MIAD GDA Project Coordinator - Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A - Washington, DC

AKF Afghanistan is seeking a Project Coordinator for its Multi-Input Area Development Global

Development Alliance (MIAD GDA) project. The Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring high

quality implementation, reporting, compliance with donor requirements, and communications for this

complex, multi-sector grant in close coordination with national sector teams and the regional office. The

position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan. Candidates with experience working in the region are preferred,

though generalists with strong grants management experience are welcome.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead on reporting, donor relations, and internal coordination for a complex, multi-sector grant

under the guidance of the Project Manager (based in Washington DC) and Deputy Director of

Rural Development (based in Kabul) and in close coordination with sector coordinators and

Program Management Support Officers (PMSOs).

• Lead on compliance measures for the complex grant according to USAID guidelines (vetting,

restricted goods approval, ensuring collaboration agreement is following). This requires a strong

understanding of USAID regulations and compliance issues, as well as positive organizational

skills with regards to ensuring that measures are undertaken and maintained to meet USAID

requirements.

• Develop detailed knowledge of donor requirements and work closely with program, gender,

environment, finance and Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Unit (MERLU) teams as

well as AKF donor country offices to ensure that all donor requirements are met. Where

appropriate, develop and deliver internal capacity building to strengthen AKF staff understanding

of donor requirements.

• Coordinate the preparation of Project Implementation Plans, annual workplans, narrative reports,

and other adhoc requests from donors, AKF USA, AKF Geneva, AKF-Afghanistan internal

management, and AKDN in close collaboration with program teams.

• Work closely with the Project M&E Coordinator to ensure that Program Monitoring Plan and

technical indicators are accurate.

• Work closely with the Project M&E Coordinator to ensure that Program Monitoring Plan and

technical indicators are accurate.

• Participate in the MERL Working Group and contribute to MIAD GDA’s Learning Agenda.


• Proactively identify potential bottlenecks and performance issues and provide advice to senior

program management on how to resolve these issues in a timely fashion.

• Work closely with the Finance team to monitor the financial performance of the grants.


• Subject to security guidance, frequently visit project sites for internal monitoring and prepare

reports for use by AKF senior program management.

• Ensure good internal communications and highly quality relationships within AKF concerning

the grants.

• Represent AKF in donor meetings and proactively maintain communications to ensure a

productive working relationship.

• Maintain productive working relationships with other AKDN agencies that may be stakeholders

in the grants.

• Lead on preparation of communications products related to the grants with the technical support

of the Communications team.

• Lead on the coordination of donor visits, visits of AKF donor country offices, and external

evaluations; act as the focal point for ongoing external monitoring by donors;

• Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF-A’s commitment to

protecting children in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy. Lead on the coordination

of donor visits, visits of AKF donor country offices, and external evaluations; act as the AKF-

Afghanistan focal point for ongoing external monitoring by donors.

• Participate in key strategic and team planning meetings related to Policy and Partnerships.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree or equivalent work experience in an area related to international development.


• At least 2 years of experience in grants management including donor relations, reporting, and

compliance.

• Comprehensive understanding of USAID regulations and compliance procedures.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others in ambiguous contexts.


• Experience working in a developing country, particularly in a post-conflict context.


• Willingness to live in an insecure environment in which there may be restrictions on personal

freedom.

• Experience in program/project planning and design would be an asset.

TO APPLY:
Submit application materials directly on www.akdn.org/careers under the “Coordinator, MIAD GDA”

posting by November 28, 2015.