UNDP has administered the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) and supported the payment of salaries of the Afghan National Police (ANP) personnel, the institutional development of the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOIA), and police professionalization of the ANP since 2002. Based on consultations conducted in 2017, a growing view emerged that the scope of LOTFA should be expanded to include the entire justice chain (police, courts and corrections) and cover all institutions across the entire Rule of Law sector, with an increased focus on anti-corruption. Accordingly, the LOTFA Steering Committee approved a new Trust Fund Terms of Reference (TOR) with four Thematic Windows: 1) Security, 2) Justice, 3) Anti-Corruption, and 4) MOIA Payroll.
The Security Window is LOTFA’s largest programme window given the volume of programmatic resources, the total number of projects, as well as the range of programmatic areas it supports from community and urban security policing services to public administration reform in MOIA. Under the Security Window, new projects are currently being designed and developed in alignment with the national strategies, plans and policies and with the Fund’s Strategic Framework. Developing relevant projects under LOTFA which are relevant and impactful for the MOIA, the ANP and the community is of utmost importance given the changing security environment in Afghanistan.
A survey conducted in 2018 found that only 42.1% of Afghans view the ANP as being “honest and fair”, while 42% of respondents expressed “fear of encountering the Police”.
The survey results show that significant improvements are needed if the MOIA is to achieve the objective of transforming the ANP into a professional community-centered law enforcement agency using community policing as a critical methodology to refocus police priorities to provide community-police services.
Under the LOTFA Security Window, the Community-oriented Policing Services (COPS) project will builds and expands on proven methods of improving relations between police and local communities in Afghanistan with the objective to improve the delivery of police services at the community level. This is expected to improve security and security within communities, resulting in improved public trust towards the rule of law and security institutions. The project will initially focus on the Provincial Headquarters and Police Districts in Kabul.
The project is expected to achieve four outputs: (1) Improved capacity of Police Provincial Headquarters to lead and sustain reform; (2) Improved police response to community needs and priorities; (3) Constructed/rehabilitated standard Police Districts (PDs) to support community-oriented policing; (4) Improved administrative services at PD levels to support police services.
Under the overall supervision and guidance of the National Project Coordinator, The Community Outreach Coordinator is responsible for carrying out the functions and tasks as per this Terms of Reference (ToR).
Key Functions:
The Community Outreach Coordinator in collaboration with other project staff, administrative and operational units in the Ministry of Interior, Police-E-Mardumi (PeM), civil society organizations, other agencies and partners will perform following key functions:
1- Support MoIA in the development and implementation of comprehensive Community Safety outreach and Community strategic frameworks and action plans;
- Undertake full assessment of the community safety outreach and community sensitization initiatives implemented by various entities in support to MoIAs community police activity
- Undertake consultations and assessments on culturally acceptable and sensible community safety and security approaches that takes into consideration Afghanistan context
- Support MoIA/PeM in the development of comprehensive strategy for safety outreach and community sensitization initiatives in support to project objectives
- Support development of comprehensive two-year safety outreach plan including a monitoring framework based on developed CoP and CS framework and UNDP’s comparative advantages
- Participate in PeM monthly consultation meetings, seminars, and other exercises to develop plans/programs for implementation of community outreach and awareness activities and strengthen capacity of relevant MoIA department
- Maintain extensive knowledge of similar community outreach initiative undertaken to support safety and security, identify synergies, and discuss potential partnership
- In close coordination with MoIA counterparts work towards the implementation of Project AWP and RRF
2- Support MoIA in the implementation of the Community Safety outreach and sensitization initiative:
- Provide technical guidance and recommendations on implementation of community safety outreach and community sensitization and development activities within the AWP
- Support the publications of safety outreach materials through proper review of existing materials,
- Support training and capacity development initiatives for the designated MoIA staffs, Community members, PeM Councils to undertake safety outreach and community safety and security activities
- Engage more female police officers through Women Police Councils in community safety outreach and community safety activities
- Participate in relevant Working Groups to coordinate and collaborate in an effort to unify the supports for MoIA led Community police initiatives
- Provide support to MoIA in its public outreach and information campaigns to generate public supports for the initiatives
- Liaise regularly and works closely with project communication officer and MOIA communication department
3- Project Performance and Reporting:
- Draft concise weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports including achievements particularly in areas of community awareness and community outreach activities
- Develops, implements; regularly monitors and evaluates projects community outreach and safety security activities
- Review and analyze proposals and concept to be submitted to partners, donors and counterparts in the area of police service delivery and community outreach
- Working closely with UNDP CO communication team, drafting and publishing success stories
- Drafting monthly newsletters on community safety and security outreach initiative
- Contribute to the preparation of consolidated monthly, quarterly and annual analytical results-based progress reports in accordance with standards of UNDP
- Drafts formal proposals identifying areas of needs, including technical equipment, community policing training and/or specialist assistance.
- Liaises with other Missions and other relevant partners on community policing issues as required
- Ensures police accountability and gender aspects are fully included in all activities of the project;
- Performs other duties as required
Core
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Ability to persuade others to follow
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Technical/Functional
Functional Competencies:
- Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, internet, PP, database packages, etc. Experience with web-based management systems
- Ability to work with a wide cross-section of partners including Government, donors, I/NGOs and community-based organizations
- A team player and self-starter able to inspire and influence action
- Mature judgment combined with a proactive, resourceful and energetic approach to problem solving. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and strong organizational and time management skills
- Capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines
- Demonstrated behavior of professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness
- Willingness to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders, especially with primary stakeholders.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Sound judgment with proven ability to work effectively under minimum supervision
- Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner
- Knowledge and expertise in making presentations
Education:
- Master’s degree in community development, communication, social sciences or related field is required or a Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional qualifying years may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree
Experience:
- Three (3) years of relevant work experience in community outreach, community development, and communication is required
- Experience working with civil societies/NGOs and community councils and other government institutions is an asset
- Experience working with youth groups and women’s groups is an asset
- Experience working on gender issues, or working on women’s rights is an asset
- Experience in working with international agencies, NGOs, local Government in post conflict scenarios involving community participation, will be an asset
- Knowledge of best practices regarding community involvement in solving safety problems
- Knowledge and understanding of Afghan society and issues in Afghanistan
- Solid experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office incl. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required
- Fluency in Dari and/or Pashtu is required.
- Good report writing skills
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 09 Months with Possibility of extension