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.

UNDP Afghanistan is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian crisis and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power. The ABADEI Strategy is a tailored area-based integrated programming approach to support basic human needs, complementing short-term humanitarian life-saving assistance with the safeguarding of livelihoods and the strengthening of community resilience. It is centered around addressing worsening poverty and vulnerability, supporting community resilience and social cohesion, addressing climatic vulnerability, and enabling the rehabilitation of small-scale infrastructure vital for basic human needs. It supports the creation of immediate sources of income through vocational skills training, cash-for-work, cash for market, small businesses, and livelihood opportunities with particular focus on agri-business and regenerative agriculture infrastructure and services (critical for food security) that are under threat. It is sensitive to the chronic and newly emerging vulnerabilities of Afghan women and girls and aims at providing them assistance in a manner that does not exacerbate their susceptibility to violence and deprivation of opportunities and rights.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Area Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Ensure effective day-to-day management of project activities in the designated region.

• Ensure that the projects deliver resources and results according to the planned targets, the required quality standards and within the set timeframe and budget. • Ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the project budget allocated to the region, and produce appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP. • Ensure appropriate monitoring of activities through the monitoring mechanisms available at the national, regional and community levels. • Ensure that UNDP rules and regulations concerning finance, procurement and human resources are adhered to. • Report to the regional area 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 implementation modalities for the assigned region.

Contribute to UNDP’s knowledge management, partnerships, and communication efforts

• Contribute to the efficient and effective collection, storage and analysis of data throughout the projects, including sex and age-disaggregated data as relevant. • Document progress towards achievement of results and contribute to donor progress reports, as required. • Provide effective support in maintaining regular communication on relevant issues with local and international counterparts, implementing partners, consultants, and experts to ensure quality and timely delivery of all agreed outputs. • Support and contribute to the Regional and Country Offices knowledge management initiatives, by documenting and sharing experiences, lessons learnt, and best 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

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.