Senior Advisor for the Minister (MOHE)

About UMASS - USWDP

Job Summary

With the changes in the leadership of the Ministry of Higher Education, the new Minister of Higher Education would like to undertake a review of the existing status of higher education, and based on the review findings set a cohesive and well-coordinated direction for Afghan Higher Education reform. The review aims at setting immediate to intermediate priorities which are well connected with long term development efforts of the Ministry of Higher Education.

Therefore, the Minister of Higher Education is willing to hire a Senior Adviser on Reforms and Donor Coordination Affairs to assist him in the most pressing and critical areas that need urgent interventions.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Senior Advisor will report to the DCoP AP and will perform the following duties:


Advise the Minister on Financial Autonomy efforts, update him on the progress, and seek his leadership support for the implementation of financial autonomy in public universities;

Support USWDP activities to become sustainable by providing needed Tashkeel positions and approve legalization such as for Associate Degrees;

Provide support to the Minister in donor coordination and set up a donor coordination working group on Afghan higher education;

Closely work with USWDP’s Senior International Advisor seconded to MoHE and Senior Academic Performance Coordinator on the strategic priorities of the Minister as well as supporting the implementation of USWDP activities in MoHE and 11 target universities;

Work closely with the International Senior Advisor to undertake a quick review of the existing literature including the National Higher Education Strategic Plan, the strategic development plans of the Government of Afghanistan, and the donors who are supporting Afghan higher education;

Work closely with International Senior Advisor to develop a document concerning the Minister’s Priority Implementation Framework and facilitate discussions with the leadership of MoHE. The document will include: objectives, action plan and assessment plan that address the following priorities;
i. National Curriculum Review and Revision
ii. Translation Centers
iii. University Ranking System
iv. University Entry Exam Review and Revision
v. E-Learning
vi. Market Drive Workforce Development
vii. Innovation/Creativity/Entrepreneurial Centers

Specific Deliverables:


Develop and provide summary note based on the literature review outlining the existing status of higher education. The summary note should also provide key recommendations for MoHE;

Develop Priority Implementation Framework, and write detailed narrative describing concrete strategies on how the Priority Implementation Framework can be utilized by the MoHE;

Support financial autonomy in at least four Kabul based universities;

Approve Tashkeel positions based on USWDP Tashkeel plan submitted to MoHE;

Support approval of legalization of five pilot Associate Degrees supported by USWDP.

Job Requirements

Doctorate Degree with 3 years’ relevant experience and/or Master Degree with 5 years’ relevant experience and/or a Bachelor Degree with 10 years’ relevant experience in Education, Economics, Management, Communication and other related areas from a recognized university.

Minimum 10 years of intensive experience in the development of Strategic Plans, Higher Education development and management. Experience must include faculty development, academic program development, teacher education and institutional capacity building, and change management.

Development experience and knowledge of higher education systems required. Experience working in the development context of Afghanistan is highly desirable.

Demonstrated strong analytical, managerial, leadership, communications and interpersonal skills are critical.

Excellent knowledge of English, local language skills in Dari/Pashto is highly desirable.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Knowledge of political and social features of Afghanistan and the issues involved in changing higher educational systems.

Submission Guideline

1. Please Indicate the position title, vacancy number in the subject line otherwise your application will not be considered.
2. Please include names and contacts for three references.
3. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

USWDP is an equal job opportunity employer and female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Functional Area

Programme

Countries

Submission Email

uswdp-jobs@uswdp.org

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