Agriculture Development in Afghanistan

The objective of this transition project is to transfer organizational and individual functional capacity from externally funded programmes to the MAIL formal organizational structure. To accomplish this requires close coordination with a wide range of stakeholders, internal to MAIL’s technical and administrative structures (e.g., Human Resources, Finance) and other international donors supporting MAIL’s transition efforts. The project will focus on supporting the transition process of integrating the five EU-funded programmes into MAIL’s institutional organization, specifically:

  • Assisting MAIL’s Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs Directorate assume policy and programme, technical, and administrative responsibilities of the EU-funded programmes

  • Coordinating transition activities specific to the EU-funded agriculture programmes with MAIL and other donors,

  • Assuring the regularity of all the transition programme in MAIL, and

  • Advising the EU Delegation on specific technical matters related to structuring their budget support post-transition.

The structure and functioning of project management unit which will be in a position to assume the above-mentioned responsibilities should be proposed as an introduction to the expertise mobilized. This structure illustrated by an organigramme will take into consideration i) the external staff related to the five EU-funded agricultural programmes expected to be absorbed by the Project and than progressively transitioned to the MAIL Taskheel and ii) the expected need for National and International Technical Assistance. While the overall requirement for national and international expertise is left to the appreciation of the contractor, the following expertises is considered by the contracting authority and the Beneficiary (MAIL) as essential.

The Agricultural Statistics and Market information Adviser will be responsible for facilitating the operational transition of the EU-funded programme SAEMISS as per MAIL reform, strengthening of the MAIL Statistics department as well as developing a proper Public/Private Partnership to improve the accuracy and availability of Agricultural Statistics and Market information.

Qualifications: 

Qualifications and skills

The Agricultural Statistics and Market information expert should have at least a Post-graduate university degree in economics, statistics, sociology or equivalent discipline with a strong quantitative profile.

The expert should be fluent in English (written and spoken).

General professional experience

At least 10 years experience with a minimum of 5 years in the operational management of similar projects in at least 3 different developing countries, with at least one experience in Fragile States. Experience in another relevant connected field would be an advantage.

Specific professional experience

The expert should have specific experience in the following areas:

  • Proven record of efficient and effective management of large statistical survey projects involving the performance of a wide range of sequenced activities and the coordination of large group of co-workers;
  • Experience with implementation of international statistical standards in fragile statistical structures;
  • Experience in conducting statistical surveys (preferably in post-conflict and fragile states and/or in traditional/tribal/Muslim societies);
  • Proven ability to build capacity in statistical areas, both at institutional and at individual levels
  • Knowledge of international statistical standards;
  • Thorough understanding and experience in running nationwide household surveys and in overseeing the related core activities ranging from sampling methodologies, data collection, data processing and data analysis;
  • Experience in designing, conducting multi purpose household surveys and supervising field work;
  • Experience in sampling methodologies and weighting procedures;
  • Experience in training enumerators, in building and analysing poverty indicators, in using statistical packages, in data analysis and reporting;
  • Knowledge of best practices in monitoring development strategies;
  • Experience of leading a team at least during two years on a project;
  • He/she should demonstrate excellent communication and facilitation skills, with highly desirable (above working experience with extensive training / components), as well as training, capacity building and interpersonal skills including diplomacy, tact, and the ability to negotiate and build consensus;
  • Experience in Afghanistan or Central-Asia countries would be an advantage;
  • Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu would be an advantage.
Start / Duration: 

The intended start date is 1 November 2013 and the period of implementation of the contract will be 36 months from this date.

If you are interested to cooperte with AFC in this tender, please send you most recent CV to:

Barbara.Braun [at] afci.de

Thank you