Project Manager (REALISE) - ActionAid Afghanistan (Apply by: 12 June 2014)

ActionAid International is a global federation committed to finding sustainable solutions to end poverty and injustice. With more than 40 national members and country programmes worldwide, ActionAid focuses its resources on working with millions of the poorest and most excluded women, men, girls and boys – taking sides with them, making long-term commitments to advance their human rights and to transform the world in which their children will grow up. ActionAid International is collectively governed by all its members, supported by an International Secretariat in Johannesburg. The Asia Regional Office is situated in Bangkok, Thailand, providing managerial, governance and technical support to eleven country programs across Asia, including Afghanistan. ActionAid’s worldwide work is guided by our international strategy document titled “People’s Action to End Poverty 2012-2017”, using a rights based approach to challenge unequal power relations that causes poverty and inequality.

ActionAid Afghanistan (AAAf), in collaboration with ActionAid Australia, has been selected as one of three international NGOs to implement the Australia Afghanistan Community Resilience Scheme (AACRS), an initiative of the Australian Government’s aid program (DFAT) to improve resilience and livelihoods for Afghan rural communities. ActionAid’s project is called Resilient Agriculture and Livelihoods Initiative for Socio-economic Empowerment(REALISE) and will be implemented in 97 rural communities in Jawzjan, Balkh and Bamyan provinces. REALISE aims to strengthen community resilience among vulnerable households by a) improving food and nutritional security, b) increasing their economic asset base and c) strengthening their engagement in influencing decision making, service provision and policies at village, district, provincial and national level. The project will run for four years and involve both direct implementation and work through local NGO partners.

Main roles and responsibility of the position: 

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the implementation of REALISE. and will be responsible for liaising with the AACRS Scheme Manager, other AACRS implementing partners and Afghan partner agencies, DFAT staff based in Kabul, the International Centre for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas, World Food Programme and government ministries such as MAIL and MRRD. The post will be based in the Kabul office, with occasional trips to the field, An Afghan Project Coordinator will work alongside the Project Manager and will travel frequently to the project sites. Frequent liaison with ActionAid Australia will also be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall coordination, management and delivery of REALISE within DFAT requirements and as per the approved design, implementation plan and budget.
• Ensure that the project meets the contractual obligations to DFAT, the Afghanistan government, AAI and other stakeholders as required.
• Work with the Project Coordinator and AAAf's Provincial Managers and Senior Management Team to ensure high quality programming.
• Ensure accurate and timely narrative and financial reporting to ActionAid Australia, in line with organisational and DFAT requirements.
• Ensure accurate plans and budgets are prepared and systematically used to monitor, review and evaluate progress.
• Manage performance of the Project Coordinator and M&E Officer and indirectly that of the Project Officers, providing the coaching and mentoring support needed to improve their performance.
• Document and advocate on policy demands related to right to food and sustainable livelihoods, drawing on the voices of people living in poverty at the rural level.
• Contribute to the achievement of the County Strategic Plan through the implementation of the REALISE project.
• Advance a Rights Based Approach, with high levels of transparency and accountability to both donors and communities.

We are seeking a person with a minimum of 5 years experience in the management of large scale institutional donor funded food security or similar projects, preferably in fragile or conflict affected states. A degree in agriculture, rural development or related fields is essential, with post-graduate qualifications preferred. The candidate should have experience in working with international NGOs, local civil society organizations, government, bilateral and multilateral donors in a multi-cultural, politically sensitive environment and a thorough understanding of program management, donor reporting requirements and managing donor relations. S/he should have strong analytical skills and be able to work in a complex, occasionally insecure and often difficult environment. Respect of religious beliefs and Afghan culture, particularly in relation to interactions between men and women, is essential. Sound financial and people management skills, and computer knowledge, along with an excellent interpersonal and communication skills in both written and spoken English is essential. Previous experience in Afghanistan or similar complex environment will be an added value.

This position is offered under AAI’s standard terms and conditions. It is a non-accompanied position with paid R&R.

An application letter along with an updated CV and names of two referees should be sent by 12 June 2014 to jobs.kabul@actionaid.org

(Candidates from within ActionAid are requested to keep their Line Manager, Country Director or HROD unit informed of their application.)

Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.

We respect all applications but will only be able to respond to candidates shortlisted for interview.

For more information on ActionAid visit: www.actionaid.org