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Program Manager Infrastructure Afghanistan

I. Background on ACTED

ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.
ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000 national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 340 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion.
For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org
II. Country Profile
Projects : 16 (2011)
National staff : 874 (2011)
International Staff : 14 (2011)
Capital Office : Kabul
Total number of direct beneficiaries : 3,030,371 (2011)
Budget : 14 M Euros (2011)
ACTED continues to build on 17 years of uninterrupted presence in Afghanistan, with 900 staff of whom 98 % are Afghan nationals, dedicated to the people of Afghanistan and to rebuilding their country. ACTED consolidates its work in eight of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in the north of the country and our beneficiaries, while predominantly from rural, agricultural-based areas, typify the diversity which is Afghanistan, inclusive of different ethnic groups, languages, customs and traditions.
ACTED workes with 8% of the population, building sustainable livelihoods in a holistic way in seven northern provinces. We empower people to secure ownership of and access to resources, and income-earning activities, including building reserves and assets to offset risk, shocks and to meet contingencies and emergencies which have continued to affect the country. The conflict presents challenges, but we continue to deliver emergency and development programmes with continued support of communities and the determination of our staff.
ACTED’s programme has six objectives: human, social, natural, financial, political and physical capital development.
ACTED works in partnership with NGOs and the government to deliver key national programmes. We represent and advocates on behalf of NGOs as an elected member of the MAIL NGO Coordination Unit and the NSP Facilitating Partners Representative Group. The Afghanistan Livelihoods Network (ALN), an initiative of ACTED, fills a gap in the development sector with 90 organisations attending our best practice workshops. We participate in other humanitarian and early recovery coordination mechanisms. We continue to serve as an elected member of the governing bodies of the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief, (ACBAR, which represents 120 member NGOs) and the Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium. We also serve as a member of the governing bodies of local organizations.
Sustainable livelihoods security is a long term development strategy. We continue to design and deliver holistic programmes which have shown tangible results. As such, our focus is to continue providing communities with the means to identify their own priorities. Programmes remain evidence-based and relevant to needs. Inclusion of young people and women is key priorities and we will continue to respond to emergencies if they arise, while continuing to support civil society, improve coordination and increase regional dialogue with neighboring countries.
III. Position Profile
The Program Manager will contribute to the development of his project, which is a constitutive part of the country strategy, and subsequently manage its implementation. Specifically the Program will oversee a complex and multi-sector program covering North East Afghanistan.
Under the authority of the Country Director, the Program Manager is responsible for the implementation and management of a specific project in coordination with the ACTED country strategy.
1. Ensure external representation of ACTED in relevant sectors
  • Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities:
Participate in technical and sectoral meetings to ensure visibility amongst local authorities;
  • Representation vis-à-vis Donors:
Participate in technical and sectoral Donor meetings and pass relevant information to the Area Coordinator and the Country Director;
  • Representation vis-à-vis international organisations:
Participate in technical and sectoral meetings and working groups involving NGOs and UN Agencies (OCHA, PNUD, UNICEF, FAO, etc.) and all other inter-governmental institutions;
Contribute to the creation of reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality of internal information as required;
More generally, the program manager is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.
2. Project Cycle Management
  • Project implementation:
Plan the various stages of project implementation;
Guide the implementation of the project and the methods of follow-up;
Manage project finances, logistics and materials;
Liaise with all internal and external counterparts of the project;
Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources;
  • Project reporting requirements:
Set up a clear timeline of reports to be submitted to project Donors;
Draft narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow up;
Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.
More generally, communicate systematically to the relevant Country Director or Area Coordinator on project progress and planning.
3. Provide Relevant Technical Expertise
  • Ensure that technical quality and standards are considered during project implementation:
Collect technical information and analyse associated opportunities and risks;
Identify relevant technical authorities and partners, and propose formal partnership and/or contracts.
  • Undertake quality control:
Analyse technical added-value and project impact;
Set up technical evaluation exercises during and following implementation.
4. Oversee Program Staff and Security
  • Guide and direct program staff:
Organise and lead project coordination meetings;
Prepare and follow work plans with each project member;
Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts);
Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life;
Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of project personnel according to the project development;
Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues andpass appraisal forms to the Country or Area Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.);
Ensure a building of capacity amongst technical staff in the relevant sectors.
Enforce a strict adherence to ACTED ethical principle and to the laws and regulation of the Government of Afghanistan, ensuring that anti corruption procedures are followed by the staff;
  • Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff:
When requested by HQ, undertake interviews to assess technical abilities of expatriate candidates living in the country.
  • Oversee staff security:
In cooperation with the relevant Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform the Country Director or Area Coordinator and Country or Area Security Officer of developments through regular written reports;
Contribute to the updating of the security guidelines in the project area of intervention;
Ensure that security procedures are respected by each member of the project team.
5. Identify Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Collect information and tools employed for project implementation;
Draft memos detailing lessons learned and best practices identified during the project;
Share such memos with internal and external partners;
Communicate such information to the Country Director or Area Coordinator, to Regional Support Offices and to HQ Reporting Department.
IV. Qualifications:
  • At least 3 to 5 years of field experience in program management and coordination;
  • Familiarity with the aid system, and ability to understand donor and governmental requirements;
  • Excellent communication and drafting skills;
  • Able to coordinate and manage staff and project activities;
  • Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
  • Being a strong team player and adept at creating a strong team spirit;
  • Ability to organize and plan effectively;
  • Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of people;
  • Ability to travel and work in difficult conditions and under pressure;
  • Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset
V. Conditions:
  • Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
  • Additional monthly living allowance
  • Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
  • Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
  • Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package
How to apply:
Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org
Ref : PM/AFG/SA
ACTED
Att: Human Resources Department
33, rue Godot de Mauroy
75009 Paris
FRANCE
Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 33
For more information, visit us athttp://www.acted.org