Afghanistan: NRM & Livelihoods Programme Manager

Country: Afghanistan

Job Title: NRM & Livelihoods Programme Manager

Starting date: October/November 2016

Contract Length: 18 months

Exact Job Location: Mazar-e Sharif, Kabul, with frequent travel to the field

Responsible To: Country Director & Head of Programmes

Responsible For: 20 national staff (office and field based)

Job overview

The NRM & Livelihoods Programme Manager (PM) will ensure the timely and effective management and implementation of PIN’s natural resource management programme in Afghanistan, ensuring efficiency, quality, impact and accountability, while upholding the core values of PIN. The PM provides technical, conceptual and organisational leadership to the team. PIN currently implements a programme covering agricultural development, sustainable livelihoods and natural resource management at the community level funded by several different donors.

Organisation context

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech NGO that provides relief and development assistance in over 20 countries around the world. Formed in 1992, PIN has evolved into the biggest organisation of its kind in post-communist Europe, providing relief where it is needed, and empowering civil society at home and abroad.

In Afghanistan, PIN has been active since 2001, responding to humanitarian needs where they arise, and through targeted development programmes. Today PIN activities are conducted from programme offices in Paktya, Nangahar, Balkh, Herat and Samangan as well as 2 central offices in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, with 5 expatriate staff and around 180 national staff members. PIN currently focuses on the main sectors of agricultural development, education, rural infrastructure development and emergency relief, with support from a variety of key donors, including the EC, EU member state donors, the Czech Development Agency, and ECHO. By working closely with the communities, PIN has managed to maintain a significant field presence in Afghanistan and Programme Managers are expected to spend at least 20-30% of their time in the field. As a small and dynamic organisation, all management-level employees are expected to contribute to wider development of the country programme and mission management, as well as the development of the whole organisation.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Senior Management and Strategic Development:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (2016-2020)


• Participate and contribute to the Management Team decision making as needed


• Contribute towards the overall development of the country mission


• Together with the Head of Programmes and Country Director, continue to develop the sector strategy and goals. By undertaking assessments and field monitoring, understand the needs of the targeted regions, and initiate the development on concepts and proposals, support fundraising by approaching donors and partners. Closely document success stories, and ensure that PIN suggests high-quality and cost-effective solutions to development obstacles in the region.
  
  • In coordination with the Head of Programmes, Ensure that PIN’s significant field presence and experience are translated into advocacy at various levels within the humanitarian community, donors, and other stakeholders. Through monitoring of the wider humanitarian situation in the country, the Programme Manager is able to participate in stakeholder coordination meetings, and represent PIN in the relevant fora.
  
  

Programme Management:

• The PM is responsible for the full implementation of the Natural Resource Management, sustainable livelihoods and agricultural development components of the programme, including planning, needs assessments & identification, implementation, budgeting, monitoring & evaluation, reporting, financial management, cash flow planning and management of the team. As such, the Programme Manager has the primary responsibility for the fulfilment of PIN contractual obligations to donors and full achievement of the activities, outputs, results and impact of the projects.


• The PM provides technical and conceptual leadership to the team, and ensures that a high quality of implementation is maintained. By developing and overseeing a strong Results-Based Monitoring framework, the Programme Manager improves the quality of the programme and evaluates its impact.


• Ensure that projects are implemented in full within the limits of the donor approved budgets. The PM is responsible for planning expenditures in line with the budgets. Through close cooperation with the Finance Officer, the Programme Manager must ensure that the project complies with all internal regulations and the required financial and project documentation is archived in PIN’s electronic Document Management System.


• Provide regular internal reporting according to PIN internal reporting structure, and ensure that all donor reports are produced in a timely and accurate fashion. In cooperation with the Finance Officer, ensure timely production of financial reports.


• Ensure that all information and experience in the field and during the implementation of the programme is documented and stored appropriately, and methods for sharing such knowledge are utilised.
  
  • Ensure that cross-cutting agendas and principles of PIN such a gender equality and non-discrimination are implemented in the NRM project
  
  

Human resources management:

• The PM continues to build the NRM & Livelihoods team within PIN, ensuring proper recruitment, clear job descriptions, contracts, management of holidays, performance evaluations and day-to-day management as described by the mission Standard Operating Procedures and the National Staff Policy.
  
  • The PM is responsible for training national staff in appropriate sectors related to the implementation of the project. Furthermore, the PM is responsible for overall development of the national staff and their continued progress within the organisation.
  
  

External coordination and representation:

• Under the leadership of the Head of Programmes/Country Director, the PM participates in relevant coordination meetings at national and regional level (Kabul and Mazar) to maintain PIN’s presence and share experiences. The PM closely works with all relevant stakeholders, including local line departments and other organisations in order to broaden the impact of the programme.

Security

• With support of Security officer, ensure that all employees of the NRM programme are fully aware of PIN‘s Security Framework, and adhere to it at all times.

Requirements for Applicants

Education and Experience

• MA/Diploma in relevant subject, and with a sound understanding of the relevant sectors.


• A minimum of three year of relevant experience in development and humanitarian sectors.


• Experiences of programme, HR and financial management.


• Experience working in Afghanistan is an advantage.

Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

• Empathy with PIN humanitarian values and its approach


• Ability to motivate and develop skills of others


• Ability to quickly grow into new challenges, working within a close and supportive team


• Ability to work under pressure and often to strict deadlines


• Analytical and problem solving skills


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


• Methodical and thorough


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


• Tolerance and acceptance of diversity


• Excellent psychological balance and ability to maintain balance in a restrictive security environment


• Willing to integrate in PIN’s close team culture


• Knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel

PIN offers:

• Work experience with a professional and flexible NGO, the largest one in Central-Eastern Europe


• Participation in meaningful, sustainable development projects


• Background of a well-established mission


• Salary defined by PIN salary grid 2300 – 3000 USD (depending on previous experience of the candidate, per diem included)


• 25 days of paid annual leave plus up to 15 days of R&R leave annually, compensational leave


• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once every 6 months of work, reimbursement of Rest & Recovery travel in the region every 6 months.


• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations


• Travel medical insurance, Medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available,


• Accommodation in PIN guesthouse, in-country work related travel and accommodation covered