Program Officer (Kandahar, Afghanistan)

Program/Department Summary

The Nova-INVEST (Introducing New Vocational Educational Skills’ Training) program is a vocational training and employment program funded by the US State Department of Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) to be implemented in the provinces of Kandahar and Herat in its fourth phase. INVEST is Mercy Corps’ flagship Technical Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) program running since 2011, focusing primarily on delivering technical vocational skills training for six months’ to vulnerable Afghans (IDPs, returnees and host community members from 15-40 years old, including youth and women) with the aim of increasing their opportunities for self or waged employment after the training period. The Nova-INVEST program will provide vocational training and apprenticeships to [2] 4,000 participants in 2 provinces (Kandahar and Herat) for 3 years, while working in close coordination with relevant government stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA), Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR), Ministry of Women’s Affair (MoWA), Ministry of Education (MoE), Governor’s Office, Community Development Councils (CDCs), District Development Councils (DDCs), Provincial Development Councils (PDCs), District Development Assemblies (DDAs), Shuras, community elders; partner INGOs/NGOs, private sector actors such as Chambers of Commerce and business/producer associations.

General Position Summary

The Program Officer (PO) is responsible for the day to day coordination, implementation and management of the program in Kandahar or Herat. The PO will oversee activities including oversight of budget, staff and resources, keeping track on deliverables and ensuring timely reporting of project activities. The PO will continuously follow up with program teams to ensure the program is on-target (meeting indicators, deadlines), within budget and implemented with quality according to the program’s design; liaising with program participants, the community and private/government stakeholders accordingly. The Program Officer reports directly to the Program Manager and supervises the Vocational Training Center Officers. The PO works closely with the Vocational Training Coordinator based in Kabul and the Market Linkage Assistant in Kandahar or Herat. The PO will work closely with other relevant departments in Mercy Corps’ provincial office, such as MEL, Finance, HR, Operations, Procurement and Security to ensure proper program implementation according to policies and procedures. The Program Officer will regularly monitor vocational training centers, building staff capacity and providing support to participants who are part of the apprenticeship program. The position holder is also expected to undertake the coordination role on behalf of the Youth Vocational Skills’ Portfolio while dealing with provincial authorities, UN Agencies, clusters working groups, donors and others, when required in the province of his/her post.

Essential Job Responsibilities

General:

• Overall provincial program coordination, responsible for day to day implementation of activities, budget management, staff oversight, resource management, and program reporting.
• Set and execute project work plans in accordance to agreed program deliverables, ensuring activities are conducted on time and on budget, whilst adhering to Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures.
• Ensure correct allocation of responsibilities within the team
• Supervise and ensure timeliness of service deliverables relative to organizational objectives.
• Acquire and assess information, provide depth and relevance to project designs and implementation.
• Evaluate service delivery performance against organizational requirements and established objectives.  Advise teams and management on service platform performance, proposing remedial solutions to sustain delivery.
• Develop and report monthly and quarterly programme outcomes to supervisor on time.
• Help developed PRs (Purchase Request) and keep in process according to PI (Project Initiation) or requirement for the program.
• Effectively interact with the Logistic and Administration department and ensure that all duties and office management issues are accomplished.
• Assist with general program operations and VTCs activities.
• Initiate constant feedback with team and/or partners on project for quality and deliverables.
• Uphold functional teams that ensure daily quality operations deliverables as per strategic objectives, while fostering innovation, open communication and strong teambuilding.
• Representation of the program within communities and government and private stakeholders. [3]
• Build/ maintain community rapport and acceptance of Mercy Corps and the program
• Liaise with and support key program staff to ensure that programs are running effectively and making best use of project resources.
• Conduct himself/herself both professional and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Provide written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary.
• Ensure all programs data process in Google Drive
• Assist with any other task or duty assigned by the Senior Program Manager
• Other duties as assigned

About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps

is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Country Summary

Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build a more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan, since 1986 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the country and of those communities where we work. Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan continuously since 1986 with a large portfolio of programs addressing the promotion of sustainable licit livelihoods, agriculture development, youth vocational training, Renewable Energy and natural resource management; it has helped more than 2.5 million Afghans through this wide-range of community–based agriculture and economic development programs. Mercy Corps is working in Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Herat, Takhar, Badakhshan, Parwan, Baghlan, Samangan, Balkh and Nangarhar.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.