Afghanistan: CHIEF PROGRAMME OFFICER

The Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and Pacific is an inter-governmental organization with a membership of 27 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Applications are invited from qualified and experienced local and International personnel for the above post based in Kabul, Afghanistan which meets the required criteria:

Background of the Colombo Plan Gender Affairs Programme:

The Colombo Plan Gender Affairs Programme (CPGAP) works on women and children’s rights, issues and development.

PURPOSE:

The Chief Programme Officer, based in Kabul, reports to the Project Director – CPGAP, and assists to implement activities under Afghanistan Women’s Shelter Fund (AWSF) and the Afghan Children’s Support Center Fund (ACSCF) projects. The Chief Programme Officer serves as the focal point in Afghanistan on all matters regarding the AWSF and ACSCF projects, especially on all aspects of partner coordination, project implementation and monitoring. The Chief Programme Officer will also supervise other Kabul-based AWSF and ACSCF staff on a day-to-day basis. The Chief Programme Officer will represent and uphold the vision, mission and values of the Colombo Plan while guiding and collaborating with implementing partners.

Duties & Responsibilities :

· Under the supervision of the CPGAP Project Director, the Chief Programme Officer manages all aspects under the AWSF and ACSCF projects with implementing agencies, ensuring effective implementation (programmatic and financial), monitoring, coordination and reporting at all levels;

· In consultation with the Project Director CPGAP, efficiently and effectively oversees all daily activities of the CPGAP in Afghanistan and supervises staff assigned to the AWSF and ACSCF projects;

· Coordinates with programme staff at Colombo headquarters, implementing partners, Afghan government agencies and other relevant stakeholders; represents Colombo Plan at gender cluster meetings and in technical working committees in the area of women’s protection and gender-based violence; ensures Colombo Plan participation in children protection technical working committees. ;

· Identifies needs and provides regular capacity building support to AWSF and ACSCF implementing partners and stakeholders;

· Oversees all documentation of the AWSF and ACSCF project, compliance under the grants, translation work, record keeping and travel related to the implementation of project activities under CPGAP;

· Collects, edits, and reviews AWSF reports and records and conducts regular AWSF programme monitoring and evaluation visits to the field;

· Supervise the ACSCF programme day to day activities with the CSC Coordinator and their monitoring and evaluation visits to implementer locations

· Prepares, compiles and summarizes weekly and monthly reports of the CPGAP team in Kabul office;

· Coordinates and supports monitoring visits in the programme and by headquarters’ staff, Afghan government officials and other relevant parties.

· Consults with and keeps the Project Director – CPGAP and other relevant CP officers informed of all events, news, government policies, security situations and developments that have a direct or indirect bearing on the Colombo Plan and its activities.

· Increases awareness of gender equality, gender development, women’s legal rights, child protection and gender and children issues among relevant stakeholders;

· Provides input into the annual work plan of CPGAP and prepares relevant information, reports and other necessary documents required by the CPGAP Director and officers on AWSF and ACSCF programmes;

· Secures the confidentiality of all interactions and records at all times and manages the day to day administrative matters in the AWSF project; supervises the ACSCF coordinator, who manages the day to day administrative matters in the ACSCF project;

· Carries out other responsibilities assigned by the Colombo Plan.

Qualifications :

· Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree- preferably in Gender, Women Studies, Law, Social Work/Sociology, Human Rights, Psychology or other relevant field. Master’s Degree or related advanced qualifications preferred.

· At least 8 years of progressively responsible work experience, ideally in Afghanistan or in another international setting, with at least 5 years in a position related to gender, human rights, law, child protection, or women’s rights programming and its monitoring and evaluation.

· Experience with personnel management, budget development, and strategic planning.

· Excellent communication, analytical and writing skills in English. Knowledge of spoken and written Dari and/or Pashto is desirable;

· Ability to work under pressure within short time constraints and during times of rapidly developing events;

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to coordinate effectively with management in Colombo and Kabul in a highly collaborative environment Willingness to work and live in a post-conflict environment

· Willingness and ability to conduct extended travel to remote and sometimes insecure field locations for monitoring.

· Preference will be given to nationals of Colombo Plan member countries.

Competencies:

· Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the Colombo Plan

· Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

· Effective and efficient data gathering knowledge and data analytical skills

· Ability and sensitivity to work with a wide cross-section of partners, including government, I/NGOs and the private sector

· Ability to work on sensitive subject matter and handle confidential information.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, planning, proven networking, team-building, decision making, organizational and communication skills