Afghanistan: Project manager - Energy and local economic development

CONTEXT

GERES (www.geres.eu) is a French NGO working worldwide for the improvement of people’s living conditions through preservation of environment and fair and sustainable energy access. In Afghanistan**, GERES has been working since 2002 in energy efficiency and rural development.

In the Central Highlands of Afghanistan, GERES, in partnership with MADERA and Solidarités International, is implementing a 10 million euro programme funded by the French Agency for Development (AFD) for 3.5 years. It aims at the general improvement of living standards through agriculture and livestock development, natural resource management, and energy efficiency. Following a preliminary assessment phase, programme activities started in March 2014.

POSITION IN THE HIERARCHY

The Project Manager (PM) is placed under direct responsibility of the Programme Coordinator, and will work in coordination with her/him. He has direct responsibility and authority on the Component II team that includes 22 staff members. He also works in close collaboration with the R&D and Technical Coordinator of GERES Afghanistan.

The PM works in collaboration with the Project Managers of Components I, III, IV, being member of Programme operational committee and sharing information on a regular basis, but has no hierarchical links towards them. He also works in collaboration with GERES Support Services Unit for administrative and logistic of Component II.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The PM is in charge of Component II of the Programme: ‘Energy efficiency in housing’. Objective of this position is to smoothly manage the activities under Component II, in line with the expected results of the programme and in coherence with the 3 other components, as well as to provide specific expertise on local economic development (support to micro-entrepreneurship and value chain development).

MAIN TASKS

The Project Manager is expected to carry out the following tasks. This task description can be reviewed according to the project needs and based on the agreement of the employee and his/her line manager.

1.Activity management of Component II activities (60%):

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  Defines, follows up, and adjusts project strategy and action plans**, in conformity with the general objectives of the Central Highlands Programme and in collaboration with the R&D Coordinator;

  
  


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  Ensures good and regular implementation of project activities, in line with the consolidated programme document, the logical framework, and yearly defined action plans;

  
  


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  Conducts regular field visits to check the quality of project implementation;

  
  


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  Trains and builds capacity of the project team in project management, in particular the Deputy

  
  

Project Manager;

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  Manages project reporting**, for line agencies, donor, partners;

  
  


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  Implements and supervises monitoring and evaluation of project activities, in collaboration with the Programme M&E Unit;

  
  


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  Coordination of and support to consultancies and studies planned in Component II: support and advice in writing Terms of Reference; data and information supply for preparation of field missions; facilitation of field mission; report proofreading and additional exchanges with the consultants;

  
  

2. Specific expertise in local economic development (20%):

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  Design and implements tools for economic and financial analysis and follow-up of microenterprises (craftsmen and retailers);

  
  


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  Elaborates of business plans for microenterprises;

  
  


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  Analyses the potentialities in terms of energy-saving solutions value chain and defines a marketing strategy;

  
  


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  Coordinates value chain stakeholders and organises exchange events;

  
  


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  Supports external expertise in business and marketing, and updates activity plans including provided recommendations;

  
  


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  Organises and implements training plans in business and marketing for field officers;

  
  


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  Continuous capacity-building of the team in business and marketing;

  
  


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  In coordination with the national staff and possible external experts, prepares the business and marketing training curriculum for microenterprises.

  
  

3. Support management of Component II (10%):

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  Manages human resources under Component II: writing/update of job descriptions, recruitment, evaluation, and daily HR management (leaves, etc.) in line with GERES Staff regulations and consortium procedures;

  
  


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  Participates to budget management: follow-up and forecast, financial reporting, in line with GERES

  
  

and consortium procedures, and donor requirements;

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  Works with support services for logistics related to the project (planning of movements, purchase of materials, etc.) in line with GERES and consortium procedures;

  
  


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  Ensures proper implementation of security management for his team, and relays information on security situation if necessary;

  
  

4. Participation to Programme Coordination (5%):

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  As member of the operational committee, participates to Programme coordination, in particular to the monthly operational committee meetings in the Central Highlands Region;

  
  


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  Organises and/or participates to cross-cutting activities, such as common training sessions for staff, joint interventions, Programme events, etc.;

  
  


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  Ensures proper information sharing with Component IV team on project activities and external relations.

  
  

5. Participation to GERES activities (5%):

• Exchanges and works with GERES Afghanistan Coordination team to ensure proper relay of

GERES approach and activities at field level and among the team;

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  Participates to the writing of GERES annual activity reports and other communication documents or events;

  
  


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  Participates to fundraising and proposal writing.

  
  

Qualifications

Education : University degree in social sciences, business management or other relevant field;

Experience : At least 3 years of experience in project management, preferably in rural development and in

developing countries, with experience in local economic development;

Languages : Fluent English, French an asset, Persian (Dari) appreciated;

IT skills : Proficiency in Office and Internet software; statistical analysis and GIS an asset; Very good interpersonal skills and capacity to live and work in rural environment.

Skills : Team management; excellent oral and written communication skills to lead relation with donors and institutional partners; very good writing reporting skills; excellent influencing and relationship building skills; very good interpersonal skills and ability to work with multicultural teams; flexible approach to managing and prioritizing high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines.

CONDITIONS

French fixed-term contract (CDDU) of 12 months, renewable; Salary based upon profile, experience and GERES salary grid; Security allowance: 700€ gross/month

Position based in Bamyan Province, with frequent travels to Kabul;

Accommodation in GERES guesthouse with a monthly living allowance of USD 330 (according to the time spent in Afghanistan);

2 return tickets per year between Afghanistan and home country and 2 intermediary breaks in the sub- region (flight ticket covered up to 400€ for each break);

26 days of paid leaves per year + 10 R&R days in total (5 days per intermediary break);

Covered and managed by the employer: Afghan visa & work permit costs; health, retirement, and unemployment insurances costs (partly); repatriation insurance.