Afghanistan: Senior Education Programme Manager

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.9 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

Following a major transition, our international programmes are now delivered through a merged operation with c15,000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We’re changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

Contract Length: 2years

The Role:

Save the Children seeks an experienced Project Manager to lead a flagship girls’ education program in Afghanistan which aims to help the most marginalised girls to access education, stay in school and achieve improved learning outcomes. The four-year £10m program works across 3 provinces ( Kandahar, Faryab and Kabul) rolling out at scale a variety of interventions Save the Children has piloted both in Afghanistan and around the world. Project implementation started in 2013 and is due to be completed in April 2017.

The Project Manager will be responsible for the management coordination and successful implementation and closeout of this project across the three provinces. Strong project management and budget monitoring skills will be a particular focus of this role, since project implementation and payment by the donor is contingent on reaching output related milestones.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

1 Program Implementation and Monitoring

• Providing strategic guidance and strong leadership to all STAGES and education project staff to ensure the delivery of programme targets and technically sound decision-making processes


• Ensuring that effective monitoring and performance management systems are in place for achieving prior agreed program activity targets, budget allocations and financial expenditures, ensuring that value for money can be effectively demonstrated to the donor and activities and expenditure are compliant with donor requirements


• 
  

  Maintaining efficient and effective operating systems that are compliant with all Save the Children Minimum Operating Standards, including safety & security management

  
  


• 
  

  Overseeing project logistics including maintaining a detailed procurement plan for the lifespan of the program, so that project material is purchased on time and within budget.

  
  


• Leading the preparation, review, and regular revision of the STAGES detailed implementation plan (DIP) taking into account agreed milestones, log frame and budget


• Collaboratively setting and reviewing monthly targets and weekly work plans for staff in three provinces of implementation to ensure DIP is delivered


• Supporting beneficiary communities through the streamlining of education activities and promoting field coordination with related thematic areas.


• Monitoring progress through field visits and meetings with STAGES project staff, communities, partners, local and provincial government, and other key stakeholders.


• Carrying out field-based needs assessments and gap analyses, including risk and vulnerability assessments for the STAGES consortium.


• 
  

  Leading on revisions of core implementation documents (milestones, logframe, budget, DIP)

  
  

  1 Budget Management

  
  


• 
  

  Ensuring the effective management of the project budget through close collaboration with the finance department and in full compliance to donor regulations.

  
  


• Preparing and implementing monthly pipeline analyses and monthly spending targets.


• Identifying potential variances of expenses vs. budget, and recommending appropriate adjustments at meetings of the Grants Management Committee (GMC)


• 
  

  Justifying spending variances </> 10% in quarterly donor reports

  
  

  1 Reporting and Documentation

  
  


• 
  

  Playing a leading role in finalisation of donor narrative and financial reports, the submission of budget revisions, and any other donor required documentation.

  
  


• Supporting the STAGES M&E / Reporting Manager in the writing of donor progress reports on a monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual basis, as well as in documenting case studies of successes, challenges, lessons learned, and other project-related feedback.


• 
  

  Assisting organizational learning for education best practices that can be used in manuals, booklets, and brochures.

  
  

  1 Human Resource Management

  
  


• 
  

  Ensuring that the program is appropriately staffed across Save the Children and partners, including the appropriate combination of expertise across technical and operational areas

  
  


• 
  

  Ensuring that all STAGES project staff have updated job descriptions, work plans, and clear lines of communication and reporting.

  
  


• 
  

  Supporting the capacity building of Education Department staff in report writing in English; budget utilization; indicator tracking; the preparation of log frames and detailed implementation plans (DIPs); and the use of Microsoft office software, especially Word and Excel.

  
  

  1 Coordination / Representation

  
  


• 
  

  Acting as Save the Children Afghanistan’s primary contact with the STAGES consortium in Kabul for inter-agency communication and coordination

  
  


• 
  

  Liaising with SCUK focal points and coordinating their support to STAGES

  
  


• 
  

  Supporting the PDQ Education Adviser to promote Save the Children’s education work in Afghanistan at public meetings, press gatherings, and donor- and embassy-liaison functions.

  
  


• 
  

  Coordinating effectively with other NGOs and UN agencies that are working in education.

  
  


• Nurturing strong relationships with Save the Children’s partners in country, SC Members, national and regional level government and donors, as well as other key stakeholders in Afghanistan


• Liaising with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (M&E) Department in order to measure, using various statistical techniques, the qualitative impact of the various education grants.


• Advising the Education Department in the development of new concept notes and/or multimillion-dollar funding proposals for education activities.


• Coordinating with the Media and Communications Department for the publication of best practices and lessons learned for a variety of external stakeholders and audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Minimum five years’ experience in project management, with Prior experience of delivering results based programming


• Demonstrable experience of developing and managing major donor contracts and grants (in excess of £5m)


• Experience of project and financial management of multi partner or agency consortia


• Ability to provide support and performance management remotely


• 
  

  Proven track record of solving complex problems through analysis, definition of a clear way(s) forward, ensuring buy-in

  
  


• 
  

  Ability to act as a public representative and spokesperson for the Save the Children Afghanistan country office amongst senior government, donor, and diplomatic officials, both at the provincial and at the national levels;

  
  


• 
  

  Demonstrated experience of working with national and/or provincial level government structures on policy design, implementation and capacity building

  
  


• Experience of building, leading and developing a team of senior staff with different backgrounds and expertise


• 
  

  Strong communication, and interpersonal skills with substantial experience in managing multicultural teams

  
  


• 
  

  Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and internet;

  
  

  Desirable

  
  


• 
  

  Expertise in education and gender issues relating to girls’ education specifically, with knowledge of current education trends, program activities, and best practices in Afghanistan

  
  


• 
  

  Previous experience of project management/Education programming in Afghanistan

  
  

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Please apply in English using your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role. Closing date of the application is 17th January, 2016.