The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities.
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries.
AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
AKF (Afghanistan) has been selected as a grant agent of Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to implement its System Transformation Grant in Afghanistan. AKF one of two co-grant agents responsible for developing a 3-year Program Document (proposal) including a results framework, risk matrix, detailed budget, technical narrative, and workplan. The AKF-led consortium is made up of local NGO partners, who will implement the GPE STG across Afghanistan, focusing on community-based education (CBE), public school support, girls' education, and Education sector systems strengthening. The project is currently in its Program Document (proposal) development application phase that will run for 6-months. The 3-year project will begin after the Program Document application is completed, submitted, and approved by GPE.
The grant is managed by a Kabul-based Education team within AKF. The Program Coordinator, Education (GPE STG) will be responsible for supporting the Lead Proposal Writer with the development of the Program Document (proposal) application, and will be coordinating with partners, AKF national teams, Education Strategic Working Group (Ed-STWG), and the Ministry of Education (MoE). This role requires consolidating and simplifying information collected through workshops and discussions with stakeholders and ensuring the Program Document (proposal) incorporates feedback from relevant stakeholders.
The scope of work includes:
• Support Lead Proposal Writer with developing Program Document application, in coordination with AKF technical and M&E teams, consortium partners, other local education stakeholders.
• Maintain relationships with consortium partners, MoE, and other key education stakeholders including representing the consortium in external meetings and working groups at the national level.
• Collaborate with relevant Education stakeholders, AKF finance, technical, and M&E teams, and other stakeholders to gather and consolidate the necessary Program Document (proposal) content, input, and feedback.
• S/he will be based in Kabul.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Program Document (Proposal) Development Planning: Support program team with reviewing Education sector documents and summarize key points of each document including the Afghanistan Education Sector Strategic Plan (AESSP), Ministry of Education (MoE) NGO guidelines, vulnerability studies, and other relevant documents.
• Quality Oversight and Compliance: Review GPE / AKF guidelines and Program Document (proposal) application requirements and share them with consortium partners to build their understanding of compliance requirements; support Lead Proposal Writer with reviewing Program Document (proposal) application documents (ex: workplan, technical narrative, log frame) to ensure alignment with GPE / AKF requirements and standards; and provide feedback to partners and AKF staff on document compliance.
• Program Document (proposal) application preparation: Support the Lead Proposal Writer with writing, editing, and consolidating information / feedback from partners into the Program Document (proposal) templates and submit (in coordination with AKF’s National / Global teams and consortium partners) to the relevant stakeholders, as per approved workplan.
• Program Document (Proposal) Design: Consult partners and AKF Education team, on selecting evidence-based, gender equitable, and effective community / school-based education programs to ensure relevant information is used to write rationale for the Program Document (proposal); advise AKF M&E team to collect primary and secondary data to inform geographic selection; and coordinate with education stakeholders to map out the current status of existing programs supporting CBE, public school support, and vocational trainings for girls, to prevent duplicate programs in selected provinces.
• Strategic Communications: Represent the consortium and build constructive relationships with education stakeholders when engaging in the development of the program document; share program document development progress and briefs/presentations with the MoE, Ed-STWG, and other relevant stakeholders, including attending forums/events; and respond to ad hoc requests on the Program Document (proposal) progress / information to AKF global and national SMT, MoE, and other education stakeholders.
• Coordination and Facilitation: Coordinate design workshops with AKF education technical and M&E teams, Ed-STWG, and consortium partners to design program approach, results framework (including outcomes, outputs, activities, indicators), and other Program Document (proposal) application requirements (ex: workplan and risk matrix); ensure results from workshops are shared with the Lead Proposal Writer and reflected into the Program Document; and ensure timely sharing of Program Document information to partners and between AKF global, technical, M&E, and finance teams.
• To carry out responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy.
• To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.
OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
NA
JOB SPECIFICATION
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Project Management, or related field; and/or a minimum of 5 years’ experience coordinating education or development programs / proposals.
• Experience coordinating multi-lateral development proposals / projects in challenging environments, particularly in conflict and post-conflict contexts.
• Ability to delegate tasks to a diverse team and respond effectively to tight deadlines and high-pressure situations.
REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
• High level of cultural adaptability and sensitivity and ability to cope with a challenging security situation.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively within a diverse project team consisting of local and international staff.
• Ability to effectively respond to and manage expectations from a variety of stakeholders.
• Diplomatic, flexible, and facilitative coordination skills.
• Excellent written and spoken communications skills in English
APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 04th September 2024.
Important Notes:
• Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying.
• No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
• Salary scale: Grade C based on NTA Salary scale.
The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge.
Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org. Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.
Aga Khan Foundation - Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AKF (Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.
Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times.
By sharing your cover letter and resume with AKF (Afg) in response to this job application, applicants consent AKF (Afg) to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AKF Afghanistan to AKFA.HR@akdn.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.
Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org
The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in... Read More
