Closing date:

Capacity development advisor (disaster risk reduction)

City/location:
Kabul, require travels to provinces
Organization:
Civilian Technical Assistance Programme

This job posting has closed

Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA)

Afghanistan is a landlocked country with an area of 652,864 sq Km (ref.syb 08-09). The climate is mostly dry with extremes of cold winters and hot summers. Nature’s destructive patterns routinely affect and wreak havoc in the country. Earthquakes are frequent in northern parts of the country and often trigger devastating landslides. Flooding and mudslides are common, particularly in the spring when snow starts melting. Extreme winter conditions and avalanches are also a recurrent feature in the mountainous areas that make up approximately 63% of the country. In the last ten years Afghanistan has also been suffering a prolonged drought, which affects over 6 million Afghans mainly in the southern and eastern regions. Other common hazards include agricultural pests, such as caterpillars and locusts, and dust and sandstorms. More than 7.5 million people have been affected by disasters since the early 1980s. Wars and civil conflicts have led to adverse affect on the environment thus precipitating greater vulnerability and causing disproportionate levels of loss.

The institutional framework of Disaster Management for Afghanistan comprises a National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC), as the Apex body, chaired by the Second Vice President with participation of relevant ministries. The NDMC is the principal body for setting out national policy direction towards reducing risk of disasters through vulnerability reduction, and responding to emergency situations.

Members of the National Commission represent key sectors that have a critical in managing disasters. The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) is the principal executing body at national level acting as the Secretariat for the NDMC.

At province level, the Province level Disaster Management Committees /Commissions (PDMCs) acts as the counterpart to the National Commission. The PDMCs are the vital link between National disaster Management process and sub-national process at Province, District and local levels. As per the Article 15 of National Law on Disaster response, management and preparedness, PDMCs is headed by the Provincial Governor and supported by the representatives of concerned departments.

The district level implementing agencies are the lowest level formally registered administration. The District Administrator plays the lead coordinating role in heading the DDMC (District level Disaster Management Committee). As per Article 16 of National Law, DDMC is headed by the District Administrator, and supported by the allied government officials and respective community representatives. The District Development Assembly (DDA), Municipalities and other concerned agencies have to provide all the required support to DDMC

At local level the role of NGOs and especially the Community Development Councils (CDCs) role is important. These agencies are directly involved with development and emergency response activities with the community. Mainstreaming risk reduction in development and local governance programmes can best be achieved at the community level. Shuras and other community institutions – community based organizations, schools and health centres have the ability to reach out communities in need of assistance during disasters.

Early warning system is the core function of disaster management which alarm the communities as well as government authorities to take proper action before disaster occurs. For a strong early warning system, strong information system is needed in order to generate timely information through assessments, surveys, and research. Moreover, application of modern techniques produced by advanced and scientific research in the region and globally in mitigation of DRR is the need of hour. ANDMA is committed to formulate policies and strategies based on evidence and evidence is generated through data.

ANDMA is looking for a dynamic and result oriented Capacity Development Advisor - Disaster Risk Reduction to review the existing Laws/ Acts related to DRM and draft new Laws/ Acts on DRM as per the need of the country.

The Capacity Development Advisor - Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor will work under the supervision of the Director General ANDMA and will be part of the Senior Management of ANDMA and will perform the following role and responsibilities:

Nature and scope of assignment


This assignment involves supporting a government-led capacity development programme within the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA). Under the supervision of the Director General ANDMA, the successful candidate will provide technical advice, management support and technical inputs required to allow the ANDMA to achieve its objective of having sufficiently qualified and trained employees.

The successful applicant will be expected to work with and through his/her Afghan national counterpart, and to progressively transfer skills and responsibilities to them. This position does not involve management or line responsibilities.

Duties and responsibilities

Working with the Director of Preventative Unit as counterpart, managed and coordinated by the ANDMA General Director, with assistance from the CTAP Capacity Development team, and other relevant individuals, the Capacity Development Advisor - Disaster Risk Reduction will:

• Along with the Senior Management ANDMA, review existing Disaster Management Act/ Law, disaster management mechanisms and related policies of Afghanistan and that of the other relevant countries in the region, especially the landlocked and disaster prone countries in the region and its comparison;
• Review status of procedures for disaster/emergency response and preparedness and related materials of the country and countries from the region;
• Conduct consultations and dialogues with key actors (Government and non-government sectors) for drafting a pragmatic DM policy and institutional mechanism that will allow to mainstream DRR into development in Afghanistan;
• Review any other prevailing Laws to avoid duplications of responsibility and to draft a clear and specific DRM Law for Afghanistan;
• Examine the existing Committees and institutional mechanism at different levels to make it more effective and efficient including their Terms of References (ToR) and legal mandate;
• Incorporate the early warning strategy/ mechanism as part of the Disaster Management/ Risk Reduction Law/Act;
• Review modalities and purpose a mechanism to effectively use the National Emergency Fund;
• Along with the senior management, ANDMA, facilitate workshops regularly both at national and sub-national levels to share the DM/RR Law/ Act/ Policy and institutional mechanism, improvements to the Law/ Policy/ Act and finalize it on the basis of discussions and suggestions/ comments in the workshops; and
• Perform any other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the DG, ANDMA.

Deliverables

The deliverables of Capacity Development Advisor - Disaster Risk Reduction are:


• Review prevailing Laws to avoid duplications of responsibility and develop a clear and specific DRM Law for Afghanistan
• Complete the Incorporate early warning strategy/ mechanism as part of the Disaster Management/ Risk Reduction Law/Act;
• Review status of procedures for disaster/emergency response and preparedness and related materials of the country and countries from the region;
• Review modalities and purpose a mechanism to effectively use the National Emergency Fund;

Experience:

• 8 years total with at least 4 years relevant

Nationality:

• International

Gender:

• Any

Qualifications:

The successful candidate should have the following skills, experience and qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Law with at least five (5) years of relevant work experiences in the field of formulation/ drafting of Law/ Acts, etc.
• In depth understanding of the issues related to policy/ act formulation;
• Proven experience working with international agencies, and/or non-government agencies and/or government;

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the professional values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of ANDMA and Government of Afghanistan;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Treats all people specially women fairly without prejudice.

Knowledge Management and Learning:


• Promotes knowledge management in ANDMA and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; and
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues in general and DM Law/ Act, institutional mechanisms in particular.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:


• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting; and
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation and monitoring of Act/ Law formulation and its endorsement

Management and Leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with partners, focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
• Previous experience in under-developed, insecure or post-conflict environments a plus
• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto a plus

Afghan expatriates and nationals of countries in Afghanistan’s region are especially preferred for this position.

Afghan expatriates who currently hold MCP Employment Contract are not eligible to apply for CTAP Positions.

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