The Position:
The Project Manager is responsible for the management and oversight of the European Union (EU)-funded project titled “Support to Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition and Psychosocial Support Services in Afghanistan”. The project focuses on the areas of reproductive and maternal health, covering eight selected districts in Afghanistan for the period of October 2024 to September 2027. The Project Manager is based in UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office and will report directly to the Program Coordinator.
The Project Manager will oversee all components of the project and manage internal coordination of the implementation of the project in liaison with relevant thematic leads and field/area offices. He/she will ensure adherence to EU and UNFPA programming and reporting standards, as well as ensure timely and quality implementation of the project.
The Project Manager will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders and UN agencies to enable effective implementation of the project that aims to improve the reproductive health of women, adolescent girls, and young people in Afghanistan.
The Project Manager will promote and mainstream the work achieved by the EU-supported project.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
In a highly complex operating environment, you will play a vital role in promoting the project's partnership, synergy, and alliances with implementing partners (IPs) in civil society.
You will coordinate with various units working in the country office in the areas of women’s health, adolescents and youth empowerment, and psychosocial support ensuring linkages with population dynamics and data, and providing information on the achievement of results in the implementation of the EU project.
You will coordinate with various units working in the country office in the areas of women’s health, adolescents and youth empowerment, and psychosocial support ensuring linkages with population dynamics and data, and providing information on the achievement of results in the implementation of the EU project.
You would be responsible for:
A. Project Management and Coordination:
● Oversee preparation of the EU project implementation frameworks by I/NGOs, civil society and UN agencies. Introduce into the work plans formulation process the results of annual reviews and mid-term evaluation, best practices, as well as innovative strategies and approaches;
● Facilitate the identification process of program partners, including the assessments of their capacities and the design of a capacity development plan;
● Coordinate the EU project implementation, guiding and orienting implementing partners and various program units and introducing effective modalities and practices of implementation. Ensure compliance of the EU project implementation with UNFPA technical and program policies and guidelines;
● Ensure adherence to reporting requirements of the EU: Advise and report on the achievement of the EU project results, proactively measuring substantive progress and the effective utilization of financial and human project resources using appropriate monitoring and measuring mechanisms and tools;
● Ensure regular analysis and update of trends, threats, and risks related to the implementation of the project that can have a potential impact on the continued provision of services.
B. Results-Based Management and Knowledge Management:
● Analyze progress, technical, and other substantive reports from implementing partners and stakeholders and recommend required follow-up actions;
● Prepare reports and concept notes for the EU project;
● Provide strategic guidance and technical support to project monitoring and evaluation studies, and other relevant research undertakings, in close collaboration with the country office M&E team;
● Promote a learning environment and systematic information-sharing within the various units working on the EU project;
● Ensure that state-of-the-art thinking and research are integrated within the EU project implementation frameworks. Identify sources of technical knowledge both in the country and outside;
● Lead the preparation of reports and publications relevant to the project;
● Systematize project lessons learned and ensure that these are incorporated into the Country Office knowledge-sharing system;
● Facilitate the formulation, finalization, and quality assurances of the knowledge management products relating to the EU project and ensure appropriate dissemination and sharing in the inter-agency for a and with relevant stakeholders.
C. Advocacy and Policy Dialogue:
● Assemble briefing and background materials in the areas of women’s and youth reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention, mitigation and response, and population and data;
● Facilitate and participate in any EU Forum to ensure effective coordination, information sharing, and visibility for UNFPA's contribution and mandates.
D. Networking and Partnership:
● Mobilize and network with national and international development partners in the areas of UNFPA mandates and project focus;
● Collaborate on substantive issues with I/NGOs, UN agencies, research institutions, and professional societies in Afghanistan;
● Facilitate donor liaison in coordination with the country office Resource Mobilization team and coordination as agreed in the EU donor agreement for regular meetings, reporting and monitoring of the project interventions.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree in any of the following disciplines: public health, education, medical science, social science, sociology, gender, international relations, international development, economics, communications, management or another related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
● At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in international development including programme design, management and coordination; of which at least 5 years in the field of development of sexual and reproductive health and rights is required; and young women-centered programming in international organizations is of an added value.
● Demonstrated experience and expertise in providing technical assistance to a wide range of stakeholders including the government at all levels and leadership in the programming areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights and empowerment of adolescent and youth.
● Solid experience in project/programme management including planning, monitoring, and reporting, and evaluation of development projects.
● Experience in conducting financial monitoring and budget management.
● Good knowledge and hands-on experience on working with government institutions at national and sub-national levels, international development organizations, private sector, CSO, and media.
● Good knowledge on rules and regulations of the UN system would be an asset. Previous experience in knowledge management, partnership building, and resource mobilization is an asset.
● Proven ability to lead teams to achieve demonstrable and high-quality results is required.
● Experience in project implementation at field level is essential; experience from a developing or humanitarian context is an asset.
● Working experience in South Asia is an asset.
● Demonstrated skills in basic office software programs are required.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN language is desirable.
Required Competencies:
Values:
● Exemplifying integrity,
● Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
● Embracing cultural diversity,
● Embracing change
Core Competencies:
● Achieving results,
● Being accountable,
● Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
● Thinking analytically and strategically,
● Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
● Communicating for impact
Functional Competencies:
● Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
● Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships,
● Delivering results-based programme,
● Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
Managerial Competencies:
● Providing strategic focus,
● Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
● Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance,
● Making decisions and exercising judgment
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
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