Programme Management Support Officer - Cross-Border Cooperation

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private international, nonprofit, and non-denominational development agency. It seeks sustainable solutions to long term problems of poverty, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal and other resource poor areas across the world. Concentrating its efforts in health, education, rural development and strengthening civil society sectors, AKF’s approach is based on long-term commitment that is maintained through political and social uncertainty. Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan is part of a dynamic network of development agencies currently operating in over 30 countries across Central and South Asia and East and West Africa. AKF,A currently manages and implements the largest, multi-sectoral development programme within the network and has built a strong reputation with the Government of Afghanistan, donors and local partners in a number of technical fields. At present, it is seeking an exceptional individual to fill the position of Programme Management Support Officer - Cross-Border Cooperation at its Program Office Khorog.

Job Summary: To support the Programme Manager for Regional Cooperation and the national coordination team to analyze programming and produce high quality written communications that respond to donor requirements and contribute to internal learning processes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

A) Programme Management Domain • Ensure timely submission of high quality donor reports to the responsible officer in the National Programme Office (NPO) in Kabul; • Ensure quality of all external documents in consultation with its supervisor
• Support the Rural Development (RD) Programme and the / external relations & grants management team members in proposal development processes; • Ensure that management and relevant sector heads are provided with grant information; • Keep up-to-date files of all documents pertaining to grant management; • Support and assist sector heads in updating yearly plans of operations (YPOs) as new grants are secured; • Develop a comprehensive understanding of programmatic approaches and methods to facilitate internal and external engagement;
• Participate in monthly management meetings to review progress against YPOs; • Coordinate with Evaluation Research and Learning Unit (ERLU) to ensure that qualitative assessments capture indicators outlined in regional logical frameworks; • Coordinate with sector heads to ensure that quantitative indicators are appropriately tracked and recorded in sector-maintained database; • Coordinate with ERLU and sector teams to ensure that timing of assessments matches technical and donor reporting requirements; • Facilitate regular and consistent meetings with finance managers to monitor spending against grants; • Support annual budget review and annual budget process at the regional level; • Maintain regional Grant Management Information System, logical framework, YPO, and project overviews; • Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the cross-border working group mandates and provide regular reporting against progress; • Assist with strategy development for cross-border programming and participate in quarterly programmatic reviews.

B) External Relations Domain: • Ensure AKDN maintains up-to-date intelligence on stakeholders operating within the region; • Identify programme development and funding opportunities within the region; • Support its supervisor and sector heads in their engagement with regional NGOs and UN agencies; • Foster relationships with regional development partners; • In collaboration with Kabul-based counterparts, generate communications materials to present and promote the region; • Liaise frequently with the Faizabad and Kabul offices to ensure shared understanding of the cross-border work plans, opportunities, and challenges; • Coordinate and facilitate visits for stakeholders (AKF donor units, donors, press) to the region; • Work with supervisor to provide timely and appropriate reports to provincial government;

Required Qualifications and Experience: • An under-graduate degree in a relevant field, with at least 3 years of related work experience in a development context; • Evidence of ability to plan and manage complex processes; • A proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues; • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English language; • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Application: Applicants meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a cover letter along with their CV and the names of three references electronically to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org. No later than August 14th 2011 or submit hard copy to AKF, National Programme Office House No 43 Main Road Wazir Akbar Khan Kabul Afghanistan.