Kabul City Employees Earn International Certification

The primary objective of this initiative is to build the capacity of the municipal staff to more effectively deliver city services. To achieve this goal, KCI is assisting the municipality in its transition from a paper-based system to a computer-based system. A significant milestone in this initiative was the certification of 245 employees, representing 15% of the 1600-person workforce, in the International Computer Driving License (ICDL). These employees completed and passed tests on all four online modules, demonstrating their proficiency in operating the City's new computer systems. The ICDL is the certifying authority for the leading international computer skills certification program, delivered in 148 countries through a network of nationally appointed partners. The ICDL training course was delivered in Kabul by a local Afghan company subcontracted by KCI. The subcontractor's internationally certified ICDL instructors not only conducted the training but also administered a Training of Trainers (TOT) program, training eight Afghans as certified ICDL instructors. This ensures that the skills and knowledge gained through the ICDL program can be sustained and expanded within the municipality. The certification of municipal employees in ICDL has enabled them to operate and maintain the Financial Management Information System (FMIS) recently installed by KCI. The FMIS is compatible with the system used by the Ministry of Finance, and the budget staff are now able to produce the proposed budget on time and manage expenditures with the system. Additionally, the City's Human Resource database is now computerized, replacing the previous paper-based system. The success of the ICDL certification program has been extended to all 16 municipal departments, including Policy and Planning, Finance, Construction Control, Land Acquisition, Revenue, Internal Audit, Cultural Services, Urban Planning, Market Control, Road Construction, Parks and Sanitation. The certification of municipal employees in ICDL has enabled them to operate and maintain the City's new computer systems, enhancing their ability to deliver city services effectively.