Area Project Manager (ABP Programme)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The rapidly shifting political and security landscape in Afghanistan has produced significant impacts for both immediate and long-term development and peace in the country. Over 550,000 people have fled their homes due to the conflict between 1 January and 9 August 2021, bringing the total of number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to 3.5 million (9% of the total population). In addition, at least 30,000 people are estimated to be leaving the country each week. The country is experiencing fragility and faces challenges on multiple fronts including COVID-19, poverty, food insecurity, climate disruption, and impacts on the economy. To better respond to the current crisis, UNDP has adopted a highly integrated yet decentralized approach to programming known as the Area-based Programme for Socio-Economic Recovery and Community Resilience in Afghanistan (ABP Strategy). This is a tailored area-based programming approach for integrated socio-economic recovery and community resilience, and aims to support the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus using UNDP’s six signature solutions. The programme will provide emergency support for community livelihoods and contribute to greater resilience to future shocks in the most cost effective and sustainable manner as possible. The Programme has been tailored the context and needs of each of the 8 regions of Afghanistan. To support the efforts of the Afghanistan country office in key areas related to reorienting its programme and responding to the current situation on the ground, the Crisis Bureau is providing key support and capacities to strengthen UNDP’s team in Afghanistan, in close collaboration with UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP). The Crisis Bureau has partnered with UNV to cover the immediate needs related to the management of the ABP activities in each of the 8 regions.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Effectively conduct day-to-day management of project activities in the designated region. • Ensure that the project delivers resources and results according to the planned targets, to the required standard of quality and within specified constraints of time and cost within his/her area. • Ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the project budget allocated to the region he/she covers, and produce appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP. • Ensure that UNDP rules and regulations concerning finance, procurement and human resources are adhered to. • Report to the project manager on the achievement of project outputs within the covered region, as well as challenges in implementation, and flag emerging risks in a timely and pro-active manner. • Manage a team of technical associates, nurturing a culture of results with highest performance standards. • Ensure the participation and involvement of relevant stakeholders in the region’s Project activities so that the process is inclusive, participatory and transparent. • Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Provide support to Project planning • Contribute to the annual project work plans, with proposed activities and results for the covered region. • Contribute to the project’s financial planning, projecting cash-flow needs and modalities for the area he/she covers.

Contribute to UNDP’s knowledge management, partnerships, and communication efforts • Contribute to the efficient and effective collection, storage and analysis of data throughout the project, including sex and age-disaggregated data as relevant. • Document progress towards achievement of results and contribute to donor progress reports, as required. • Support and contribute to the Regional and Country Offices knowledge management efforts, by documenting and sharing experiences, lessons learnt, and good practices. • Support and contribute to the communications and partnerships activities of the Regional and Country Offices, as necessary.

Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☐ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☐ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Leadership ☒ Managing Performance ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☐ Vision ☒ Working in Teams

• Education - Additional Comments: MA in Social sciences, development, political sciences, economics, management or other related fields
• At least 7 years of experience in project management and implementation in challenging environments, particularly in crisis contexts • Experience in cash-based programming, community recovery and livelihoods stabilization • Proven experience in UNDP’s operational and project management procedures, including procurement and project design, execution and financing with UNDP and IFIs will be considered as an asset • Proven experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment will be considered as an asset.

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with a volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNDP are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in compounds in each region, with good infrastructure and amenities.

Generally speaking stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers as other UN staff, are limited in all Afghan duty stations when it comes to movement, walking is not allowed. The movement is done inside the “green box” (only) only in armored vehicles driven by national qualified UN drivers.

UNV volunteers serving in Afghanistan must be prepared to endure the challenges associated with a crisis environment. Afghanistan is a non-family duty station and accommodation is limited to selected UN approved, MORSS+ compliant premises (MORSS = UN Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards). The UNDP Security section provides these guidelines during the initial security briefing upon arrival in the mission area.

Volunteers will firstly arrive in Kabul, where they will stay a few days up to two weeks before transferring to the regional offices. In Kabul, accommodation is provided in UNOCA (UN Operational Complex in Afghanistan) which may be in containers. These accommodations are furnished with basic necessities.

In the provinces, UN personnel may be confined to guess houses; in most of the regions, both electricity and water are readily available, although water can sometimes run low as a result of severe droughts in the last couple of years. Most guesthouses have secured water (e.g. through a well in the compound) and generators in the event of power failure.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all UN duty stations in Afghanistan.

Contact with and outreach to the local community is usually limited. Many places are off limits and the choice of recreational facilities are very poor. For all these reasons, bringing a stock of books, DVDs/VCDs, computer games, etc., is highly recommended.

Living allowances are paid in US$ at the end of each month, but bank transfers by UNDP to accounts abroad are possible.

Afghanistan is a unique country. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are absolutely essential.