Our client applies a participatory and community-driven approach, using participatory spatial planning and action planning processes to enable communities to identify and implement priority service and infrastructure investments to support their socioeconomic recovery processes and creating an enabling environment for durable solutions. our client community-cantered “People's Process” is a proven and effective approach to reduce vulnerability at scale in the Afghan context. our client builds upon its long tradition of partnering with communities in informal settlements to create sustainable and safe settlements, improve living conditions and adequate livelihood opportunities to those most in need.
The position is located with the Afghanistan Office, as part of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the Regional Program Division and based in Herat, Afghanistan

Responsibilities

The Program Team leader will manage and coordinate operational activities at the field level, provide leadership to the field team, and ensure efficient and timely implementation of activities of the different projects in the region.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Overall project/program management duties, including planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation as well as providing assistance in the preparation of the progress reports and the project work plans for Bamiyan programs.
2. Represent our client at all coordination fora for all projects in the regions and the (DS Program) rights Task Force, meetings and maintain close liaison and effective reporting to the project management team on project/program activities and maintain close linkages with our client Bamiyan field office in all districts of high return and IDPs and update the national and International Program Managers, the DS program management units and our client on events affecting the works on a weekly basis or earlier as may be required.
3. Supervise attendance of project team members and the implementation of project activities in the field and ensure quality and timely progress and completion in line with agreed workplans.
4. Build effective partnerships with Durable Solution Program partners and stakeholders, particularly LICs, as well as a conducive relationship with DfA departments at the provincial level.
5. Identify and support synergies among Durable Solution PUNOs and foster collaboration with Program partners in the province.
6. Support monitoring and evaluation processes for enabling timely donor reporting.
7. Conduct missions to program districts to oversee projects implementation, assess progress, make reports for national program managers in monthly, quarterly, and annual work-planning in line with national workplans and overall, program workplan.
8. Conduct orientation/training workshops for new project staff and provide constructive feedback to field office staff on managing the project with specific focus on project documentation at the LIC & GA level in Bamiyan province.
9. Identify and clarify conceptual, implementation and policy issues which may arise during project implementation and support program staff to safely implement activities and foster and environment of continuous learning.
10. Support with identifying new program and project opportunities and technical assistance needs, including identifying potential resources in line with priorities of the DfA and other stakeholders, and support in the systematic mainstreaming of cross cutting issues of gender, youth, climate change and human rights in both program activities and the local our client office.
11. Contributing to the overall program development and implementation and where necessary undertaking any other assignment that our client may allocate and that falls within the competence of the staff member.
12. Actively participate in project baseline, midline and end line surveys, data collection of IDP and returnees, and analysis of the data.
13. Undertake frequent backstopping missions to the field to support the Programme Manager, District Engineers, social organizers, and communities to implement the projects/programs.
14. Assist the field team (in conducting and facilitating technical HLP& PHVCA training workshops, with a focus on the people process, documentation and provide feedback to field level staff and sharing of “good practices” among the team.
15. Close coordination with UN Clusters, PUNOs coordination meetings and government stakeholders- (Municipality, HLP, GBV, durable solution and protection clusters), Participate in Government coordination meetings and liaise with clusters and government and bridge up the linkage between CDCs/LICs and government.
16. Perform other duties and responsibilities as may be required by the Programme Managers.

Results expected.

1. Implementation of components-intervention programs (STFA DS).
2. Lead the overall STFA DS team and program in Bamiyan.

Coordinate programs with stakeholders.

Qualifications

1. Education:
   1. A university degree in Civil Engineering, Urban planning, Project management, or any other relevant field is required.
2. Experience:
   1. Minimum 6 years of experience in managing and coordinating field activities, particularly in post-conflict/developing country contexts, 2 years relevant experience with master’s degree, if possible working experiences with the UN.
   2. Proven leadership experience in urban infrastructure projects, cash-for-work initiatives, or community-based development programs.
   3. Familiarity with donor-funded projects, AHF, UN trust funds, similar entities.
   4. Experience liaising with local governments, community members, and construction contractors in fragile environments.
3. Skills:
   1. Strong field coordination, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
   2. Knowledge of ESSS principles, M&E frameworks, and result-based management.
   3. Technical knowledge of construction standards, sustainable building practices, and environmental compliance.
   4. Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure in politically and culturally sensitive environments.
4. Other Competencies:
   1. Strong leadership qualities, with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team.
   2. Excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
   3. Willingness to travel extensively in challenging conditions.
5. Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and a Local/National Language of the duty station is required.

1. Other: 

Build support with national counterparts, during the project period; Ensure high-quality and timely achievement of relevant activties and targets; Support capacity development efforts with project partners for the required components; Support our client contribution to multi-stakeholder national coordination and advocacy forums; Support 'learning by doing' capacity development efforts throughout the programme period with programme partners for improving local safety and security, especially for women, youth and marginalised urban groups; Support coordination with other partners’ programmes in target cities

Competencies:

Coordination: Build trust and work in active exchange with communities throughout the project to ensure community ownership and engagement, to ensure sustainability. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect their own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

This role has no team management responsibility.

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.