Livelihood and Food Security Project Manager (Herat, Afghanistan) – National Position

Please note this is a national position, therefore NRC can only consider national applications.

Purpose of the Job:

The purpose of the Livelihoods & Food Security (LFS) Project Manager position is technical development, strategic direction, and quality assurance as well as monitoring of NRC Afghanistan’s LFS activities and programme in western region, as well as relevant staff mentoring and capacity development. The LFS Project Manager is expected to follow NRC’s standards, procedures, and guidelines for project governance applicable for the particular projects. S/he is also responsible for the overall planning and coordination of all LFS interventions, either directly within the LFS CC or as an integrated approach across other CCs, across the Area Office, including in the Badghis sub-office.

For more information about this position, click on Job Description and NRC Grade Structure.

Generic responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to NRC policies, handbooks, procedures and SOPs/guidelines;
• Line management of LFS project staff in Herat, and technical oversight and shared operational management of senior programme staff in sub-office (i.e. Core Competency Coordinators/ Officers who are line managed by the Field Manager/ Coordinator);
• Contribute to the development of Area and CC-specific strategies, initiate and participate in the development of LFS projects and interventions;
• Coordinate and manage LFS CC project implementation (activities, budget, and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies, and donor requirements;
• Implement technical direction and ensure high technical quality of projects across operational provinces;
• Provide regular progress reports to the Area Programme Manager, Area Manager, and the LFS CC Specialist;
• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist;
• Contribute towards actively implementing and supporting ‘integrated’ (multi-sector) programmes, cross-sectorial exchange of lessons learned, and adherence to relevant quality standards;
• Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills;
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders;
• Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy.

Specific responsibilities

Programme Development:

• Ensure availability of up-to-date needs assessment to inform programme design and advocacy efforts;
• Ensure all relevant stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of projects as appropriate;
• Under the line management of the Area Programme Manager, contribute towards drawing up plans, proposals, and budgets for new projects/extensions of projects in conjunction with the relevant team, both programme and support staff;
• Support multi-sectoral emergency preparedness and response as required by the context and management;
• Closely coordinate with all CCs in the Area Office to maximise on integrated programming and promote durable solutions.

Programme Management:

• Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of the LFS projects across Herat and Badghis consistent with the project management cycle (including reporting to the desired quality and standard);
• Overall budget management for all the LFS projects/portfolio implemented in the Area, including the projects implemented in Badghis, and ensure appropriate burn-rates are maintained and that solutions to over/under expenditure are applied;
• Responsible for providing technical and implementation support and guidance to field-based LFS staff in implementing NRC project(s), including but not limited to providing instructions on work plans, approving expenses/procurement, recruitments, reporting, etc., in close coordination and collaboration with the sub-office management team based in Badghis;
• Responsible for providing timely and methodical updates regarding needs and trends specific to the responsible CC to the Area Programme Manager and Area Manager;
• Ensure CC-specific M&E roles and responsibilities are adhered to.

Logistics, Finance, and Human Resource Management:

• Ensure appropriate Financial and Logistical NRC systems/ procedures are adhered to within the LFS team (including supply chain management);
• Ensure timely and accurate development of procurement plans, recruitment plans, and spending plans per project and ensure the same is shared with relevant support colleagues;
• Responsible for ensuring timely submission of monthly CC-specific cash forecast to Finance and relevant Procurement Requests to Logistics;
• In line with project needs and funding availability, continuously and proactively plan CC-specific staff requirements and liaise with HR and Admin to ensure the same;
• Performance management of all direct reports, including regular 1:1 meetings and completion of work and development plans;
• Ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival, and departing team members are debriefed;
• Responsible for ensuring capacity development and training of all LFS personnel.

Coordination and Representation:

• Responsible for attending relevant CC-specific meetings and coordination fora, representing NRC strictly within the limit set out by the Country Office;
• Conduct senior representation at provincial and district levels and promote strong working relationships with government counterparts;
• In line with NRC’s standards, ensure communication plans are implemented, stakeholders are informed on NRC’s activities, and the organisation is well accepted by communities;
• In charge of producing weekly and monthly CC-specific situation reports, flash reports and any other reports as requested by the Area Programme Manager and Area Manager.

Qualification

• At least five years in a development and/or humanitarian Livelihoods/Food Security programming environment, including three years’ experience in a senior level project management position;
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts;
• Documented results related to the position’s technical responsibilities;
• Knowledge in protection mainstreaming, community outreach/engagement, community capacity building, and/or community-development oriented programming;
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of Project Cycle Management and team leadership;
• Fluency in English and Dari is essential, both written and verbal as well as understanding of Pashtu though not mandatory;
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office, including strong skills in Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Knowledge of the context in western and north-western Afghanistan, Herat, Badghis, and Nimroz Provinces in particular;
• Experience in needs assessment, project monitoring and evaluation, and programme development;
• Experience of geographical access negotiation and representation, including with local authorities, I/NGOs, and communities.
• Good communication skills, with capacity to directly influence and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style;
• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high and diverse workload.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, business development/ entrepreneurship or related field, Master’s degree preferred.

Personal Qualities

• Planning and delivering results
• Working with people
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Handling insecure environment
• Empowering and building trust
• Managing resources to optimize results
• Managing performance and development

Language:

Dari
English
Pashto

We offer:

• Monthly Salary based on NRC Afghanistan Salary Scale.
• NRC has medical coverage for staff plus 4 dependents.
• Eid Bonus once per year.
• Leave and Holidays accordingly Afghanistan Labour Law.
• Top up Credit card on monthly basis.

Please note this is a national position, therefore NRC can only consider national applications.