Established in August 2002, WADAN is an indigenous, government registered NGO. We undertake community and institutional development, civic education, education, drug control, human rights, anti-corruption, protection, livelihood and child protection initiatives. Headquartered in Kabul, WADAN has offices in provinces that provide national coverage.

For details please visit our website at www.wadan.org

The 2015 Afghanistan National Drug Use Survey (ANDUS)1 indicated that 11% of the country population (2.9 to 3.5 million people) were tested positive for narcotic drugs.  Furthermore, around 690,000 ‐ 850,000 females used drugs in Afghanistan. Sub-programme 3 of UNODC country Programme for Afghanistan aims at addressing drug use, drug use disorders and related HIV/AIDS and other co- morbidities as part of the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, female drug users and populations in closed settings.

Drug dependence is considered as a multi‐factorial health disorder that often follows the course of a relapsing and remitting chronic disease.  To address drug use, and its related disorders, it is necessary to adopt a multifaceted treatment approach taking  into  account  the  health,  socioeconomic,  and  security  implications  of drug use.

An effective drug treatment program should contain quality drug treatment services with particular  focus  on physical, mental, social, psychological, and economic wellbeing and should facilitate recovery and re‐integration to families and communities. 

In order to improve treatment outcomes, prevent relapse and ensure successful integration into society, drug dependence must not be treated in isolation; instead,  the wider context in which drug use and  recovery take place must also be considered and addressed (sustained recovery management).  Currently, drug  treatment  centres  in  Afghanistan  are  providing a range of services including  detoxification, rehabilitation, medication. After care, including recovery and social re‐integration services, is not available. 

In order to protect recovering drug users from social  exclusion,  stigma,  discrimination  and  support  their integration  to  families  and  communities  as  well  as  to  prevent  them  from  relapse,  it  is  crucial  to  provide opportunities and tools that will help improve the individual resources required to achieve social reintegration though employment. 

Employment is a key protective factor against social exclusion, as it can provide financial means, increase social networks, be associated with certain rights (e.g. access to free healthcare). Evidence shows that recovering drug users who are employed usually respond well to substance abuse treatment. Employment also helps moderate the occurrence and severity of relapse to addiction2. In addition, the benefits of being in (paid) work can include a sense of responsibility and contribution to society; a sense of  self‐worth  and  confidence;  a  new  source  of identity; a new social network of non‐drug users; and a daily routine that is not focused on the procurement of drugs.

From 2023, UNODC through partners organization has been implementing an EU-funded project in collaboration with WHO to ensure successful integration of people who use drugs at recovery to their families and society by supporting four vocational skills training programmes in Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Helmand, Farah and Nangarhar provinces.

To ensure sustained recovery and prevent relapse, VST graduates require strong support systems for employment, income generation, market linkage, private-sector partnership, and family/community reintegration. This consultancy aims to review the existing VST programme and recommend improvements for its effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with labour market needs.

Objective of the Assignment:

The purpose of this assignment is to carefully review the existing Vocational Skill Training Program (VSTP) under the EU-funded project and come up with recommendations and suggestions for further development and quality improvement of the program.

The consultant should review and strengthen the Vocational Skills Training (VST) Programme, with a strong focus on socio-economic reintegration, job placement opportunities, private-sector partnerships, and market linkages for VST graduates.

Summary of Key Functions:

• To review the overall design, implementation, and approaches of the current vocational skill training program under EU-funded project; focusing on establishing partnership with the private businesses and corporates in the country and come up with recommendations for improvement.
• To develop/ amend the existing training curriculums in accordance with the agreements signed with the partners and donor’s requirements.
• To develop an implementation strategy and guidelines for vocational skills training program. This should be done through the collection and analysis of field information, and desk review of the existing practices in Afghanistan and developing countries contest – including VSTP sustainability plan.
• To conduct market assessment/analysis and map formal and informal job opportunities relevant to the VST program kills .
• To develop a job-placement mechanism (e.g., referral system, job-matching process).
• To facilitate linkages and collaboration with the relevant entities working in vocational skills training programs, for example private corporate houses and implementing partners, and UNODC as needed
• To provide recommendations for apprenticeship and partnership models with private companies; internship agreements, collaboration MoUs, skill-development sponsorships and joint production or supply-chain integration
• To lead development of Public Private partnership strategy/protocol, and planning for the sustainability of the program - and to identify industries/sectors with hiring potential for VST graduates.
• To develop a branding and packaging concept for products of VST graduates.
• To develop a post-graduation follow-up system to track employment outcomes, income generation, and reintegration progress.
• To review and revise the existing reporting formats, monitoring tools in line with the project/donors’ requirements.
• To develop a plan and advocacy initiatives for the employment to support the recovered individuals who completed VSTP.
• To come up with a marketing plan and policy for the small business and products of the recovered individuals who completed the VSTP.
•  To review the project implementation progress and make recommendations for further development and improvement of the quality of the program.
• To organize field visits and conduct assessments, in order to collect the data and information needed for completion of the assigned tasks.

Academic Qualifications:

• Higher education in relevant field (Business administration, social science etc). Master’s degree with five years relevant experience or Bachler degree in relevant programs with seven years of experience  

Experience:

• Demonstrate prior experience in developing vocational and job skills opportunities for vulnerable groups.
• Have a good understanding of the context of drug use in the country.
• Have at least five (5) years of experience in strategic planning, public advocacy, vocational training, business development, public-private partnership, entrepreneurship and capacity building development.
• Good command of spoken and written English is required.
• Excellent command of spoken and written relevant national languages (Dari/Pashto) is desirable.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
• Experience in vocational training, and development initiatives for vulnerable populations.
• Experience in business model, public private partnership, and marketing research.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; Computer skills (Word, Excel and Power Point).
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Excellent analytical/conceptual thinking
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills

Confidentiality, Safeguarding, PSEA, and Ethics

• Fully respect the dignity, privacy, and rights of all families and children.
• Protect personal and program information, sharing only with authorized staff.
• Demonstrate commitment to the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and adhere to a zero-tolerance policy.
• Uphold Child Safeguarding principles and prevent any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Report any concerns, incidents, or suspicious behavior promptly through WADAN reporting mechanisms.
• Comply with all WADAN safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, and ethical guidelines and policies.

WADAN is accepting applications from interested individuals.  If you are interested in being considered, please submit your CV and cover letter via (jobs@wadan.org) noting the position title in the subject line i.e., “ National Consultant W-0209” or your application will not be considered. Only short-listed individuals will be contacted for the written test and after that for an interview. If you are not contacted TWO or THREE WEEKS after the closing date, please know that your application has not been successful for the post.

When applying, please rename your CV with your full name e.g. Omid Ahmadi Otherwise, the system will not accept your application.

توجه: هنگام ارسال درخواست، لطفاً  (سی وی) خود را با نام کاملتان (مثلاً امید احمدی) تغییر نام دهید. در غیر این صورت، سیستم  (درخواست) شما را قبول نخواهد کرد
یادونه: د غوښتنلیک سپارلو پر مهال، مهرباني وکړئ خپل سی وي د خپل بشپړ نوم سره ونوموی (لکه، امید احمدی ). که نه، سیسټم به ستاسو غوښتنلیک ونه مني