PiN: Programme Support Officer /internship

People in Need is seeking for  Programme Support Officer /internship

Country: Afghanistan

Starting date: ASAP

Contract length: 1 year (with probation of 3 months)

Location: Mazar-e Sharif, with frequent travel to the field

Type of position: long term volunteer/ internship

Background on People in Need

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech NGO that provides relief and development assistant in over 20 countries around the world. Formed in 1992, it is the biggest organisation of its kind in post-communist Europe, providing relief where it is needed, and empowering civil society at home and abroad.

In Afghanistan PIN has been active since 2001, responding to humanitarian needs were they arise, and through targeted development programmes. Today PIN activities are conducted from programme offices in the provinces of Paktya, Nangarhar, Balkh, Jawzjan and Samangan as well as two central offices in Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, with 11 expatriate staff and over 240 national staff member.

PIN currently focuses on the main sectors of emergency relief, rural development and education, with support from a variety of key donors, including the European member states, Czech Development Agency, and ECHO.

PIN has a long term strategic commitment to contribute to the alleviation of suffering caused by extreme poverty and natural and man-made disasters in Afghanistan, by providing neutral and impartial relief and assistance, regardless of the prevailing national and international dynamics. PIN supports community based approaches and maintains a considerable field presence in Afghanistan. This approach is a core part of PIN, in order to ensure that our programming remains relevant and appropriate, and field exposure  represents an central compontent of the work of all staff.

Position profile

NRM, Livelihoods & Agricultural Programmes, Programme Support Officer (PSO) ensures the smooth implementation of the NRM, livelihoods and agricultural programmes of PIN in Afghanistan. The PSO will support reporting, programme development and administration. He/she will provide technical and management support to the department to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the implemented projects, and integrate them within a holistic program strategy.

The PSO reports to the Programme Manager, and is based in Mazar-e Sharif with frequent travel to the field as required.

Job Description

Sector Development & Monitoring

• Contributing to the development and implementation of NRM strategic priorities.
• Together with the Programme Manager, build upon the Natural Resource Management and Watershed Management approach of the programme, implementing the current activities, piloting new approaches, and ensuring that sustainable approaches are mainstreamed across the programme.
• Work with other Programme Managers to strengthen the integration of sustainable solutions across the programme portfolio in the target areas (Balkh, Samangan and Paktya provinces) in particular ensuring a strong integrated programmatic approach by understanding the resources limitations in the target area.
• Researching, piloting and evaluating sub-projects within the NRM programme to develop sustainable solutions to the problems being faced by agriculture based farming community.
• The PSO will oversee all monitoring activities, ensuring that monitoring systems comply with the PIN monitoring framework, verifying the quality of data collected, and producing internal and external reports on the impact of the project. In addition, the Programme Support Officer will be in charge of programme and project evaluations, both internal and external.
• For external evaluations, the PSO develops ToRs for consultants, and plans evaluation trips in collaboration with the Head of Programmes.

Administration and Management Support

• Human Resource management of the administrative staff and ensuring the smooth functioning of the programme, including development and oversight of procurement, contracts, HR folders, money requests, advances and advance clearance, and providing all required documents to Finance and Admin departments.
• Ensuring all required project documentation is collected, including beneficiary lists and agreements with communities.
• Ensuring that all documentation is properly archived within the PIN archiving regulations in hardcopy, and within the PIN Document Management System (ELO). Through close cooperation with the Programme Manager and Finance Officer, the PSO ensures that the Programme is in compliance with all donor regulations and guidelines.
• Development of staff job descriptions, as well as planning and developing ToRs for national and international consultants and advisors

Staff management and capacity building

• Provide strong leadership, coordination, capacity building and empowerment of five programme staffs- business and training officer, SHG coordinator, finance administrator, project administrator and M&E Associate.
• Ensure all program staffs are effectively using the performance planning and management system, monthly time sheets, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.
• Assume responsibility of overall programme and human resource management, cumulatively a minimum of two months/year, during annual leave and/or absence of the programme manager.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Document and Knowledge Management: Ensure that all information and experience in the field and during the implementation of the programme is documented and stored appropriately, and methods for the sharing of such knowledge are utilized.
• Training & Capacity Building: The PSO is responsible for training the national staff in appropriate sectors related to the implementation of the project. Together with the Programme Manager, key national staff should be identified and special programmes for capacity building should be implemented.

Reporting and Coordination

• Reporting (internal and external):  In cooperation with the Programme Manager, provide regular reporting according to PIN’s internal reporting structure, and ensure that all donor reporting requirements are produced in a timely and accurate fashion. Ensure the timely production of financial reports together with the Finance Officer.
• External coordination and representation: Under the leadership of the Programme Manager and the Head of Programmes, participate in relevant coordination meetings at national and regional level (Kabul and Mazar) as required, and work with the relevant line ministries in order to broaden the impact of the programme.
• Advocacy: Support PIN advocacy goals by providing material and reports as required based on the programme experiences and a broader understanding of the context in which PIN operates.
• Ensure that cross-cutting agendas and principles of PIN such as gender equality and non-discrimination are implemented in the NRM project.

Media Focal Point for PiN Afghanistan

• Working in collaboration with the other PiN departments and thereby developing articles and media stories on a periodic basis- writing and editing in-house magazines, case studies, speeches, articles and annual reports;
• preparing and supervising the production of publicity brochures, handouts, direct mail leaflets, promotional videos, photographs, films and multimedia programmes.

Job Requirements

• Minimum Master’s Degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Agriculture / Natural Resources Management or a development related subject.
• At least 1 years relevant experience focused in the management/ advisory position of development programs involving agriculture, natural resource management, food security and livelihoods, community development, local governance and/or other relevant sector;
• Familiarity with conservation agriculture and value chain enhancement.
• Administrative capacity and planning skills to manage a small team of national staff.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• High computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
• Sincere commitment to engaging women in community agricultural initiatives.
• Willingness to travel to remote locations when necessary.

Conditions

• Allowance 30EUR /per day
• Flight tickets to Afghanistan at beginning and end of assignment
• Coverage of 2 flights home and 1 regional flight for R&R per year
• Coverage of all accommodation and travel costs in country
• Coverage of visa, vaccination, medical check up
• Insurance package tailored for war zones, online medical helpdesk and psychological support available

Interested candidates are asked to send their applications (CV + cover letter) via e-mail to Ms. Barbora Jančováv, HR@peopleinneed.cz Applicants are requested to clearly state the position they are applying for in the subject line of the email. Closing date for the application is February 20th 2015. Please note that only short listed applicants will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding.