JOB DESCRIPTION #MD9102

Position:   Deputy Chief of Party, Afghanistan (7.2)
Afghanistan Higher Education project
Center for Global Education
 
Supervisor:   Chief of Party
 
Grade:   7
 
Starting Salary:   Within the Grade 7 salary range and commensurate with education & experience
 
Project Duration:   The duration of this project will be 04/01/2009 to 01/31/2011
 
Project Summary:   Founded in 1961, the Academy for Educational Development is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to solving critical social problems and building the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to become more self-sufficient. Since early 2006 AED has been implementing the Afghanistan Higher Education Project (HEP), a five year effort funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development to improve institutional administration and pre-service secondary teacher education at the country’ faculties of education and four-year teacher training institutions. Beginning in early 2009, HEP will extend its capacity development activities to Kabul Medical University and the Ministry of Public Health. Elements of the Medical Education Component of HEP will be medical curriculum reform; improvements to clinical rotations; redesign of student selection and placement; and instructional training for medical faculty.
 
Position Summary:   The Deputy Chief of Party for Medical Education(DCOP-ME) reports to the Chief of Party (COP) in Kabul and supervises senior technical staff (Afghan and expatriate) and, in coordination with the COP, maintains positive relationships and strong communication with USAID, the Ministry of Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Public Health, and collaborating institutions such as Kabul Medical University.

 
Essential Job Functions:   General Administrative Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the COP, the DCOP will work with project staff and implementing partners to oversee and advise all technical elements of program activities, including: curriculum reform; improvements to clinical rotations; redesign of student selection and placement; and instructional training for medical faculty. General administrative responsibilities include:
• Coordinating program activities according to the approved project work plan and in consultation with USAID and key stakeholders
• Providing technical input for key program activities
• Reviewing and revising approved work plans, timelines, and objectives for all project activities
• Ensuring effective collaboration across all project activities
• Managing the project’s small grants program
• Devising scopes of work for technical consultants required by the project
• Monitoring the performance of key program activities
• Overseeing all monitoring and evaluation efforts
• Tracking project deliverables and recommend steps to ensure targets are met
• Monitoring reporting requirements and review current reporting practices
• Drafting and submitting all quarterly and annual performance reports
• Providing regular updates to the Chief of Party and Project Manager

Technical Duties and Responsibilities:
The DCOP-ME is expected to ensure the quality and relevance of all activities related to the Medical Education component of HEP. This includes:
• Ensuring that HEP activities are aligned with the medical education needs of key stakeholder groups (medical students, medical faculty, medical university administrators, clinical rotation supervisors, and medical education specialists at the ministries)
• Coordinating dialogue and collaboration with project stakeholders, including donors, to ensure the relevance of HEP’s medical education activities
• Ensuring that HEP develops and facilitates innovative activities founded on a sound medical curriculum, modern instructional practices, practical training for students, and outcomes aligned with the public health needs of Afghanistan
• Communicating with key stakeholders to ensure that the selection and placement of medical students meets the national public health and health service delivery objectives of Afghanistan
• Ensuring that the impact of HEP’s medical education activities is monitored and evaluated
• Documenting “best practices” for medical education based on the lessons learned by HEP and other medical and health project implementers.


The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job.

 
Education:   Masters in one of the following or related fields: Health Ed. & Behavioral Science and Public Health required or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Doctorate preferred.
 
Experience:   10 year(s) of relevant experience required

Specific Knowledge Requirements:
• Graduate degree (doctorate preferred) in health education, medical school administration, public health, or related field
• Technical expertise in one or more of the project’s core technical areas (curriculum development, medical training and evaluation, medical student support services, clinical rotations, student selection and placement)
• Demonstrated leadership in project management, monitoring, and evaluation
• Minimum of five years of relevant work in a medical school or similar environment
• Minimum of five years of international work experience
•

 
Special Requirements:   This job will require a criminal background check.
 
Skills:   • Cultural sensitivity and understanding of diverse societies
• Excellent communication skills, including fluency in English
• Prior experience working with/implementing USAID and donor-funded activities
• Prior work on medical education curriculum and/or medical student support in a developing country
• Prior work experience in Afghanistan, Central or South Asia, or Islamic countries
• Experience in a conflict/post-conflict environments

 
Additional Information:  

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Will supervise senior technical staff of 5 to 6 people

Equipment To Be Used:
Not Applicable

Typical Physical Demands:
Not Applicable

Working Conditions including Travel and Overtime:
• Secure residential and office compounds governed by strict security protocols
• Restricted movement in Kabul and limited travel outside of Kabul
• Group housing with other expatriate staff
• Unaccompanied post (no spouse or family at post)

 

Interested applicants should send resume with cover letter referencing position #MD9102 to: AED/HR, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; fax: (202) 884-8413 or email: employ@smtp.aed.org. For additional information, visit our website at http://www.aed.org.

We thank all individuals for their interest in AED, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Individuals responding to job postings are considered applicants if you meet the following criteria: (1) have expressed interest through the Internet, email or other related technologies, (2) are considered by the AED for a particular position, (3) possess the basic qualifications for the position and (4) do not at any point remove yourself from consideration.

AA/EOE/M/F/D/V