Program Officer

Job Summary The Program Officer will play key role and will support program planning and implementation of assigned program activities. The incumbent will work closely with Program Coordinator/Manager, MEAL, and finance teams, as well as external stakeholders to ensure donor compliance and requirement. Key Responsibilities: A. Program Implementation: Support the effective implementation of all assigned projects in accordance with approved proposals, budgets, work plans, ToRs, donor agreements, and organizational policies. Monitor overall project progress against approved activities, targets, indicators, timelines, and budgets. Provide regular guidance and support to Project Managers and field teams to address implementation challenges. Review project implementation plans and ensure timely completion of planned activities. Conduct regular field visits to monitor project progress, quality, compliance, and community engagement. Identify implementation gaps, risks, delays, and operational challenges and recommend appropriate corrective actions. Ensure effective coordination between Program, MEAL, Finance, Procurement, HR, and other departments. Ensure that program activities are implemented in accordance with donor requirements and relevant technical standards. Promote accountability to affected populations, safeguarding, PSEA, gender, protection, inclusion, and community participation throughout project implementation. Follow up on monitoring findings, evaluation recommendations, audit observations, and donor feedback. Support project start-up, implementation, review, amendment, and close-out processes. Ensure proper documentation and filing of project implementation records and supporting evidence. B. Program Coordination: Facilitate effective coordination between ACDO Head Office, field offices, project teams, and senior management in coordination with the Program Coordinator. Coordinate with relevant government authorities, UN agencies, donors, clusters, partners, and other stakeholders. Represent ACDO in coordination meetings, technical working groups, Clusters, and other forums as assigned. Maintain effective communication with donors and partners regarding project progress, challenges, achievements, and required actions. Coordinate regular project review meetings and follow up on agreed actions. and sectors. Support resolution of implementation and coordination issues between departments, field teams, partners, and external stakeholders. Maintain updated records of key coordination activities, stakeholder contacts, commitments, and follow-up actions. Support effective coordination during project assessments, monitoring visits, evaluations, and donor missions. C. Program Reporting: Develop and review submission of high-quality narrative and programmatic reports in accordance with donor and organizational requirements. Review project reports submitted by Project Managers and ensured that reported achievements are accurate, consistent, evidence-based, and supported by documentation. Ensure that narrative reports clearly reflect progress against approved objectives, outputs, indicators, targets, and work plans. Coordinate with MEAL and Finance to ensure consistency between narrative, indicator, beneficiary, and financial information. Support preparation of monthly, quarterly, interim, annual, final, and other donor reports as required. Consolidate information from different projects for management and organizational reporting. Maintain an updated reporting calendar and ensure that all reporting deadlines are tracked and met. Ensure that donor comments and reporting feedback are addressed appropriately and within agreed timelines. Document project achievements, success stories, lessons learned, challenges, and good practices. Ensure proper filing and archiving of final reports and supporting documentation. D. Program Development and Resource Mobilization: Identify new funding and program opportunities aligned with ACDO's strategic priorities and areas of expertise. Monitor donor priorities, calls for proposals, funding opportunities, and humanitarian/development trends. Maintain an updated funding opportunity and project pipeline. Support the development of concept notes, proposals, expressions of interest, project designs, logical frameworks, budgets, and work plans. Conduct or coordinate needs assessments and situation analyses to inform new program development. Identify potential partnerships and consortium opportunities with UN agencies, INGOs, local organizations, government institutions, and other stakeholders. Support donor engagement, proposal clarification, negotiations, and project start-up processes. Support development of innovative, integrated, and sustainable program approaches. E. Program Quality and Compliance: Ensure compliance with approved project documents, donor agreements, ACDO policies, and relevant standards. Promote results-based and evidence-based programming. Ensure that project targets and indicators are regularly reviewed. Work closely with MEAL to strengthen monitoring, accountability, learning, and data quality. Support internal and external monitoring, evaluations, audits, and donor reviews. Follow up on recommendations and corrective action plans. Promote learning and application of lessons learned across projects. Ensure that program documentation is complete, accurate, and readily available for review. Job Requirements Qualifications : Essential: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in education, Economic, Engineering Development, Management, or related field. Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in program implementation, coordination, development and reporting humanitarian/recovery context. Strong knowledge of donor rules and regulations (e.g., UN agencies, EU, World Bank, USAID, etc.). Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills in English (other languages are an asset). Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment. Strong knowledge of educational theories, methodologies, and best practices. Proven experience in capacity building and training. Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Reporting Line The Program Officer will report directly to the Program Coordinator and work closely with the Program Development and Implementation Departments and relevant stakeholders. Language skills: Fluent oral and written skills in English; Fluent in Pashto/Dari