Afghanistan: Education Project Director

Requisition ID: req2123

Job Title: Education Project Director

Sector: Education

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Afghanistan-Kabul (Kabol)

Job Description

SCOPE OF WORK

The IRC Afghanistan is currently expanding its education portfolio in line with its five-year Strategic Action Plan (SAP). A priority outcome for the country program is that 6-14 year olds have literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills, according to their development potential. In order to help achieve this goal, the IRC aims to work with the Ministry of Education- Afghanistan by building its capacity in various areas, in particular Academic Supervision and Social Mobilization.

The IRC Afghanistan is applying for a second round of SDC funded project and intends to pre-recruit a Project Director who will be responsible to lead the project activities that are multi-facetted in close collaboration with the Youth and Education Department and its project's partner. The Project is for four years with a possible extension of 6 years, total 10 years.

The Education Project Director will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the SDC project and serve as the consortium focal point. Working in close coordination with the Youth and Education, he/she will ensure quality program implementation, including providing strategic guidance to consortium staff and overseeing budget management, performance management, M&E, partnership management, and relationships with external actors, including government authorities in particular Ministry of Education, humanitarian working groups, development partners, and project partners. S/he will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all consortium partners and the donor.

S/he will report to the Deputy Director of Programs and will receive technical guidance and support from the in-country Education Coordinator and the IRC's Education Technical Unit.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction in all aspects of project implementation
• Oversee project planning and quality assurance, including ensuring the timely achievement of all program activities
• Provide strategic guidance in unifying approaches between programs and consortium members in different geographical areas
• Organize periodic meetings in order to discuss program progress; record and follow up on the execution of agreed action points
• Provide managerial direction and guidance in line with the program's expected outcomes
• Oversee key project planning deliverables using results based management approaches and tools
• With the support of the Education Coordinator and DDP, develop specific strategies for cross-cutting themes (capacity building, gender equality, environmental sustainability) for the program
• Maintain open and effective communication amongst the consortium and project team members
• Oversee day-to-day coordination and delivery of project activities in conjunction with staff and partners
• Oversee that program activities are conducted in a timely and professional manner in line with the program work-plan and in full coordination with national and local authorities as well as other partners.
• Coordinate with local authorities to facilitate the participation of local communities in the planning and implementation of activities and undertake periodic reviews of program activities to assess effectiveness, efficiency, achievement of results and compliance with procedures.
• Represent the consortium and the IRC to SDC and other external stakeholders, effectively communicating challenges, successes, and contextual changes throughout the course of the project. Work with the finance and grants teams to provide financial and technical management to ensure the best use of resources by preparing sound budgets, monitoring project expenses and ensuring timely submission of financial reports to the donor;
• Monitor budget utilization and ensure proper financial management and utilization of funds;
• Ensure that the findings of ongoing conflict and security assessments are continually integrated into project design and implementation, working with the technical coordinators;
• Coordinate with program and operations staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support project activities including logistics, procurement, security, and human resources;
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility;
• Manage and evaluate project staff performance.

Other: Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs Supervisory responsibilities: Dotted administrative line to the project Finance Manager, M&E Manager, Partnerships Manager, and Senior Education Program Manager

Other internal and/or external contacts: grants unit; finance, M&E, HR and supply chain departments; Education Coordinator

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• University degree in development studies, education, sociology, or other related field
• At least 8 years of relevant professional humanitarian or development experience with an international organization, including extensive exposure to education programming
• At least 4 years of experience in a managerial position and demonstrated capacity in office management, including capacity building of staff, preferably in the field of education
• Familiarity with SDC or other international donor guidelines strongly preferred
• Excellent budget planning and management skills, previous experience effectively managing multi-million dollar grants required
• Previous experience managing diverse teams to deliver results on short timelines, including the development of spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans
• Strong verbal communication skills and effective in representation and liaison with external actors
• Excellent spoken and technical writing ability in English, including report writing
• Promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle stress and pressure with professional grace
• Previous experience in an insecure or conflict-affected setting strongly preferred, in particular Afghanistan

SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSING

The Education Project Director will be based in Kabul, Afghanistan with frequent visits to the project sights; the security situation in the Afghanistan continues to be volatile. The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in insecure environments. This is a non-accompanied position. The Education Project Director will live in shared housing.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=bmF0YWxpZS5hcGNhci41MzQ1MS4zODMwQGlyY2NkLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ