Program Manager – Preparing for Peace Project

Job Description

Job Title: Program Manager – Preparing for Peace Project

Department: Academic Affairs

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Reports to: Vice President of Academic Affairs

No. of position: 1

Vacancy #: AF-Int-21-2020

Position Announcement close date: April 28, 2020 (The position is open until filled)

Position Summary

The Office of Academic Affairs at American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan (AUAF) seeks ONE full-time, nine-month Program Manager (PM) to administer the project “Preparing for Peace” under the auspices of the European Union and funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). The PM appointment is dependent on funding, and is for a nine-month contract. Responsibilities include the coordination and completion of the Preparing for Peace project on time within budget and within scope. The PM will oversee all aspects of the project, i.e. monitor performance of all project staff and implementing partners, set deadlines, assign responsibilities and ensure progress of project as per the AUAF agreement with SIDA, the PM will keep upper management fully informed and prepare detailed monthly reports regarding the status of project.

Key Outcomes Include

• Successful implementation of the Preparing for Peace project

Responsibilities

• Policy and strategy formulation
• Coordination and Systems Implementation and Control
• Compliance, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Human Resources Management
• Reporting

1. Leadership and Strategy

• Establish and implement the Preparing for Peace Program delivery
• Act as liaison to program partners
• Design the communication strategy and action plan and ensure alignment between AUAF and IWPS

1. Steering Committee and the Program Work

• Manage Steering Committee, including organization and facilitation of information management/ reporting with program work.
• Coordinate with the program’s steering committee, the Institute for War and Peace Studies and other relevant partners to ensure close alignment with all partners’ strategies and other relevant initiatives in the sector;
• Coordinate the cornerstone programs
• Contribute to the development of the project strategy and action plan with IWPS

1. Network and Partnerships

• Promote the project activities and vision
• Develop strategic partnerships and participate in the relevant existing networks

4- Operations

• Provide support to the Steering Committee and facilitate information management/reporting with program work
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework
• Develop a methodology and selection criterion to expand the work of the project and include additional partners’ program
• Manage and elaborate all reporting deliverables to the steering committee, the monitoring consultant, the donor.
• Advise on the development of communication materials on the activities and services relevant to the project
• Coordinate with Monitoring Consultant to ensure regular information flows
• Provide oversight of budget, including regular engagement with accountancy support, project partners and Mentoring Consultant to ensure alignment with Project budget
• Coordinate monthly/quarterly financial reports to as required by Project Agreement
• Ensure adherence to Procurement protocols and procedures.

5- Management

• Manage human resources of the project (1 administration and communication officer, field researchers, peace analyst)
• Manage funding related to the project and the implementation of program work

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Political Science/Public Administration or Public Policy or related field
• Proven experience in Program Management with a major donor agency
• Demonstrated experience in financial management
• Knowledge of one national language of Afghanistan preferred

Skills

• Organization
• Accounting
• Conflict resolution
• Leadership
• Risk management
• Planning

Benefits and Environment

This is an exceptional opportunity to work at a recently formed university in an emerging and rapidly changing society.

The American University of Afghanistan offers a generous benefits package that includes a competitive salary, air transportation, university-provided accommodation, and paid international health care insurance for international employees.

International faculty and staff live and work on AUAF’s 50-acre main campus or the 5-acre campus across the street. The AUAF campuses utilize state-of-the-art security infrastructure and protocols and are protected by a large professional security corps. Transportation between the adjacent campuses or to approved locations and the airport is by armored, guarded vehicles.

To Apply

This position is open to candidates authorized to work in Afghanistan as local employees.

To apply, please send as a single PDF or Word (doc.) format: a cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV), to jobs@auaf.edu.af no later than April 28, 2020. Please, include Vacancy# AF-Int-21-2020 and Job Title “Program Manager” in the subject line of the email, otherwise the application will not be considered. This position is open until filled. Applications in languages other than English will not be reviewed. Please be advised that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. A written test or example of work may be used as a form of screening.

If hired, the successful applicant is expected to provide official proof of academic degrees (transcripts sent from the degree granting school directly to AUAF).

AUAF does not charge recruitment fees to applicants.

AUAF is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. AUAF follows a strict non-discriminatory policy in its selection and employment practices. All applicants will receive equal consideration and applicants from all ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

AUAF strives to ensure that all employees work in safe environments, but safety and security are to a great degree contingent on various factors within Afghanistan that are outside of AUAF’s control. Applicants should carefully consider and evaluate their safety and security in Afghanistan.

About the Organization

Overview

Founded in 2006, the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) is a private, non-profit, nationally-accredited university offering an American-style liberal arts education. We are a dynamic university with a student population of over 1,000 students.

The AUAF’s Academic Affairs department is seeking qualified candidate for full time position as Program Manager based in Kabul.