Afghanistan KCI Monthly Report: April 1-30, 2011

KCI assists the city staff in improving the level and quality of services provided, and increases the city's ability to generate its own revenues to fund increased services. Training is a key component of KCI's capacity-building efforts. In April, CLIN 1 designed surveys and collected data to assess municipal employee training needs. Over 500 surveys were collected from Districts 1, 2, and 9, as well as from the revenue department, and were entered into the training survey database. The Statement of Work (SOW) for the Afghan Civil Service Institute Training (ACSI) proposal writing training and project management training was reviewed, revised, and prepared for submission to USAID. The KM-KCI-Master Training Plan for the upcoming six months was developed, outlining training information by department, including training topic, list of participants, tentative dates, location, and duration. The plan will be presented to the Mayor during the first week of May. KCI awarded contracts for the initial English and computer trainings designed to prepare Kabul Municipality staff for participation in the Project Management Institute (PMI) training course. Compensation is another area of focus for KCI. A team from KCI and KM reviewed, revised, and standardized the existing job descriptions of the KM staff. Handwritten job descriptions received from the departments were subsequently typed, reviewed, and revised by the KCI/KM assigned team. Two computers and two printers were provided to the KM Advisory Board to expedite this process. As of the end of April, job descriptions for seven departments had been finalized, including All Director Generals, Urban Planning, Sanitation, Districts, Greenery, Cultural, and Market Control. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) activities were also completed in April. KCI completed the International Computer Driver's License (ICDL) assessment of KM staff and the ICDL training is tentatively scheduled to take place from the first week of June through October. KCI distributed 57 laptop computers and printers to the KM Advisory board. Purchase requests were issued for equipment for the Sanitation training centre and the Streets & Maintenance training centre, including computers, IT equipment, and furniture. Public outreach is an essential component of KCI's efforts. KCI meetings with the Government Media and Information Center (GMIC) and the Kabul Municipality were held to discuss the project's progress and future plans. The KCI team also conducted a survey of KM staff to assess their training needs and preferences. The survey results will be used to inform future training programs and ensure that they meet the needs of KM staff. The Saraye Shamali canal and roadside ditch cleaning project was completed in April, just days before significant rain storms hit the city. The cleaning of the ditch avoided substantial neighborhood flooding. Topographical surveys and designs have been completed for five parks, all of which will be out to bid in May and under construction in June. Over 25 kilometers of streets, divided into five projects, were identified, planned, and put out for bid in April.