Assistant Country Director – Programmes

Job posted by: Concern Worldwide - Tue, 27 Jan 2015

Job Details:

Organisation: Concern Worldwide

Deadline Wed, 11 Feb 2015

Job type: Contract

Location: Afghanistan

Tweet Recommend Google + LinkedIn Email

 

Reference:

RD/AF/ACDP

Country:

Afghanistan

Job Title:

Assistant Country Director – Programmes

 

Contract Grade: Grade C

Contract Length: Two Years

Date needed by:  June 2015

New Post or Replacement: Replacement

Accompanied / Unaccompanied: Unaccompanied

Exact Job Location: Taloqan, Afghanistan

Reports To: Country Director

Responsible For: Programme Coordinators x 8, (Technical Programme Coordinators X6 – Livelihoods, Education, Engineering, Humanitarian programmes, Senior Programme Coordinator and M&E Coordinator, Provincial Coordinators X 2)

Liaises With: ACD Systems, HR Manager and Country Finance Controller

 

Job Purpose:

As a member of Country Management Team and head of programmes, to contribute to the management of the country programme in Afghanistan with specific responsibility for developing and implementing quality programmes based on clear programme strategies consistent with the country and organisational strategic plans, policies and mandate of Concern. 

Main Duties & Responsibilities (Including Training Role):

a) Senior Management

  • Assist the Country Director in the development and management of the country programme through active engagement
  • Contribute to the roll out of the Country Strategic Plan (2014-2016)
  • Ensure that all programmes are designed, managed and implemented in conformity to Concern’s policies, strategies, Programme Frameworks, CSP (2014 -2016)
  • Take active part in the Country Management meetings and take responsibility for decision making
  • Ensure overall understanding and adherence to all Concern policies and roll out across the country programme

 

b)  Programme Management

  • Ensure effective operational management of Concern Afghanistan’s programme through line management of key programme staff
  • Ensure that the programme is designed, managed and implemented in accordance with Concern policies, strategies, frameworks and Afghanistan’s Country Strategic Plan;
  • Ensure that the entire programme team from coordinators to the community mobilisers have an in-depth understanding of key policies and approaches such as How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty and all programming emanates fully informed and influenced by these policies and approaches.
  • Convene regular programme review meetings to take stock of overall programme management and learning
  • Ensure the development and maintenance of Results Frameworks for the all programmes
  • Ensure optimal quality and timely submission of reports and proposals for Concern and external Donors
  • Ensure the programme meets high standards in terms of design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation through Concern Worldwide’s Project Cycle Management System + Accountability and Programme Quality Guidelines and PME Framework.
  • Undertake monitoring visits to programme areas and provide feedback to managers + staff
  • Preparation of programme budgets collaboratively with programme and finance staff. Track programme expenditure through monthly management and quarterly financial accounts prepared by the finance department.
  • Ensure that Concern Afghanistan retains its capacity to respond to emergencies within its programme areas and is responsible for managing any emergency responses within the programme areas.
  • Responsibility for identification and assessment of local civil society partner (inc. networks and LNGOs) and subsequent management of the scale and scope of partnership
  • Ensure compliance to donor policies, procedures and procurement (EU, IA, DFID, NSP, etc.)

 

c)  Human Resource Management

  • In consultation with HR ensure sufficient human resources for the programme to meet its objectives
  • Ensure staff comply to the Programme Participants Protection Policy (P4) and Code of Conduct (CoC)
  • Maintains system of objective setting and performance appraisal for programme staff
  • Capacity building/ training responsibilities of direct reports – e.g. work with direct reports to coach and train in order to develop their own management skills
  • Ensure that direct reports set objectives, conduct reviews and perform PDRs with their staff
  • Monitoring direct report performance based on agreed job descriptions and ensuing their compliance with all Concern policies

 

d) Security 

  • Ensure programme staff awareness of and adherence to field’s security management system
  • Liaise closely with the ACD-Systems (overall security focal point) and review security related issues in the CMT to ensure adherence to security protocols that respond to the situation

 

e) Representation & Communications & Networking

  • Produce regular and timely programme reports for the Country Director
  • Maintain open dialogue with regional and local government
  • Network with regional based donors, UN, NGO and  Local partners
  • Active participation in key clusters such as shelter, food security, DRR, WASH, Nutrition, Education, etc. both at national and regional levels.
  • Liaison with Overseas Department (esp. with Desk Officer on programmatic issues)
  • Liaise with SAL and assist the CD with management of SAL technical advisors + technical consultants

 

f) Organisational Learning

  • Seek opportunities for Concern Afghanistan to contribute to Concern Worldwide’s organisational learning through participation in relevant workshops, trainings and liaison with SAL

 

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required: 

  • Third level qualification (Diploma/ Degree)
  • Three years relevant overseas experience in emergency insecure operational environments
  • Three years relevant programme and management experience in a development context

DESIRABLE

  • MA/Diploma in programme management, programmes planning or related thematic subject (FIM, Health, HIV/AIDS, Education, Gender)
  • Training and facilitation skills

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

  • empathy with organisational Vision, Mission, Goals + Objectives
  • proven track record in proposal and report writing
  • ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines
  • ability to surface problems and recommend solutions
  • methodical and thorough
  • knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft word and excel
  • strong budget management skills
  • ability to motivate and develop skills of others
  • analytical and problem solving skills
  • ability to work both as part of a team & independently
  • cross cultural awareness and sensitivity (esp. gender and ethnicity)
  • tolerance and acceptance of diversity 

 

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date. CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behaviour expected of them.  In this context staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment.   By signing the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct candidates acknowledge that they have understood the contents of both the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and the Programme Participant Protection Policy and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.

Concern receives a substantial amount of funding from external donors each year.  Increasingly donors are introducing requirements whereby future funding is conditional on Concern ensuring that the names of any new employee or volunteer do not appear on terrorism lists generated by the European Union (List of person, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC No. 2580/2001 applies), the US Government (Office of Foreign Assets Control list of specially designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and the United Nations (Consolidated List).  Any offer of employment (either paid or voluntary) with Concern Worldwide will not be made pending a clearance check being conducted on the applicant.  For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.



Premium & featured jobs