The RAWNAQ project is an EU-funded project which is implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council and Cordaid. The program aims to create employment opportunities for Internally Displaced People and Returnees through private sector development initiatives. The project has started in January 2020 and will continue till June 2023, implemented in Herat and Kandahar cities of Afghanistan.
The project has two pillars; provision of technical assistance and constant BDS support to micro, small and medium enterprises ((M)SMEs) to further grow, expand and scale-up business operations and undertake innovative solutions to overcome challenges in the selected value chains, and, on the other hand, supporting youth from displaced and vulnerable host communities/families living in those areas to secure and retain decent jobs in these MSMEs.
Background Information - Job-specific
The Regional PMEAL Officer is responsible for Cordaid’s Regional Field Office in the Southern Region of Afghanistan (COA-SR), based in Kandahar province. S/he will support the PMEAL team, Private Sector Development Team and (COA-SR) Provincial Coordinator in building, functioning and running an effective PMEAL system for COA-SR. Furthermore, s/he will ensure learning and incorporate best practices into the programmes/projects planning process, provide technical/PMEAL support to COA-SR programme/project staff to monitor and implement their programme/projects effectively and smoothly in Cordaid’s Southern Region (SR) of Afghanistan.
In addition to these PMEAL responsibilities, s/he will also be the main focal point for Cordaid’s main stakeholders in the southern region, including being responsible for attending relevant coordination and cluster meetings, expanding and strenghthening relationships with stakeholders and (potential) donors, and reporting on these meetings to the Kabul Office.
Functional Responsibilities
The Regional PMEAL Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Field Coordinator based in Kandahar province with a matrix reporting line to the PMEAL Director based in Kabul. S/he will provide overall technical/PMEAL support to the Southern Regional Field Office of Cordaid, particularly to programme and project teams in the Southern Region and to its Regional Field Coordinator.
S/he will maintain effective coordination within COA-SR to ensure timely and correct measurement of results, outcomes and impacts, including close monitor implementation process of projects and to facilitate learning towards continuous improvements in the delivery of programme. S/he would also facilitate a systematic approach towards continuous knowledge generation and share learning.
Programme Planning and Management
Support the Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme Manager and work with the Southern Regional Field Coordinator in providing PMEAL support during RAWNAQ project planning and implementation.
Contribute to an Operational plan for Cordaid’s programmes and projects in the Southern Region to ensure necessary planning and implementation takes place smoothly and efficiently at the provincial and at regional level.
Assist/support the Kandahar Regional Field Coordinator in translating Cordaid’s Programme objectives into specific results in designated programme areas.
Conduct timely monitoring of programmes and projects to ensure correct measurement of results, outcomes and impacts and to facilitate learning towards continuous improvement in the delivery of programmes and projects.
Prepare fact-based messages and quality material, particularly the collection of good success story/case studies that reflect the smooth and succesful implementation of activities in the Southern Region.
In close coordination with the Regional Field Coordinator, supervise/monitor local partners to enable them to include quality, results orientation and integrity in the delivery of projects and programme through contractual arrangements with local partners.
Organise capacity assessments of partners’ PMEAL capacity and plan capacity building for them accordingly.
Identify and inform the PMEAL and Programme teams of successes, challenges and lessons learned in programming in the southern region.
Contribute in planning, conducting and/or respond to Cordaid performance evaluation reviews and surveys in Southern Region.
Result Based Monitoring/Implementation of Programmes/Projects
Undertake regular field visits to gather information on results related to activities ensuring that all relevant data from the project implementation areas are captured, documented and reported in a timely and results-based manner.
Analyze M&E data and produce reports with useful statistical analysis and presentation (charts, tables, histograms, box plots) as necessary in a timely manner.
Work closely with the Regional Field Coordinator and Operations/Programmes colleagues in ensuring efficient and effective implementation and monitoring of programmes/projects managed by COA-SR.
Ensure that M&E findings are reflected and their recommendations are incorporated in next quarter activities and implementation plans.
Develop and oversee the implementation of appropriate data collection and analysis instruments, methodologies (e.g. survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, key-informant interviews) and data/information dissemination/utilization plans.
Ensure the effective functioning and implementation of the beneficiary Complaint and Response Mechanism (CRM) in COA-SR.
Build capacity and understanding among Cordaid staff, partners and contractors on beneficiary accountability and CRM in COA-SR.
Ensure monitoring findings are recorded in DevRelts in a timely manner.
Knowledge and Lesson Learning Management
Contribute to proactive dissemination and use of knowledge/lessons learned that are gained through MEAL activities among COA-SR teams and the Regional Field Coordinator.
Organize and facilitate learning events in order to capture best practices and lessons learned when a project closes or as and when required.
Ensure timely information on progress and results is available by compiling, organizing, analyzing, and preparing data for situation reports, fact sheets, donor reports, briefing notes, and other reporting and communications products, including visual material.
Document and share lessons learned and best practices timely and ensure that the knowledge gained contributes to the improvement of projects result and effectiveness.
Support project implementation by providing timely information around project successes to be scaled up as well as challenges to allow course correction’ throughout the life of the programme.
Stakeholder coordination and relations
Attend relevant coordination meetings with important stakeholders in the southern region, including cluster meetings.
Establish, maintain, and strengthen relations with important stakeholders in the southern region.
Report back to Kabul on any opportunities that come up for programming in the southern region.
Undertake other duties as may be assigned by the Regional Field Coordinator or requested by the PMEAL Manager/Director.
The successful delivery of results by the PMEAL Officer directly impacts the performance of programmes and projects implement by Cordaid as well as its reputation as an effective partner in achieving positive results that lead to flourishing communities in fragile settings.
Skills
Ability to communicate ideas and concepts in writing/orally, clearly and convincingly.
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models to introduce new approaches and strategic innovations.
Ability to monitor and evaluate Programme/project performance effectively and efficiently.
Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility and open mindedness.
Familiarity with the aid system and understanding of donor and governmental requirements.
Strong interpersonal, networking, and communication skills.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Excellent interpersonal, co-ordination and negotiation skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Strong commitment to integrity, professionalism, creativity and innovation, learning, accountability, planning and organization, results orientation, teamwork and technological solutions.
Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
Promotes knowledge management in Cordaid and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
Ability to support planning, results-based management and reporting.
Good knowledge and best practices in planning.
Good knowledge and best practices in PMEAL.
Good understanding of project management principles and practices.
Good understanding of the stakeholder and donor environment in the southern region.
Management and Leadership
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedbacks.
Consistently approaches work with energy, positivity and constructive attitude.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills.
Relevant University Bachelor’s degree
Experience of working with INGOs, particularly in the Southern Region.
Knowledge of project cycle management, logical framework approach and etc.
Knowledge of experience with PMEAL activities and participatory monitoring approaches.
At least 3 years of experience that combines strategic, managerial and technical leadership in the area of planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and/or learning.
Strong communication skills for effectively working with stakeholders and co-workers.
Good capacity building and management skills, including financial management, communications and intercultural cooperation skills
Good knowledge of statistical analysis programme.
A networker, diplomatic and results oriented, with the ability to work under stressful and time bound project conditions.
Flexible and capable of working in a stressful context.
Prior knowledge of the provinces is an asset .
Good oral and written communication skills in English language.
Good oral and written communication skills in Pashto and Dari languages.
Please submit your CV and cover letter in one PDF file. Your email subject should be CRD00179/22 Regional PMEAL Officer otherwise, it will not be considered as valid application.
Please note that applications received after the closing date and without the Subject line will not be given consideration.
Only shortlisted candidates whose application meets the above criteria will be contacted for test/interview.
Note: Only application send to the below address will be considered. Applications send to any other address even within the organization cannot be considered.
Important Note:
Applicants should copy and paste the Vacancy Announcement (VA) Number which is CRD00179/22 Regional PMEAL Officer into the email subject line when submitting the required documents. Please do not add any other information in the subject line of your email except CRD00179/22 Regional PMEAL Officer. Please do not add any additional words or space in the VA Number. Applications received without a VA Number will not be considered.
Jobs.Afghanistan@cordaid.org
About Cordaid, Afghanistan: About RAWNAQ: The RAWNAQ project is an EU-funded project which is implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council and Cordaid. The program aims to create employment opportunities for Internally Displaced People... Read More
