Gender Officer

About AIRD/MRRD:

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) within the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Sector Strategy, contributes to the reduction of poverty through the establishment of good local governance, access to rural infrastructure, economic regeneration and the provision of a nationwide disaster and emergency preparedness system. This strategy, however, directly contributes to the achievement of Afghanistan’s Millennium Development Goals.

According to Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), Comprehensive rural Development (CRD) is prioritized as a core approach toward socio-economic development; CRD is a complex process of change in rural sub-systems leading to desired progress in rural welfare and improve rural life.  It is an approach, which not only includes economic change, but also requires development of human resources and social structure. Effective implementation of CRD requires intensive research activities and training to wide ranges of institutions from local level to various categories of government and non-governmental agencies.  Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) has decided to establish Afghanistan Institute of Rural Development (AIRD) as the national nodal/apex agency to act as think tank and capacity building arm of the MRRD.  Accordingly, AIRD re-established in 2006 and has started functioning since 2008.

AIRD is mandated to support the implementation of Comprehensive Rural Development toward socio-economic development and poverty alleviation in Afghanistan through providing training/education services, research and policy inputs and dissemination of results and findings to stakeholders. Additionally, AIRD is mandated to disseminate more accurate information and reliable knowledge regarding the current status of rural life in Afghanistan & better understanding of rural development process, its impacts, trends through continuous research and assessment to inform policy makers and concerned stakeholders. On the other hand, currently AIRD implement many research, information dissemination and capacity building projects and activities on national and sub-national level even on district level with financial support of some donor agencies to reach the mandates.

AIRD works under the Local Governance Pillar of MRRD and based on the strategic objectives, the current Organizational Structure of the Institute consists of five main sections including Training and Education Unit, Research and Policy Unit, Survey Unit, Information Dissemination Unit, Rural Technology Park Unit and Scholarship and Fellowship Management Unit. The entire mentioned sections are properly operated and at the time.

Nature and Scope of Assignment

To expand the gender activities of the institute in an evolving environment, a capable person who could formulate and manage the institute’s Gender activities and issues on the basis of the AIRD institutional vision and mission, taking into consideration all technical and logistical aspects in the context of current available resources and interests of all stakeholders. Therefore, the Gender officer is expected to be responsible for the identification and prioritization of taking care of the gender issues, capacity building trainings, design, develop, and coordinate all Gender issues with Sr.Capacity development specialist of the AIRD and its staff.

Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct an assessment of AIRD and MRRD’s female staff capacity building needs on gender and recommend the broad range of technical assistance required;
Based on the above, design, implement, and manage a gender capacity development program for AIRD/MRRD national and provincial staff.
Working with the Training and Education Unit of AIRD and ensure the development of gender training modules, manuals and other training materials for use in all gender trainings in coordination with the Training Unit;
Coordinate gender training efforts across all AIRD Units through a step-wise process: (i) prepare lists of all trainings conducted by Gender Officer; (ii) ensure that these trainings include gender sessions; (iii) customize gender training modules/materials for use by each component according to their specific area of work;
Develop budgets and plans for all capacity building workshops and activities on gender; 
Work as a team within the AIRD and with Heads of the Units to support other activities, promote institutional goals, and support the Gender Unit and Women Council of the MRRD.
Coordinate assigned gender equity and women’s empowerment activities for the Afghanistan Institute of Rural Development (AIRD).
Coordinate and support the Heads of the AIRD Units in all relevant activities.
Contribute to monthly, quarterly, annual reports, work-plans, and success stories as required by AIRD Management.
Travel to provinces, including South and East, to ensure successful delivery of trainings related to Gender and Women Empowerment issues.
The Gender Senior Officer will align all the Gender activities, trainings in accordance with the Gender Policy, Strategy of the MRRD Gender Unit and the Women’s’ Council of the MRRD.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of the AIRD.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Economics, Management or any other related fields; Master Degree is preferred.
4 years’ experience promoting women’s rights, equity, or access to justice;
Experience training government officials on gender awareness and equality issues;
Experience developing high-level curriculum and training materials, utilizing adult education and behavior change methodologies
Fluency in Pashto and Dari required; English is a plus
Prior experience working on MRRD programs preferred 
Excellent administrative skills
The ability to think creatively and be proactive in program management
Self-motivated and well organized
Ability to work collaboratively, supportively, and respectfully with others
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
Flexibility and willingness to travel to difficult environments to complete program assignments required

Reporting to: Director of AIRD

Submission Guideline:

Interested Afghans with the required qualifications and experience should submit their applications electronically through vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af
While submitting your applications please mention the Title of the position plus Vacancy Number in the subject of the e-mail; please do NOT submit any other supporting documentation or educational certificates with your application. If you are short listed you will be asked to submit electronic copies of your educational certificates and if you are invited to written test you will be required to present the original certificates. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of the position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for written test Note: In the interests of open and fair competition and a merit based selection process applicants are advised that lobbying for a position , whether by the applicant or by any person acting on his or her behalf, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate from further consideration. Applicants are strongly advised to inform potential supporters of this restriction which shall be strictly enforced.

Please don’t forget to type the Vacancy Announcement Number (1481/020/HRCSD/AIRD/MRRD) in Subject while applying online. Application without vacancy number will not be accepted. 

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is highly committed to increase women’s participation in government sector therefore women are highly encouraged to apply.

Submission Email:

vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af