Program Manager at UMCOR Afghanistan

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Last Date: December 14, 2010

Position: Program Manager, UMCOR Afghanistan
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Reports to: Head of Mission

PURPOSE: UMCOR Afghanistan is implementing a 12-month program in Kabul Province aimed at supporting the sustainability of IDP/refugee returns through a range of livelihood, water sector, infrastructure, and shelter interventions.
The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of UMCOR’s program in Kabul Province are implemented in compliance with the grant agreement and according to schedule. The PM oversees a staff of local program personnel including engineers, site foremen, and community mobilizers. The PM reports to the Head of Mission, and works closely with the UMCOR Afghanistan Finance Director as well as support, administrative and logistical staff.

This is an unaccompanied post. Housing is shared with other expatriate UMCOR Afghanistan colleagues. Duration of this position: One Year

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Specific responsibilities include, but is not limited to, management of beneficiary selection and self-help shelter construction; procurement oversight and contract management for infrastructure construction activities; management of water sector projects, including a cash-for-work scheme employing local labor; organizing distribution of NFIs; and reporting on all program activities as per donor and UMCOR internal requirements.
Primary Responsibilities:
Program Management
• Monitor work plans, in conjunction with program staff, for implementation of the Kabul Province program; oversee implementation of all program activities and ensure work plans are followed or adjusted as needed.
• Maintain oversight of the program budget and expenditures and ensure timely use of funds.
• Manage a team of program staff charged with implementation of the program, providing oversight, performance evaluation, and capacity building as needed.
• Ensure compliance with UMCOR and donor policies and procedures as they relate to project management.
• Ensure consistent high quality outputs and comprehensive monitoring, documenting and photographing of all activities and their impacts.
• Actively coordinate program activities with other humanitarian and government agencies working in the area.
• Provide regular situation reports to the HoM, and timely program reports according to donor and internal UMCOR requirements.
• Facilitate donor and other visits to field sites.
• Closely monitor security in areas of work through existing formal and informal channels.
• Make recommendations to the HoM about necessary actions to protect staff and asset security.

Program Development/Grant Management
• Assists in identifying potential funding sources both on-line, through the print media and any other announcement mode.
• Assist HOM in requests for proposals (RFPs), develops proposal plans, outlines and schedules, and prepares concept papers in line with UMCOR program development policy.
• Participates in project development and ensures that a monitoring for results plan is included in all projects.
• Liaise with Project and Finance staff on regular basis to ensure adequate quality of reports, concepts, proposals etc and compliance with funding requirements
• Other tasks as assigned by the HoM.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• A degree in international relations, humanitarian affairs, civil engineering or a related field is desirable.
• Three years of experience in field-based rural community reconstruction and development; additional program management experience in income generation, WATSAN projects, agricultural development, or other spheres of humanitarian assistance is a benefit.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES:
• Previous experience implementing US government-funded programs is highly desirable;
• Proven ability to supervise staff and operate successfully in a cross-cultural environment with experience in the region;
• Preferably one year of experience in a conflict zone or emergency area;
• Strong communication, leadership and teambuilding skills;
• Prior experience working in Afghanistan or Central Asia;
• Fluent written and spoken English; written and spoken knowledge of languages in Afghanistan is a benefit;
• Computer literate; and
• Must be flexible, culturally sensitive and willing to work under difficult work and living conditions.

TO APPLY:
Submit your cover letter (notes) and resume through our website at
http://jobs-umcor.icims.com/umcor_jobs/jobs/candidate/job.jsp?jobid=1291&mode=view. Application deadline is December 14, 2010. No telephone inquiries please. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Thanks for your interest in UMCOR.