Sr. MIS Specialist

About WEE-RDP/MRRD:

The Government of Afghanistan (GoIRA) launched the Women’s Economic Empowerment National Priority Program (WEE-NPP) on March 8th, 2017. The WEE-NPP forms the third pillar of the GoIRA’s Gender Strategy which is encompassed in the broader Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) – the country’s five-year development plan. The WEE-NPP aims to build poor women’s capacity to strengthen the economy of their households, communities, and the entire nation. It is structured as an umbrella program (rather than a stand-alone project/operation) that would operate through over a dozen line ministries (through ongoing or pipeline projects) and coordinated through a Program Coordination Office (PCO) in the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD).

The Mission of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) is implementing the Women Economic Empowerment Program (WEE-RDP) to ensure the social, economic, and political well-beings of rural society, especially with the poor and vulnerable people, through the provision of basic services, strengthening local governance, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. MRRD accomplishes this mission through donor funded national programs (Citizen Charter, Sustainable Economy Growth and the Boarders Sustainable Development) defined as the MRRD pillars.                                

Women Economic Empowerment-Rural Development Project (WEE-RDP) is a flagship national initiative of the GoIRA and part of the Sustainable Economy Growth pillar of MRRD, which intends to increase social and economic empowerment of rural poor women in selected communities during a five year project. It would work in 5000 villages in all 34 provinces across Afghanistan in close collaboration with Citizen Charter (CC) and assuring convergence with other MRRD projects, NHLP project of MAIL, Access to Finance project (TUP) of World Bank, etc. The project will work closely work with Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and other stakeholders from financial sector to promote access to finance in selected rural areas.

Summary of Duties:

The Sr. MIS Specialist shall mainly be responsible for leading the Information Systems Software Development Team of MIS to ensure that information systems are developed and deployed in due time and the Systems meet standards for quality, functional and non-functional requirements. They shall be directly involved in requirement gathering, architecting, designing, coding, testing, fine tuning, security assessment and deployment (including training) of the Systems. In a team lead role, they shall load balance their assignment(s) across Information Systems Development Team to balance the workload and expedite project delivery. 

Job Description:

Detailed Description of the Assignment:

The Sr. MIS Specialist shall be responsible to carry out mainly the following tasks. However, he may be assigned to other tasks relevant to WEERDP in general and MIS in specific.

Lead the Information Systems Development Team of MIS – that includes but not limited to preparation of software project plans, delegation of tasks to team members, controlling the quality and progress of work, mentoring and coaching the Team; and reporting back to line manager.
Develop system documentations such as Software Specification Document (SSD) and Software Design Documents (SDD), as well as user manuals and training manuals.
Assess information needs of WEERDP from time to time and stakeholders and translate them into information system(s).
Develop new systems as and when required by WEERDP and/or relevant stakeholders.
Administer, maintain and troubleshoot WEERDP database(s). In addition, provide technical support to all relevant departments on WEERDP-Database.
Provide training to WEERDP staffs on the relevant information systems operation.
Ensure that necessary backup procedures for all WEERDP databases are in place and regular backups are taken.
Prepare user and technical manuals for information systems.
Provide technical support to regional MIS units.
Liaise with partner commercial banks, MoF and DAB regarding grants disbursement to community institutions such as SHGs and VSLAs and resolve any technical issues that arise during the disbursement process. Effectively liaise with expert staff from Government, World Bank / FAO and other stakeholders to ensure that the development is in line with project goals and requirements.
Provide technical support to reporting section of MIS as and when required.
Provide managerial support to Head of MIS in case they are out of office or additional support is needed.
Provide support as and when required for all IT related activities, which would include security audits, hardware procurement and sizing etc.

Job Requirements:

Academic Qualifications/Technical skills required:

Must: Proven IT/Software Project Management skills.
Must: Sound experience in .NET/.NET Core programming using C#, and ASP.Net (MVC), JavaScript, JQuery, Agularjs/Angular, HTML, CSS.
Must: Strong Microsoft SQL Server skills (Database development and administration plus additional services−SSRS and SSIS, SSAS).
Must: proficient in data modelling and design.
Must: proficient information system architecture, design and development.
Highly preferred: Restful application development using Web API/ WCF Services.
Highly preferred: Android/iOS application development and optionally Xamarin experience
Highly preferred: Cloud Application Development/administration using Microsoft Azure and/or AWS EC2.
Highly preferred: Security expertise: system security, cyber security and network security.

Soft skills required

Proficient in management : planning, controlling, team building, leading and reporting
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
Proactive and self-starter.
Cooperative and ready to go the extra mile in assignments accomplishment.
Be ready to assume responsibility.
Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English and Pashto/Dari.

Qualification Requirements:

Having at least master degree or its equivalent degree with 5 years’ working experience or having Bachelor’s Degree with 7 years’ experience in the related fields.
Worked with Government and an international or national NGO in the similar position is required.
Project management experience in managerial/team lead role is required.
Good written and verbal communication skills in English, Dari and Pashto essential and as well as having good interpersonal skills.
Computer skills, MS office and Excel, ability to type in English and Dari.
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team, proactive with good problem-solving skills, has the ability to interact with a wide range of people.

Female candidates are strongly preferred.

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 (1221/019/HRCSD/WEE-RDP/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