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Education:
- High School Diploma with certification in Engineering, Economics, Social Sciences, Urban Planning and Development, Civil or Architecture Engineering.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Social Sciences, Urban Planning and Development, Civil or Architecture Engineering.
Experience:
- Minimum of six (06) years with High School Diploma or three (03) years with Bachelor Degree/High Engineering Diploma of relevant experience in designing, managing and providing technical oversight to infrastructure projects.
Required skills:
- Knowledge and familiarity with the region is a requirement
- Previous experience working at community level is required.
- Knowledge and familiarity with the region is a requirement
- Good analytical skills and writing skills.
- Knowledge and experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), including working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
Desired skills
- Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.
- Experience in civil works contract management is an asset.
- Knowledge and experience of result-based management and project implementation.
- Experience in the usage of construction and architecture software packages and web-based management systems
Required Language(s):
- Proficiency in English is required.
- Fluency in local language of duty station Dari and/or Pashto is required.
Interested applicants can apply by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their browsers to access the application for the post.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting the Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world3 with per capita income estimated at $360 in 2022, reversing all progress made since 2007. 85% of the population (29 million people) need humanitarian assistance in 2023.[1] As of December 2022, approximately 6.5 million people remain in internal displacement[2]. Almost half of the population - 18.9 million people - face emergency levels of food insecurity.[3]6 Even prior to August 2021, social protection support only reached 12.5 per cent of the population.[4]
UNDP is currently implementing the Transitional Country Programme Strategy (TCPS) 2024-2025. The Strategy will apply six implementation principles that focus on: (a) applying the triple nexus approach bringing together the humanitarian, development and peace mandates (b) promoting a whole-of-society approach; (c) maximizing a risk managed approach and synergies between programme and operations to facilitate delivery of support; (d) prioritizing the leave no one behind agenda; (e) investing in enhancing gender equality and (f) adhering to the fundamental postulate of ‘do no harm’.
In Afghanistan, UNDP works with international partners, the UN Country Team and national implementing partners to launch and deliver a comprehensive, risk-informed crisis response programme composed of interventions, inter alia, in the areas of socioeconomic resilience and recovery as well as maintenance of key health services.
An adaptive management and risk mitigation system have been put in place to assist the gradual roll-out and implementation of TCPS activities through continuous risk monitoring, learning, and adaptation loop. At the center of this system is envisaged an Integrated Risk Management Unit (IRMU) that continuously assesses and manages risks involved in the implementation of the ABP. This action-oriented capacity is meant not only to ensure a consistent “DO NO HARM” approach to UNDP’s intervention but also to support the agile adaptation of programmes in a continuously changing context.