Job Announcement:

Vacancy No:           A- 133- 1386.

Job Title:                    REPORTING AND DONOR RELATION CONSULTANT

Organization:           Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

Duty station:          Kabul, with possible traveling to provinces .

No. of Post:            One Position.

Sex of subscriber:  Female and Male  candidates will be considered.

Announcing Date:   22- March 2008,

Closing Date:            02- April -2008.

Submission Email:  vacancy@aihrc.org.af,

 

AIHRC background:

 

From the Bonn Conference to the London Conference, the protection and the promotion of human rights in Afghanistan have always been a top priority in discussions involving the Afghan Government, the United Nations and the international community. Development cooperation agendas in Afghanistan all stress the need to establish democracy, stability, the rule of law and good governance in the country. These goals can not be reached without the promotion and protection of human rights of all Afghan citizens throughout the country.

 The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) is a permanent and independent national institution, with the mandate to protect, promote, monitor and investigate human rights throughout Afghanistan. It was established through a Presidential Decree in June 2002 and was included in the Afghan Constitution, which reads in its Article 58:

 The Commission's legal status was strengthened when the Law on the Structure, Duties and Mandate of the AIHRC was passed by Presidential Decree with Cabinet approval in May 2005. The law set out regulations regarding the structure, duties, authorities, responsibilities and mandate of the Commission, and also addressed the independence of the Commission including the appointment of Commissioners. The role of the Commission consists in fulfilling its mandate and in providing support, guidance and advice to the Government through reports, researches, awareness-raising efforts, and cooperation in outlining laws and national strategy plans.

 More recently, the Afghanistan Compact clearly defined the AIHRC's responsibilities in fulfilling the benchmarks set related to the promotion and protection of human rights, and expressed the commitment of the international community to further support AIHRC:  

By 1 April 2006, AIHRC successfully transitioned from a UNDP-administered project to direct bilateral relations with donors, with the approval of its donors and the United Nations. The Steering Committee gave way to a Project Committee including the United Nations, as well as donor and government representatives. The Project Committee overviews the implementation of the project in support of the Commission's three-year action plan (2006 -2008) and makes recommendations on the progress met by the AIHRC. In its efforts of transparency and accountability, the Commission has an accounting firm review its quarterly financial reports as well as regular audits in the future.

  

 Terms of Reference

 Post Summary:

 

The Reporting and Donor Relations Consultant will work with program staff of the AIHRC and coordinate with its senior management to ensure that the AIHRC fulfills its reporting requirements and obligations in a professional way.  This includes training of AIHRC staff from program officers through to Commissioners in the fundamentals of Results Based Management (RBM), supervising and editing donor reports, with a primary objective to achieve sufficient capacity within the AIHRC so that it is able to produce its own reports without need for external consultants.

In addition, the Consultant will serve as donor liaison officer and help build capacity of the national program officers on donor-related contacts and reporting.

 Organisational Relationships:

 The Consultant will be responsible for progress in reporting and donor relations and will be accountable to the senior management.  She/he will report directly to the Executive Director on a monthly basis and will work in close cooperation with the Finance Manager, the National Reporting Office (NRO) and the National Program Manager. Day to day working relationships will be primarily with the National Reporting Office (NRO) and National Program Manager.

  Description of Main Responsibilities:

 

• Capacity building of the NRO, particularly in the areas of information analysis, communication and report writing.
• Capacity building of program staff in the central as well as regional offices. Five training workshops of three days each to be conducted for program staff and managers from no later than April 2006 to take place in different AIHRC offices.  Workshops should relate to and build upon the training workshops provided in November 2005.
• Capacity building of senior management and Commissioners in Results Based Management (RBM), to enable them to more effectively provide feedback and guidance to program staff.
• Supporting NRO in planning for quarterly and annual reporting, including establishing standard operating procedures.
• Facilitating communication between AIRHC and donors in relation to reporting.
• Facilitate development of regular and cooperative working relationships between NRO and Database Management Unit (DMU).
• Advise DMU in its progress toward providing reliable statistics for the AIHRC.
• Advise National Program Manager regarding progress.
• Facilitate feedback from Commissioners and Executive Director, on monthly and quarterly reports, to National Program Manager.
• Effectively liaise with donors and develop capacity of program officers on donor relations.
• Effectively manage drafting, submission, and follow-up required for AIHRCs contractual obligations for donors, donor correspondence, organisation of donor events, and resource mobilization.
• Put efficient mechanisms in place for all donor-related contacts.
• Facilitate submission of reports and other information to donors as well as feedback from donors on reports.

         Facilitate drafting and submission of extension/payments requests to donors.

  

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

   Master's degree or other advanced degree in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, communications.

  Minimum 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience in writing, reporting, and related fields and previous experience in the implementation of information strategy and programs within an international development context. Previous working experience in advising national institutions such as the AIHRC will be a distinct advantage.

  Background in human rights issues a distinct advantage.

  Excellent understanding of and experience with results based management and reporting.

  Experience in Afghanistan is preferable, or comparable international experiences.

  Must be an excellent writer, editor, and communicator (English language).

  Must be capable of effectively using Word and Excel.

  Previous work experience in donor relations is desirable.

 Key Competencies:

   A self-starter, able to multitask and successfully balance and prioritise responsibilities: should also be detail-oriented, organised, timely, and meticulous.

  Must be a team player, with excellent ability to motivate, coordinate, and follow up with a wide range of people in a diplomatic manner.

  Good analytical ability, skill in developing sources for data collection, good database and computer skills.

  Ability to work under pressure and against deadlines.

  Able to assess and enhance capacity of staff in all aspects of reporting through on-the-job mentoring and support.

  Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment must be good at working with people with different backgrounds and with people with varying areas and levels of skill, committed to building strong relationships with colleagues and external partners.