Dan Royal Job/Vacancies

GENERAL SUMMARY:
The expert on Agricultural Education Policy Design /Team Leader will assist the Deputy Ministry of Education /TVET Department and take the lead in the design and full description of a national framework
for Agricultural Vocational Education and Training. The national framework has to be designed in close collaboration and aligned with the initiatives developed by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAIL), the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOLSAMD), and the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation (MRRD). The Ministry of Education / TVET Department is the Lead Ministry for all types of TVET formal education programs, while the other Ministries offer short trainings in a variety of subjects. Since agricultural vocational training facilities in Afghanistan are scarce and will be so for the foreseeable future, the available upgraded practical training facilities in many provinces have to share by the various Ministries organizing vocational training courses in Agriculture.


The Netherlands accepted the role of Lead Donor in the process of rebuilding the Afghan Agricultural TVET system. To this end a project was jointly formulated by the Ministry of Education / TVET Department and the Netherlands Government. The Netherlands Government contracted Wageningen University and Research (WUR) to execute a substantial part of this project. The Expert in Agriculture Education Policy Design will therefore work in close contact and attune with the concurrently executed project by WUR on rebuilding the Afghan Agricultural Vocational Education & Training system with the Ministry of Education /TVET Department.


The Expert on Agricultural Education Policy Design Team Leader is a senior management position. The Expert provides day-to-day management support and leadership on a complex project with a diverse group of stakeholders, inter-related project teams, and several targeted outcomes that are critical to the project's success.

The Expert in Agriculture Education Policy Design is responsible for the following:

* In consultation with the stakeholders involved propose the structure of a National Framework for Agricultural TVET and work out a full description in a national policy document to be ratified by the Afghan Government, as well as a national implementation program which will allow multi-donor funding.

* Report to the WUR Chief Project Adviser for day to day matters, and periodically report and coordinate with the Chief of Party of the overall Project.

* Responsible for making the quarterly progress reports to The Asia FoundationStay in close contact and align activities with the WUR Chief Project Adviser.

* Represent the project at all levels and forums to stakeholders, including donors, the Afghan Government, project partners, and internal staff;

* Facilitate and support regular progress meetings, presentations, and reports to various donors and stakeholders;

* Provide day-to-day technical direction, leadership, and support to the project and its domain teams, including managing the project on a daily basis;

* Manage the project budget in order to achieve the project's objectives;

* Take the lead in responding to queries and support services required by Afghan partner organizations and donors;

* Plan and operationalize a documentation system and various databases that are a part of the project;

* Define and mitigate project issues and risks.

REQUIREMENTS:
* Degree in management or related fields;

* At least seven years of management or project operations experience;

* Experience in working with development agencies, large projects and their respective project management systems;

* Experience in managing teams, work plans, and budgets;

* Experience managing Afghan government reform or capacity-building programs; • Ability to introduce and negotiate change in a very traditional culture and come up with innovative solutions appropriate for the Afghan environment;

* Familiarity and expertise in change management and governance desired; agriculture experience is a plus;

* Some familiarity with The Asia Foundation and its programs in Afghanistan;

* Ability to lead and direct a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary project team;

* Excellent communication skills – both oral and in writing;

* Ability to get measurable results through a diverse team of national and international professionals;

* Good diplomatic and negotiating skills;

* Excellent English skills required, and Dari, and/or Pashto language skills preferred.

About The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations. Drawing on more than 55 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research. With a network of 19 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level.


Note: The incumbent is required to commit themselves for a minimum period of one year. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes with a detailed application letter and contact details, from the date of advertisement and no later than 20th March 2010 to The Asia Foundation office or to the email below. Only short listed candidates will be informed. Candidates will be short listed as the applications are received.
Mailing Address:

The Asia Foundation

(MAIL Project)

P.O Box 175

Kabul – Afghanistan
Email: