Project Manager – Economic Inclusion (PCIO)

Role summary The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development, and promotion of private-sector enterprises and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote, or resource-poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health. POSITION OBJECTIVE Project Manager Economic Inclusion [EI] will be Located at Project Cluster implementation Office [PCIO] Kabul and will be overall strategic coordination, implementation, delivery oversight, and accountability for Economic Inclusion activities under the CLDRM (ADB) project in 6 provinces of Herat, Kabul, Ghazni, Logar, Nuristan and Kunar. The incumbent reports to the Senior Manager Project Implementation, PCIO Kabul and will be directly involved in the project development, implementation and monitoring support to the 6 provinces. The role ensures high-quality implementation through effective planning, systems management, cross-departmental coordination, financial oversight, learning, and donor compliance consideration. Duties and responsibilities JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Project Leadership and Implementation • Lead and oversee the implementation of the ADB-funded CLDRM project’s Economic inclusion interventions through Project Cluster Implementation Office [PCIO] in 6 provinces of Kabul, Herat, Ghazni, Logar, Kunar and Nuristan. Ensure timely delivery of Economic Inclusion interventions such as:  Vocational skills development  Micro and small enterprise support  Access to finance through Community Based Saving groups • Provide strategic directions to ensure effective integration of Economic Inclusion and Community-Led Disaster Risk Management approaches. • Work closely with NPO EI sector, project partners, stakeholders, and communities to strengthen coordination, share experiences, and facilitate learning. • Develop the Economic Inclusion team structure and program in PCIO Provinces. Develop ToR’s of provincial EI staff and participate in recruitment process. • Develop YPO and technically support provincial teams in smooth implementation. Matrix Management and Cross-Departmental Steering • Mobilize and coordinate technical units responsible for EI sectoral implementation (MSME support, financial inclusion, skills development, MERL, operations, etc.). • Clarify roles, responsibilities, deliverables, and timelines across departments activities. • Facilitate joint planning, problem-solving, and performance reviews to ensure integrated project delivery. • Ensure effective communication and accountability within multi-disciplinary teams. Policy and Strategic Management • Develop multi-year strategic plan for the economic inclusion sector for the newly added 6 provinces. Review, update and improve the strategic plan on a regular basis. • Build working relations with the relevant government departments such as the Ministry and provincial directorate of Economy, MOLSA, TEVTA, MOIC and other relevant ministries. • Participate in relevant policy forums and working groups initiated by the government and civil society. • Track the national and provincial policy processes that relate to community development and provide regular updates, analysis, and recommendations to National EI sector. • Work closely with partner organizations and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) agencies in the provinces on Community development related mandate and strategic plan. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination • Coordinate with governmental stakeholders and community stakeholders in project area. • Facilitate donors and other relevant stakeholders visit at provincial level. • Maintain clear communication with all stakeholders regarding project progress. • Facilitate reporting of achievements and coordinate field visits with stakeholders. • Build strategic partnerships with local and international partners related to community development in emergency management in all 6 provinces. • Conduct regular field visits to monitor progress, support provincial and district teams, and engage with stakeholders and community members. • Strengthen local capacity on improving agriculture production, Agri based livelihoods and Community based natural resource management and ensure community participation in planning, implementation, and evaluation. Risk Management, Gender Inclusion, and Safeguarding • Identify, monitor, and mitigate operational, financial, reputational, and contextual risks. • Ensure gender mainstreaming, diversity, and social inclusion are integrated across all project phases from recruitment to implementation and monitoring. • Promote equitable participation of women, men, and vulnerable groups in Agriculture based livelihood activities. • Ensure adherence to AKF-A’s Child Safeguarding Policy and maintain a safe environment for children and communities. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) • Work with the MERL team to ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation plans are in place, turn data into actionable insights to guide implementation, and disseminate results and learning. • Ensure that technical indicators are well-defined and use monitoring data to inform decision-making and adjust project strategies as needed. • Ensure capacity building and participation of the provincial teams in the articulation of the research needs based on the field realities in the agriculture-based livelihood and food security in respective provinces. • Develop and maintain a responsive system for streamlining and documenting the innovations and best practices. Planning, Reporting, and Compliance • Develop tools and systems for monitoring project and partner performance against plans, budgets, contracts, and MoUs. • Validate, consolidate, and submit high-quality narrative and financial reports in a timely manner. • Ensure strict adherence to the ADB and AKF regulations, Compliances and procedures. • Implement compliance measures to mitigate risks and ensure transparency. • Update RBPMF on monthly basis and the fact sheet. Financial and Procurement Management • Oversee project budget management in collaboration with the finance team, ensuring efficient and transparent use of resources. • Monitor expenditure at national and provincial levels to ensure alignment with approved budgets. • Prepare and implement procurement plans in line with donor and AKF-A policies and procedures. Knowledge Sharing and Learning • Organize workshops, learning events, and conferences to share best practices, innovations, and lessons learned. • Contribute to the design and development of future agriculture-based livelihood, food security and resilience-building programs. Capacity Building and Process Improvement • Capacity building of provincial staff in understanding of donor requirements. • Continuously improve project management strategies based on lessons learned and best practices. • Conduct regular field visits to assess implementation progress and gather insights. • Work with the HR to facilitate the development of relevant capacity building plans for the provincial Community Development staff of all 6 provinces. • Develop realistic performance objectives for the PCIO, AFS staff members, review the objectives on a regular basis, and provide appropriate coaching and technical backstopping on the job. • To carry out responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy. • To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training. OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Any other relevant additional responsibility delegated by supervisor. DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY • TBD Job requirements JOB SPECIFICATION • Bachelor's degree in business administration, International Development, Economics or any other related from a recognized university with 05 years of relevant work experience, including managing and leading sizable Economic Inclusion, Market development and Livelihood projects with 3 years leading a sector or in a managerial position. • Ability to work independently with an in-depth knowledge in MSME development, Vocational skills and formal and informal access to finance strategies and practices. • Experience in senior advisory or management positions in large community-driven development/ rural development projects; • Working experience in Targeted province of Kabul, Herat, Nuristan, Loger and Ghazni and Kunar. • Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English, Dari and Pashto. REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES • Attention to details and quality oriented. • Able and willing to travel throughout Afghanistan. • Well-developed analytical, conceptual and planning skills. • Proven team leadership skills, including ability to mentor and motivate staff. • Proven ability to think and lead strategically, plan effectively, set priorities and meet tight deadlines. • Knowledge of project sustainability and exit strategies, particularly related to government and community handover. • Strong ability to effectively manage multi-ethnic staff from diverse backgrounds. • Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate remotely with colleagues at a distance in the field.