DEPUTY DIRECTOR

BACKGROUND

The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) is a Kabul-based independent research think tank established in 2002 with the assistance of the international community in Afghanistan. AREU’s mission is to inform policy and practice by conducting high-quality, evidence-based research and actively disseminating the results, and promoting a culture of research and learning.

Reporting line and Supervision

The Deputy Director will directly work under the AREU Director’s supervision and reports frequently to the director on his/her actions.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Research

• Creating concept papers, proposals and budgets for funding
• Meeting donors, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss research ideas

• Overseeing the development, management, and monitoring of activity budgets as needed (among research teams or with program managers/coordinators)
• Providing support to research operations and liaising with other researchers at AREU to ensure institutional learning and communication across research projects

• Assisting and providing inputs to C & A team as they develop communications strategies for research studies
• Ensuring research findings and write-ups are relevant to the concerns of AREU’s target audiences, particularly policymakers and development practitioners

• Developing and maintaining links with other research organizations in Afghanistan
• Commenting and providing input on draft papers produced by research and on internal concept notes
• Providing input into annual and strategic plans and quarterly reports

Communications & Advocacy

• Representing AREU externally, communicating relevant research findings at meetings with external actors (government, UN, donors, NGOs, academia, media)

• Participate in external meetings of relevance to AREU’s work.
• Work with members of the C&A team to develop and carry out dissemination strategies for findings publications.
• Review and comment on draft papers and other outputs of research to help ensure quality and accuracy with respect to content, and to ensure that research findings and publications meet the needs of AREU’s target audiences.
• Prepare an annual departmental work plan and budget, in coordination with other AREU departments.

Donor Relations

• Collaborating with the Research Manager to define the programme’s scope and direction, as well as to develop the conceptual and methodological frameworks and detailed implementation plans for AREU’s  proposed studies;
• Ensuring compliance with donor contractual requirements and timely submission of donor reports;
• Finalising the draft quarterly reports for the organization
• Writing or contributing to narrative progress reports for donors and the AREU Board
• Working closely with project focal points to increase their engagement on forthcoming opportunities with AREU’s existing and potential donors;
• In consultation with technical colleagues in the research department, writing core funding and project proposals; following up on discussions/meetings/proposals, submitting and ensuring that AREU complied with relevant requirements, and identifying/drafting high-quality proposals;
• Conducting full programmatic inventory of all ongoing research projects – both core-funded and those funded by individual project donors and systematizing the submission of technical and financial reports;
• Preparing the annual report for the organization’s core donor(s) and its shorter version;

• Liaising with the Finance and Administration Department to ensure that correct procedures are followed in sending invoices to donors and acting as the AREU focal point for finance-related communication

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• An advanced Master Degree in the social sciences or a related discipline is required (PhD in a relevant field is desirable);
• At least five years of field research/research and program management experience in developing country contexts, particularly using qualitative methodologies, in terms of both design and implementation;
• At least five years of the project, people and budget management experience;
• A publication record in both academic and policy-oriented outlets;
• Experience in representing an organization, and delivering presentations;
• Previous exposure to research work and donor relations especially familiarity with donor reporting requirements;
• Proposal and narrative report writing experience;
• Excellent oral communications skills in English;
• Ability to write well in English for an audience of policy-makers and practitioners;
• Good mentoring and training skills;

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment.

• Experience of working in an Islamic and/or conflict/post-conflict and/or South Asian or Central Asian context.(highly desirable)
• Extensive knowledge of and familiarity with the current policy environment in Afghanistan, including the work of government institutions, donors, NGO, media, and other members of civil society.

LOCATION & Working Hours

• The position is based in Kabul but may require some travel in provincial areas and abroad.
• Working hours for this post need to be flexible and require full-time dedication and extra working hours due to deadlines and project commitments.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary for this position will be determined commensurate with experience, taking into consideration AREU’s overall salary scales.

CLOSING DATE AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a deadline of 30 June 2022.

Please apply by sending a CV/resume and a cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the skills and experience in the qualifications above to [email protected]. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Women are highly encouraged to apply.