Project Manager (Ghazni, Afghanistan)

Technical Education and Skill Training Organization TEST has been operational in Kabul-Afghanistan since 2010, focusing on community-based food and livelihood security through agriculture, health, education, peace building, emergency relief, activities. TEST also helps strengthen organizational capacity of local institutions. As a result of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, many households are experiencing a precipitous decline in access to and consumption of adequate nutritious food leading to a dire nutrition outlook especially for children under 5 years and pregnant and lactating women (PLW). The household food insecurity has had a significant impact on the prevention of acute malnutrition and management of moderate acute malnutrition, with many cases deteriorating to severe acute malnutrition. These new shocks are occurring against a backdrop of severe chronic food insecurity and persistently high levels of acute malnutrition and child mortality. Considering this deteriorating trend, TEST has entered into a Field Level Agreement (FLA) for general food and Cash distribution with WFP, that includes a floor, Salt, Oil, Pullses and been in Ghazni Province of Afghanistan TEST Afghanistan seeks a qualified and experienced WFP Project Manager (PM) to oversee the TEST food and Cash distribution program in partnership with World Food Program (WFP). The PM will lead four field distribution teams (Survey, Scope Registration, Food and Cash Distribution) implementing a food and Cash intervention in Center of Ghazni Province. Job Summary: The Project Manager will supervise Six Field Team Leaders to ensure that WFP commodity is properly managed and distributed, to provide necessary reporting to Head Office and WFP, and to ensure field teams receive the required logistical support. The PM will also responsible for Government line Ministries and Directorates for coordination. The Project Manager will be based in Ghazni Field Office, with considerable field travel, and will report to the TEST Head of Programs.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership and Representation
• Provide strategic vision and leadership to the WFP Project Team
• Represent TEST and the project teams at all relevant donor and stakeholder meetings
• Participate in all strategic planning meetings and activities
• Provide regular updates to partners, country program leadership, and government and non-government coordination bodies as requested
• Establish and maintain good working relations with external agencies and organizations, local partner organizations, provincial and local government offices, and all stakeholders in the respective geographic areas
• Facilitate exchange of information and experiences;

Program Quality and Management
• Liaise with WFP to develop and implement monthly and weekly plans for the teams, and to resolve problems in a timely and efficient manner
• Coordinate team members’ travel to the field and ensure field teams have relevant and timely access to all necessary information, equipment and support
• Provide logistical backup for the distribution teams in the field
• Ensure, in consultation with the Head of Programs, project compliance with WFP and TEST standards and TEST principles of justice, solidarity, and subsidiary
• Facilitate appropriate problem solving relevant to TEST programming activities
• Provide technical and managerial advice to the country program regarding the implementation of the FLA
• Train, manage, and monitor a team of four Field Team Leaders responsible for assessment, community relations/coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and oversight of all TEST programming activities in Ghazni Province.
• Work with TEST M&E staff to develop and implement monitoring systems, and ensure that M&E systems are properly implemented and reported by team members
• Manage the collection of field level data and reports, and ensure submission of timely reports and invoices to the Head of Programs
• Lead implementation of the TEST policies and procedures that are mandatory for the emergency response
• Ensure project compliance with donor and TEST regulations
• Approve project expenditures, carry out regular budget tracking and take the lead on official requests for modifications when needed

Business Development
• In collaboration with the Head of Programs and Business Development Manager, identify and preposition for new funding opportunities
• Support the development of new project proposals (assessments, project design, writing, technical review, etc.)

Supervision
• Ensure annual performance planning and reviews of staff performance in keeping with TEST’ performance management system. Mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork
• Ensure staff compliance with all TEST administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations
• Identify training needs for team members under his/her supervision and support the development of Program Quality capacity building for team members and partners
• Hold regular meetings with project staff
• Assist staff in maintaining healthy relationships with local government, and cooperating organizations through regular contacts, visits and fulfillment of program requirements

General
• Ensure that TEST policies and regulations are followed by all team members; especially field security guidelines
• Coordinate with the Security Manager and Country Representative on security to provide any pertinent security information to the security manager and receive updates on a regular basis
• Participate in TEST head office  meetings and workshops on strategic planning and agency-wide initiatives as requested by supervisor
• Travel to the field regularly to directly oversee program implementation
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of Programs

Agency-wide competencies (for all TEST staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of TEST and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Emergency Competencies
• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

Program Manager Competencies
• Sets clear goals and manages toward them
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
• Manages financial resources with integrity
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

• Monitoring: Facilitates the use of monitoring data during daily, weekly bi-weekly and monthly participatory reflection events and other form with partners and other stakeholders to inform project decisions.
• Learning: Promotes the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders.
• Analysis and Critical Thinking: Makes informed decisions based on: key findings, trends, comparisons between sub-groups, and by making explicit important assumptions.

Technical Education and Skills Training Organization (TEST) is an Afghan non profit, non political and nongovernmental civil society organization dedicated to the welfare and progress of Afghan people residing inside or outside of the country.  TEST seeks a world of hope, tolerance and social justice where poverty has been overcome and everyone lives in dignity and security. TEST aims to be a National Force and a partner of choice with in a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty.

TEST has been registered with Ministry of Economy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on February 25th, 2010 in Kabul Afghanistan under license number (1613), Ministry of Labor Social Affairs Martyrs and Disables under license number (4), Ministry of Women’s Affairs under license number (534), Ministry of Education under license number (323) and Ministry of Culture with Youth Directorate under license (114).

Required Experience and Qualifications:
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing humanitarian food programs, preferably with TEST and WFP
• Master’s level degree or equivalent in related field
• Minimum three years proven management experience
• Experience in supervising teams and in leadership roles in general
• Experience of living and working in difficult conditions
• Strong coordination and organizational skills
• Data management skills and experience
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations
• Ability to communicate and develop reports to a high standard in English
• Able to spend time in difficult field conditions