ICLA Project Manager – National

NRC is looking for a national ICLA PM, based in Mazar, Afghanistan with strong leadership skills and at least five years in a senior-level project management position development and/or humanitarian programming environment. The ideal candidate should be knowledgeable of the context in Northern Afghanistan, Balkh, Faryab, Kunduz, and Sar-e-Pull Provinces, in particular, have experience in needs assessment, project monitoring, and evaluation, and programme development and experienced in geographical access negotiation and representation, including with local authorities, I/NGOs, and communities.

Please note this role is national, only candidates from Afghanistan can be considered.

The purpose of the Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA) Project Manager position is technical development, strategic direction, and quality assurance of NRC Afghanistan’s ICLA activities and programme in Northern region. S/he is also responsible for the overall planning and coordination of all ICLA interventions, either directly within the ICLA core competency or as an integrated approach across other CCs, across the Area Offices, including in the field offices Faryab, Kunduz, and Sar-e-Pul.

Responsibilities and duties

• Line management for project staff
• Adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures
• Contribute to the development of Country, Area, and core competencies strategies, initiate and participate in the development of relevant ICLA projects
• Coordinate and manage ICLA project implementation (activities, budget, and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies, and donor requirements
• Implement technical direction and ensure high technical quality of projects
• Provide regular progress reports to the Area Manager and the ICLA Specialist
• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist
• Develop and manage project budget (in cooperation with Cs) and coordinate across CCs
• Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders
• Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy
• Development of holistic and needs based programmes, including cash-based interventions and marked based programmes

Programme Development:

• Ensure availability of up-to-date needs assessment to inform programme design and advocacy efforts
• Ensure all relevant stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of projects as appropriate
• Under the line management of the Area Programme Manager, contribute towards drawing up plans, proposals, and budgets for new projects/extensions of projects in conjunction with the relevant team, both programme and support staff
• Support multi-sectoral emergency preparedness and response as required by the context and management
• Closely coordinate with all CCs in the Area Office to maximise on integrated programming and promote durable solutions

Programme Management:

• Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of the ICLA projects across Balkh, Faryab, Kunduz and Sar-e-Pull consistent with the project management cycle (including reporting to the desired quality and standard)
• Overall budget management for all the ICLA projects/portfolio implemented in the Area, including the projects implemented in Faryab, Kunduz and Sar-e-Pull, and ensure appropriate burn-rates are maintained and that solutions to over/under expenditure are applied
• Responsible for providing technical and implementation support and guidance to field-based ICLA staff in implementing NRC project(s), including but not limited to providing instructions on work plans, approving expenses/procurement, recruitments, reporting, etc., in close coordination and collaboration with the sub-office management team based in Faryab, Kunduz and Sar-e-Pull
• Responsible for providing timely and methodical updates regarding needs and trends specific to the responsible CC to the Area Programme Manager and Area Manager
• Ensure ICLA M&E roles and responsibilities are adhered to

Logistics, Finance, and Human Resource Management:

• Ensure appropriate Financial and Logistical NRC systems/ procedures are adhered to within the ICLA team (including supply chain management);
• Ensure timely and accurate development of procurement plans, recruitment plans, and spending plans per project and ensure the same is shared with relevant support colleagues;
• Responsible for ensuring timely submission of monthly ICLA cash forecast to Finance and relevant Procurement Requests to Logistics;
• In line with project needs and funding availability, continuously and proactively plan ICLA staff requirements and liaise with HR and Admin to ensure the same;
• Performance management of all direct reports, including regular 1:1 meetings and completion of work and development plans;
• Ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival, and departing team members are debriefed;
• Responsible for ensuring capacity development and training of all ICLA personnel.

Coordination and Representation:

• Responsible for attending relevant ICLA meetings and coordination fora, representing NRC strictly within the limit set out by the Country Office;
• Conduct senior representation at provincial and district levels and promote strong working relationships with government counterparts;
• In line with NRC’s standards, ensure communication plans are implemented, stakeholders are informed on NRC’s activities, and the organisation is well accepted by communities;
• In charge of producing weekly and monthly ICLA situation reports, flash reports and any other reports as requested by the Area Programme Manager and Area Manager.

Other Important tasks:

• Ensure the inclusion of cash-based interventions and marked based programmes in country and area-based strategies and their implementation across and within NRC’s core competencies
• Provide an enabling environment for the implementation of cash-based interventions, including multi-purpose cash assistance, emergency cash responses

Skills, knowlged and experience

• At least five years in a senior level project management position development and/or humanitarian programming environment
• Knowledge of the context in Northern Afghanistan, Balkh, Faryab, Kunduz and Sar-e-Pull Provinces in particular
• Experience in needs assessment, project monitoring and evaluation, and programme development
• Experience of geographical access negotiation and representation, including with local authorities, I/NGOs, and communities
• Good communication skills, with capacity to directly influence and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style
• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high and diverse workload

Education:

• Bachelor degree in law, sharia, business administration or other related field. Master’s degree preferred

Language:

• Local Languages (Dari)
• English (Professional in both written and verbal)

We offer:

• Monthly Salary based on NRC Afghanistan Salary Scale
• NRC has medical coverage for staff, plus 4 dependents
• Eid Bonus once per year
• Leave and Holidays accordingly Afghanistan Labour Law
• Top up Credit card on monthly basis

Please find the Job Description herewith

Please note this role is national, only candidates from Afghanistan can be considered

NRC might review applications before advert deadline, therefore interested candidates are encouraged to apply early