SFL Job Description: Program Manager – Takhar Province, Afghanistan

Position Title: 2248 Program Manager – Takhar Province, Afghanistan

Country: Afghanistan

Reports To: Country Director

Estimated Length of Service: 24 months

Job Summary:

Shelter For Life International – Afghanistan (SFL) currently implements relief/development/ projects in Northern Afghanistan in four main programmatic areas: small business enterprise, agricultural development, water management, and community-based organizational development. SFL has funding to support this initiative in Takhar; Kunduz and Baghlan Provinces and anticipates additional long-term funding to augment this program in the future. SFL has been working in this region for nearly six years, focusing on a number of issues including: shelter, water, infrastructure, roads, hygiene training, small business enterprises, and agricultural advancement.

Responsibilities of the Program Manager:

The 2248 Program Manager will be responsible for ensuring quality implementation of this USDA supported program; monitoring and evaluation; reporting; and will represent SFL to donors in region.

The 2248 Program Manager will be supported by the Regional Program Manager in Taloqan; Country Director in Kabul and the Program Development Office in the US HQ. The Program Manager will manage the program activity by working with and supporting program staff. Expatriate program staff will report to this position as required.

Specific Objectives for the position:

• Hire, train, and supervise staff based in the Taloqan Field Office working on the 2248 Program with an emphasis on building local staff capacity
• Manage 2248 Program budget and related projects
• Produce accurate and timely reports for submission to donors
• Represent SFL to donors; communities and local government in the program activity areas
• Manage the activities of expatriate staff assigned to the 2248 Program
• Any other SFL work related tasks assigned by the Regional Program Manager; head of Program Development/HQ; the Country Director; or Director of International Operations or his/her equivalent.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Regional Program Manager; Country Director; Head of Program Development/HQ; Technical Consultants working on programs in the region; Project Managers, Engineers, Coordinators; SFL Staff Interns

External: Local government ministries, donors, community leaders, local/international NGO offices and UN agencies.

Personal Skills:

• Project management skills
• Sensitivity to the local culture
• Team leadership; personnel management skills
• Coordination and strategic planning skills
• Research; analysis and excellent writing skills
• Ability to think strategically and innovatively
• Ability to assess complex programs and situations rapidly and form appropriate responses
• Strong listening skills; excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
• Ability to respond practically and operate successfully in difficult field conditions.
• Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic; gain respect among staff, local community leaders as well as local government ministries and donor organizations
• Ability to assess the local security environment and manage corporate response appropriately

  Preferred Qualifications:

  • Project Management Training (Course work completed in PMI)
  • Training in Community Development
  • Advanced degree in a development, technical engineering, agricultural, or related field, or professional experience in the same areas
  • Required three or more years experience in developing countries with a good understanding of development issues
  • Experience in the areas of education, livelihood, agriculture, small business development, gender, water, or engineering.
  • Preferable experience in Central Asia, South Asia, or countries with predominant Muslim populations
  • Experience with training/mentoring and capacity building of staff.
  • Preferable experience in grant/proposal writing experience
  • Willingness to travel to and work in remote areas for extended periods
  • Collaborative attitude; willingness to share housing with colleagues in challenging conditions
  • Aptitude for languages, or willing to learn Dari would be advantageous.
  • Training in Security