Afghanistan: Program Quality Officer in Afghanistan

Starting date: According to availability

Contract Length: 18 months with possibility of extension

Exact Job Location: Mazar-e Sharif (30%) and Kabul (70%), with regular travel, depending on programmes

Reports To: Country Director

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 6 international and 170 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

Programme development

• Collaborates with the Country Director and program staff to develop high quality funding proposals, based on evidence and input from all involved stakeholders (target communities, potential partners, government). All newly designed projects will build upon existing Country Strategy and individual Program Strategies.


• Ensures timely and high quality reporting is done by all programmes to donors


• Undertakes monitoring visits to programme areas and provides feedback to programme managers


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


• Ensures compliance with donor policies, procedures and procurement (EU, WB, GIZ, BMZ, CzDA etc.)


• Active engagement in coordination and sectorial working groups


• Backs up and substitutes Programme Managers during their leaves

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Facilitates synergies in M&E tools and processes across programs. Streamlines systems that inform program quality improvement and meaningful reporting


• Supervises and backstops M&E Department in analyses and understanding the context, program impact, ensuring that received feedback is reflected in program design

Human Resource Management

• In consultation with the Country director and HR department, contributes to capacity building of PIN staff and ensures sufficient human resources for the programme to meet its objectives

Representation & Communications & Networking

• In cooperation with HQ and programmes prepares media reports, PR presentations about project activities.


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


• Shares responsibilities with Country Director for donor representation and discussions about funding opportunities


• Engages 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, donor commitments etc.


• Maintains open dialogue with regional and local government


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

Documentation and Learning

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


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

Security

• Abides by PIN security rules and helps facilitate smooth cooperation between programs and PIN security department


• Liaises and reports all security-related issues to Country Director, and represents programme needs when deciding upon security framework changes within the senior management team

Requirements for Applicants

Education and Experience

• Third level qualification (Diploma / Degree)


• Two years relevant overseas experience in development and/or humanitarian sectors


• Proven track record of working with international donors, (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

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 find problems and recommend solutions


• Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines


• Methodical and thorough knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft word and excel


• Analytical and problem solving skills


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


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


• Tolerance and acceptance of diversity

PIN offers

• Flexible and challenging working environment with room for personal growth


• Starting salary defined by PIN salary scale (starting salary in the range from 2,650 USD to 3,140 USD depending on experience; including per diem)


• 25 days annual leave and 15 days R&R per year, with flights home paid 2x per year, and 2x regional flights per year


• Accommodation in country