Program Manager South – Afghanistan

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Program Manager South

Code: SR-28-3147

Duty station: Kandahar

Starting date: 01/01/2023

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Programme Coordinator

Supervision of: Projects team

Dependents: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.

With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff.

It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritises urgent humanitarian needs will be essential.

At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

Recognising that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities, and potentially scale up its response.

General purpose of the position

The general purpose of the position is to ensure the implementation of the INTERSOS programme in Kandahar Province and the coordination of the projects in the region South. The Programme Manager South will be responsible for the activities planning and monitoring; ensuring the quality of implemented activities in compliance with donor’s rules, relevant Standard Operating Procedures, Sphere Standards, International Principles and Guidelines, INTERSOS Charter of Values and Code of Ethics.

He/she will also be in charge of staff supervision and evaluation, of ensuring a proper management of the allocated budget to achieve the planned objectives as per work-plan, of maintaining the relations with donor’s representatives and relevant local stakeholders.

Main responsibilities:

• Ensures the planning, implementation and monitoring/evaluation and sets targets as included in the project’s description.
• Guarantee an efficient financial management for the projects in compliance with INTERSOS’ model and donor regulations.
• Team management and projects integration assurance for teams working at the targeted health facilities, mobile units and centers in order to guarantee project quality as per required standards.
• Deliver quality reports for donor, authorities and INTERSOS in good quality and timely manner, including the findings in terms of impact/changes at the level of beneficiaries achieved through the projects.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Programme activities planning, implementation and monitoring

1. Preparing regularly update of projects activities work plans and related financial plans with the contribution of the national staff ensuring timely and quality implementation in compliance with the defined projects’ strategy, as well as INTERSOS and donor guidelines

2. Guarantee the application of procurement procedures and donors rules for reporting and implementation

3. Periodic field visit to the projects’ locations to ensure the quality of the intervention in compliance with the internal and donors’ standard

4. Preparation of proper and timely reports to be submitted to the Country Programme Coordinator and to the donor.

5. In collaboration with M&E team, develop tools to assess, analyse and evaluate the impact of the project, the evolution of the crisis and related evolving needs of target populations in the project areas.

6. Work closely with others Programme Managers to ensure the integration of the project with other mission’s ones and/or with other sectors of intervention

7. Managing the budget properly to achieve the projects’ objectives. Supporting eventual budget and programme revision

8. Support the development, implementation and evaluation of the mission strategy and projects, providing updated information, inputs and recommendation for new and on-going interventions in the country

9. Identify capacity gaps in key national staff and actively support their capacity building.

10. Train, coordinate and supervise the Project Managers and evaluate their performance.

11. Ensure the projects’ staff respect INTERSOS rules and regulations, and adheres to INTERSOS Charter of Values and Code of Ethics

Projects reporting

12. Prepare the projects’ narrative and support in preparing financial reports according to INTERSOS and donor requirements.

13. Ensuring all support documents (means of verification) and general projects’ documents are properly filled in and filed.

14. Contributing in preparing and submitting new project proposals

Coordination and representation

15. Along with the Programme Coordinator, establish and maintain collaborative relations with relevant donor officers, local authorities, local institutions, partners, project stakeholders and other organisations working in the project areas

16. Participate in meetings with relevant donor’s program and finance officers at central or field level following Country Programme Coordinator guidance. Proactively participate in relevant coordination meetings at national, regional, governorate and field level as required

17. Ensure regular updates to donor representatives in coordination with the Country Programme Coordinator.

Required profile and experience

Education

Hold an advanced degree in social science or any related field​

Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of direct professional experience working as project manager on humanitarian projects/programmes, including financial management responsibilities.
• Demonstrate minimum 3 years’ experience in the implementation of multi-sector humanitarian programming in complex emergencies

Professional Requirements

Experience in protection is an added value

Languages

Excellent written and spoken English​

Personal Requirements

• ​Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment
• Very strong interpersonal skills: strong communication and diplomatic skill
• Practical and problem-solver
• Ability to deal with heavy work pressure