Sr. Saemaul Undong Model Implementation 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 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.

About SMU:

The Saemaul Undong, also known as the, New Village Movement, was launched on April 22, 1970 by South Korean president Park Chung-hee to modernize the rural South Korean economy. The idea was based on the Korean traditional communalism, which provided the rules for self-governance and cooperation in traditional Korean communities. The movement initially sought to rectify the growing disparity of the standard of living between the nation's urban centers, which were rapidly industrializing, and the small villages, which continued to be mired in poverty. Diligence, self-help and collaboration were the slogans to encourage community members to participate in the development process. 

Saemaul Undong Movement has been spread throughout the world during the past few years. So many developing countries have visited Korea to find out what Saemaul Undong Movement is, considering it as a successful model to develop communities in the developing countries.

After long discussion and evaluation, MRRD has decided to integrate and customize this model according to the culture, tradition and social, in the context of rural development of Afghanistan, by using effective awareness for rural community development in order to boost their incomes and life well-being. In this regard, MRRD signed MOU in a framework that a number of government officials from different departments were assigned to learn Saemaul Undong Model in South Korea and practice this model in the context of Rural Development of Afghanistan.

Job Description:

Duties & Responsibilities:

Working as a member of teams under the guidance and report to the SMU/AIRD Sr. Capacity development specialist

Develop and initiate new ideas based on SMU goals
Under the supervision of the SMU/AIRD Director  General and Sr. Capacity development specialist, develop monitoring, managing, and evaluating SMU Project;
Liaises with SMU Working Committee and Stakeholders on issues of project development and management;
Conduct community based need assessment, analysis and report the finding
Participates all kinds of meetings and prepare minutes of meeting;

Incorporates, at the project design stage, plans for dissemination and utilization of SMU project results;
Develop partnerships with other funding agencies to support SMU project activities;
Prepares SMU project documents for approval;
Provides technical supervision, including analysis of interim reports, participation in workshops, literature searches, identification and administration of resource persons/consultants in support of SMU projects;
Assists in coordinating the SMU Project activities between KOICA and MRRD;

Works and contributes within the SMU working committees structure that guides the formulation and development of the SMU program strategy and related project portfolio;

Plans and manages project evaluations; with the SMU-M&E-WC;
Prepares SMU Activities reports when requires;

Indirectly supervises Jr. Staff and assist with the administration of a SMU Initiatives projects;

Prepare operational plan/implementation and training guideline;
Customize SMU Training Modules and Manual according to Afghanistan culture
Develop key performance indicators for survey/village assessment;
Conduct villages need assessment/survey;
Analyze the data and categorize the finding to five livelihood elements (Human Capital, Social Capital, Natural Capital, Financial Capital and Physical Capitals) and facilitate the communities to list their projects and prioritize it;
Educational Schedule for under cover area of SMU with coordination of Training unit;
Any other duties maybe assigned by the Sr. Capacity development specialist of SMU;

Job Requirements:

Experience, Skills and Qualifications Required:

Abilities and Skills:

Good spoken English language fluent in Dari or Pashto
Good Computer Skills: Ms. Office. Designing, multiple internet tools
Good leadership skills and problem solving
Ability to work under pressures
Good command of ethics and organization behavior
Ability to write proposal
Knowledge and Practice of SMU

Personal Attributes

The applicant must also demonstrate the following personal attributes:
- be honest and trustworthy
- be respectful
- possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
- be flexible
- demonstrate sound work

Education:

Have Bachelor Degree in Social Science or Public Administration Specialization in Samauel Undong Movement Master’s degree is preference.

Experience:

5 years of Experience in (Government, International NGOs, Program or Projects)

Work experience with communities, social works and development activities

Reporting To: Sr. Capacity development specialist

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 (1473/020/HRCSD/AIRD/MRRD) in Subject while applying online. Application without vacancy number will not be accepted.

Submission Email:

vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af