Afghanistan: HEAD OF PROGRAMMES IN AFGHANISTAN

Starting date: January/February 2016

Contract Length: 18 months with possibility of extension to 24 months

Job Location: Mazar-e Sharif (60%) and Kabul (40%), depending on programmes

Reports To: Country Director

Job overview

The Head of Programmes supervises all programmes, with the specific responsibility for timely and efficient programme implementation, and the quality of projects. By supervising the implementation of results-based Monitoring and Evaluation systems, the Head of Programmes also guides the programme strategy and development of future programmes. Together with the Country Director, the Head of Programmes represents PIN to donors and partners, ensuring that PIN is recognised for its field experience. Furthermore, the Head of Programmes engages in medium and long-term planning and strategy activities, ensures continuous quality improvement of programmes and contributes to a positive working environment for programme staff.

Organisation Context

PIN has been active in Afghanistan active since 2001, responding to humanitarian needs were they arise, and through targeted development programmes. Today PIN activities are conducted from programme offices in Paktya, Nangarhar, Balkh, Herat and Samangan as well as two central offices in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, with 5 international and 200 national staff.

PIN currently focuses on the main sectors of emergency relief, rural development, urban poverty and social protection, agricultural livelihoods and education, with support from a variety of key donors, including EC, European member states, Czech Development Agency, ECHO, and OCHA.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Senior Management

• Assist the Country Director in the management of the country programme


• Lead the programme side of the development and roll-out of the Country Strategic Plan


• Ensure that the overall programme is designed, managed and implemented in conformity to People in Need’s policies, strategy and guidelines


• Participate in senior management meetings and strategic decision making

Programme Management

• Ensure effective operational management of PIN’s Afghanistan programme through line management of Programme Managers and M&E Department


• Ensure cross-cutting themes are mainstreamed, and the programmes strategic plans are followed


• Ensure timely and high quality reporting to donors


• Make sure that project developed meets high standards in terms of design, implementation and M&E through proper Project Cycle Management


• Undertake monitoring visits to programme areas and provide feedback to managers and staff


• Prepare programme budgets collaboratively with programme and finance staff


• Track programme expenditure through quarterly programme review meetings using financial expenditure reports prepared by the finance department.


• Track programme status through internally developed M&E systems, through regular review meetings


• Ensure compliance to donor policies, procedures and procurement (EU, WB, GIZ, CzDA etc.)

Programme Development

• Offer critical advice on program trajectories and direction for future development in line with program strategies; review and update program strategies as necessary


• Coordinate and actively contribute to development of new proposals, within existing PIN programs and in line with PIN Afghanistan country strategy and PIN Relief and Development Department strategy


• Network among donors and key stakeholders to actively seek funding opportunities, help increase the quality of proposals, understand donor priorities and ensure coordination

Human Resource Management

• In consultation with the Country Director, plan HR needs, capacity building needs for senior staff and ensure sufficient human resources for the programme to meet its objectives


• Ensure coherent policy towards recruitment, remuneration and bonuses across the country programme

Security

• Abide by PIN security rules and help facilitate smooth cooperation between programs and PIN security department


• Liaise and report all security related issues to Country Director, and represent programme needs when deciding upon security framework changes within the senior management team

Representation & Communications & Networking

• Ensure that PIN is well represented and visible in the donor community, among key partners, and within coordination fora, delegating as appropriate to programme staff


• Help PIN maintain its position within existing sectors and with its existing strengths especially with regards to field presence and regional expertise in the North and South-East of Afghanistan


• Engage in advocacy and policy dialogues where appropriate, ensuring PIN represents the needs of its beneficiaries and based on its field experience in order to campaign for needed policies and donor commitments


• Maintain open dialogue with regional and local government


• Liaise with HQ (esp. with Desk Officer on programmatic issues)

Documentation and Learning

• Ensure that all programmes properly retain programme learning for future projects, and that all information is properly documented


• Ensure that all official programme documentation is properly stored and available for the future

Requirements for Applicants

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in International Relations, Programme Management, International Development or other relevant field


• Three years relevant overseas experience in development and humanitarian sectors


• Senior programme and management experience in a development context a plus


• Proven track record of working with international donors, (inc. UN Agencies, EC, ECHO, USAID, etc.) and other international organisations as well as governments


• Fluency in written and spoken English with excellent writing skills


• Experience with working in insecure environments. Previous experience in Afghanistan an advantage


• Experience with development projects in urban contexts (social protection, self-help group approach, vocational trainings, market-oriented solutions, etc.) desirable


• multi-country experience is required

Aptitude or Personality Requirements

• Empathy with the organisation vision, mission, goals and objectives


• Proven track record of high quality proposal writing and donor reporting


• Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines


• Strong budget management skills


• Ability to motivate and develop skills of others


• Analytical and problem solving skills


• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently


• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity (esp. gender and ethnicity)

PIN offers

• Flexible and challenging working environment with room for personal growth


• Starting salary defined by PIN salary scale (from 3,200 USD depending on experience; including per diem)


• Eight weeks leave per year, with flights home paid 2x per year, and 1 regional flight


• Accommodation in country