Afghanistan: Project Development Manager

Department: Reporting/AME
Position: Project Development Manager
Contract duration: 6 months, renewable
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Starting Date ASAP

I. Background on ACTED

Since 1993, as an international non-governmental organization, ACTED has been committed to immediate humanitarian relief to support those in urgent need and protect people’s dignity, while co-creating longer term opportunities for sustainable growth and fulfilling people’s potential.

ACTED endeavors to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience; promote inclusive and sustainable growth; co-construct effective governance and support the building of civil society worldwide by investing in people and their potential.

We go the last kilometer: ACTED’s mission is to save lives and support people in meeting their needs in hard to reach areas. ACTED develops and implements programs that target the most vulnerable amongst populations that have suffered from conflict, natural disaster, or socio-economic hardship. ACTED’s approach looks beyond the immediate emergency towards opportunities for longer term livelihoods reconstruction and sustainable development.

With a budget of 164 million EUR in 2014, ACTED is active in 35 countries and implements more than 450 projects a year reaching over 8 million beneficiaries with 400 international staff and 4,300 national staff.

II. Country Profile

Capital Office: Kabul
Areas: 3 (2014)
On-going Projects: 26 (2014)
Budget: 15.9 M euros (2014)
National Staff: 921 (2014)

ACTED continues to build on 17 years of uninterrupted presence in Afghanistan, with 900 staff of whom 98 % are Afghan nationals, dedicated to the people of Afghanistan and to rebuilding their country. ACTED consolidates its work in eight of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in the north of the country and our beneficiaries, while predominantly from rural, agricultural-based areas, typify the diversity which is Afghanistan, inclusive of different ethnic groups, languages, customs and traditions.

ACTED works with 8% of the population, building sustainable livelihoods in a holistic way in seven Northern provinces. We empower people to secure ownership of and access to resources, and income-earning activities, including building reserves and assets to offset risk, shocks and to meet contingencies and emergencies which have continued to affect the country. The conflict presents challenges, but we continue to deliver emergency and development programs with continued support of communities and the determination of our staff.

ACTED’s program has six objectives: human, social, natural, financial, political and physical capital development.

ACTED works in partnership with NGOs and the government to deliver key national programs. We represent and advocates on behalf of NGOs as an elected member of the MAIL NGO Coordination Unit and the NSP Facilitating Partners Representative Group. The Afghanistan Livelihoods Network (ALN), an initiative of ACTED, fills a gap in the development sector with 90 organizations attending our best practice workshops. We participate in other humanitarian and early recovery coordination mechanisms. We continue to serve as an elected member of the governing bodies of the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR, which represents 120 member NGOs) and the Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium. We also serve as a member of the governing bodies of local organizations.

Sustainable livelihoods security is a long term development strategy. We continue to design and deliver holistic programs which have shown tangible results. As such, our focus is to continue providing communities with the means to identify their own priorities. Programs remain evidence-based and relevant to needs. Inclusion of young people and women is key priorities and we will continue to respond to emergencies if they arise, while continuing to support civil society, improve coordination and increase regional dialogue with neighboring countries.

III. Position Profile

1. Ensure ACTED Representation in the area of activity


2. 
   

   Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities:
   Participate in official meetings to ensure maximum visibility vis-à-vis provincial authorities

   
   


3. 
   

   Representation vis-à-vis Donors:
   Establish and update contact details of potential Donors active in the area of activity;
   Participate in Donor meetings at provincial level and communicate relevant information to the Country Director;
   Circulate the Annual Report.

   
   


4. 
   

   Representation amongst other international organisations:
   Participate in inter-NGO Coordination meetings and those of UN Agencies (OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, etc.), and any other relevant inter-governmental institution at provincial level;
   Ensure maximum visibility of the Agency amongst the NGO community at provincial level;
   Lead the production of reports and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of information provided, as well ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information.

   
   

More generally, the DAC is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.

1. Contribute to the development of a global intervention strategy and to support its implementation at provincial level


2. Analyse the context and develop strategic plans, in consultation with the Area coordinator and the Country Director:
   Gather and analyse information regarding opportunities and risk;
   Define an operational strategy for finances and HR.


3. Implement the financial strategy:
   Oversee drafting of projects and budget development;
   Lead fund-raising and negotiations with Donors in the area of intervention;
   Lead the application and adherence to contract terms and requirements;
   Supervise overall financial commitments and financial risk.


4. Implement the operational strategy:
   Supervise Project Managers of the area of intervention in project implementation;
   Help the various teams in negotiations with provincial/local authorities and partners;
   Ensure global coordination and complementarity amongst projects within the area of intervention;
   Assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources.


5. Oversee reporting procedures:
   Develop a reporting schedule with regard to Donor deadlines;
   Plan and supervise the development of narrative and financial reports;
   Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.

More generally, communicate systematically to the Country Director the development of the sub area strategy and its implementation.

1. Oversee Staff and Security


2. 
   

   Guide and direct the staff of the area of intervention:
   Organise and lead coordination meetings;
   Prepare and follow work plans;
   Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts);
   Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life;
   Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of personnel according to the area development;
   Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.);

   
   


3. 
   

   Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff:
   Follow recruitment procedures: plan recruitment needs in advance; draft ToRs for open vacancies; if necessary undertake phone interviews with candidates;
   When requested by HQ, undertake interviews of expatriate candidates living in the area of intervention.

   
   


4. 
   

   Oversee staff security:
   In cooperation with the Area Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform both Country Security Officer and Country Director of developments through regular written reports;
   Update the security guidelines in the area of intervention;
   Ensure that security procedures are respected by the whole staff.

   
   

IV. Qualifications:

• Master Level education in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development
• Project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in development programmes
• 2-5 years previous work experience in a relevant position
• Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms
• Ability to work well and punctually under pressure

V. Conditions:

Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus

• Additional monthly living allowance


• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse


• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance


• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package