Education Project Management Unit (PMU) Manager

Title	Education Project Management Unit (PMU) Manager
Location	Afghanistan
Programme	Social Development - Education
Agency	Aga Khan Foundation
Deadline	20 Jan 2013

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies founded by His Highness the Aga Khan. The Network's organisations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to culture, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise. AKDN is dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to faith, origin or gender. More information....

The Position
KF's Education initiatives remove barriers preventing girls from attending school and increases community support for education. Applying a holistic approach, multiple interventions provide high-quality education opportunities to 140,000 students, 45% of whom are girls, at the pre-primary, primary and secondary education levels.
AKF is the lead agency in a consortium of NGO and private sector partners that will work across 14 provinces of Afghanistan over three-years. The Consortium is managed by a Kabul-based Project Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for coordinating project implementation, management of financial resources, monitoring and evaluation, and donor reporting. In collaboration with the consortium partners, the PMU will develop and maintain a cohesive and coordinated approach to achieve the goals of the consortium.
The Consortium is in the final stages of the grant proposal process, which is expected to conclude in January 2013. This position is contingent upon the successful receipt of the grant.
AKF is seeking a PMU Project Manager who will oversee coordination, implementation and achievement of all the consortium activities, and provide necessary strategic and operational leadership to the PMU to ensure objectives are met. The PMU Manager will directly report to AKF's Director Education and will have reporting lines to AKF's Senior Management Team in Afghanistan and the UK.

Job Summary:

Responsible for the coordination of all AKDN activities and the implementation of AKF (Afg)'s rural development and education program in their respective area.


Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership: Provide strategic and operational leadership for the PMU and coordinate all annual work planning, project reviews, evaluation activities and project implementation activities with team members, partners, and other stakeholders.

Systems Development and Management: Identify, design and implement effective and efficient systems to support the smooth implementation of all aspects of the programme (including operations, financial management, monitoring, reporting).

Quality oversight: Oversee the design of monitoring tools, coordination between partners, regular tracking of project results, and ensure adequate data collection for high quality donor reports and develop case studies that analyse and document key lessons, ensure the development of appropriate gender-related interests and issues are reflected in the project design, monitoring, implementation and research.

Knowledge Management: Manage the extensive Monitoring, Research and Evaluation component of the Consortium. Oversee the thorough electronic records, produce and disseminate meeting records with external stakeholders and regularly update the grants management database.

Staff Management and Development: Responsible for enhancing staff capacity; identify key staff, identify staff development requirements, locate appropriate training/development opportunities and manage these accordingly within budget.

Coordination and Facilitation: Organise and facilitate regular coordination with PMU team, Partners, donors and other stakeholders to coordinate workplan development, implementation activities and evaluations and studies.

Reporting and Documentation: Ensure high-quality and timely submission of all reports and deliverables to the Donor, the Government and stakeholders.

Financial monitoring: Oversee the monitoring of expenditure, budgeting and variance and address any problems in good time; Ensures the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports.

Strategic Communications: Oversee the development of studies and communications materials for external audiences, articulating achievements, impacts and lessons learned.

External relations: Develop constructive working relationship with relevant stakeholders including donors and the relevant government ministries, represent the Consortium in external meetings in national policy fora and working groups with other key stakeholders, and develop opportunities for synergies with external organisations and potential private sector partners. Seek out and develop relevant links within the private sector in line with the goals of the Project.

Equity and Diversity: Actively promote equity, diversity and respect, both within the PMU and through the Project. Together with the Technical Education Manager, ensure that all aspects of the project, including the design, approach, workplans, staffing, monitoring, evaluation and research, that considerations to the specific needs of girls and boys, women and men in Project activities are made and tracked.

From time to time the PMU Manager will be required to take on additional duties and tasks, as need within the PMU and Project arises.

The Requirements

Advanced degree in education, development or related field, plus a minimum 5 years experience managing multi-partner development programs.

Extensive experience implementing complex development programs in high-speed, challenging environments in developing countries or post-conflict contexts.

Demonstrated skills in strategic and program planning.

High level of cultural adaptability and sensitivity.

Ability to respond effectively to deadlines and high pressure situations.

Demonstrated ability to develop and manage internal reporting systems.

Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.

Strong understanding of key development concepts, particularly in relation to integrated programming.

Ability to work and communicate effectively within an international team.

Ability to use initiative and work with limited supervision.

Diplomatic, flexible and facilitative leadership skills with a good sense of humor.

Salary & International Package
Salary and package to attract the best candidate

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