Project Manager

Watan Development and Initiative Organization is a non-governmental, nonprofit, non-partisan, and independent organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting communities through sustainable development, promoting social justice, and enhancing the well-being of individuals and families. Since its establishment in 2014, we have tirelessly worked towards poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, education and skill development, health and well-being, gender equality, women's empowerment, agriculture and livestock, and environmental sustainability. Our goal is to improve living conditions, provide quality education and essential skills to individuals, enhance community health and well-being, achieve gender equality, improve agricultural productivity, and promote environmental sustainability.

With a passionate team of over five hundred individuals and a strong network of partners and supporters, we strive to bring about positive change by preserving and celebrating cultural diversity and heritage, fostering social cohesion, and promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect. We ensure program effectiveness and accountability through continuous monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven approaches. Our commitment to integrity, sustainability, accountability, innovation, empowerment, advocacy, and respect for diversity guides our efforts as we address pressing challenges such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, environmental conservation, women's empowerment, child welfare, and sustainable development.

WDIO is committed to applying a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by its personnel. In 2003, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a bulletin on “Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” (ST/SGB/2003/13) (“the Bulletin”). To support the system-wide implementation of the zero-tolerance policy, the Director-General has adopted the standards of conduct and provisions on PSEA set by the Bulletin, adjusted as necessary, to be applied by WDIO personnel, as follows.

The project manager will lead the overall implementation of the education project, ensuring effective planning, coordination, supervision, and quality delivery of project activities. The project manager will be responsible for program management, stakeholder coordination, team supervision, reporting, compliance, and achievement of project objectives in line with organizational and donor requirements. The project manager reports to the education head/education specialist.

Roles and responsibilities

1- Project Planning and Overall Management:

• Lead the planning, execution, and day-to-day management of the Education Project in line with the approved proposal, work plan, implementation schedule, and budget.
• Preparation and ensuring implementation of the project's monthly and weekly work plan
• Ensure all project activities are implemented efficiently, on time, within scope, and in accordance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and agreed quality standards across program locations.

2- Team Supervision and Performance Management:

• Supervise the day-to-day progress and implementation process of the project
• Ensure a clear understanding of project assumptions by all project staff to aim at the effective and timely achievement of project goals, outcomes, and outputs.
• Supervise, guide, and support project staff, including training instructors, community mobilizers, and other relevant team members, to ensure coordinated and high-quality implementation.
• Ensure that each staff member in the field is on his/her duty and that the project is running actively in the province.
• Set clear work priorities, monitor staff performance, provide regular feedback, and promote teamwork, accountability, and professional conduct within the project team.
• Build a team of highly committed and competent staff, ensuring cooperation and coordination among relevant staff within the project.
• Create a learning environment in which staff regularly reflect, learn from mistakes, and use lessons for personal growth, and revise work plans to improve ministry impact.

3- Stakeholder Coordination and Representation:

• Build and maintain strong/excellent relations, coordination, and synergy with relevant gov. departments, especially PED and DED.
• Coordinate closely with provincial and district education authorities, community representatives, schools, private learning centers, and other relevant stakeholders to support smooth implementation and transparent beneficiary selection.
• Ensure a strong technical relationship with program support units and support functions
• Represent WDIO in project-related meetings, coordination forums, and field engagements at the provincial and district levels, maintaining positive working relationships with relevant actors.

4- Program Quality and Technical Oversight:

• Oversee the quality of training delivery, community mobilization, and beneficiary support.
• Review implementation progress, identify operational or technical gaps, and take timely corrective actions to strengthen results, learning outcomes, and overall project performance.
• Travel regularly to all project sites to ensure proper implementation of project activities.
• Track the performance of the project activities and outputs against expected results and adjust implementation processes to ensure the project is progressing towards the intended outcomes.

5- Work Planning, Budget Follow-up, and Resource Management:

• Prepare and monitor detailed implementation plans, activity schedules, procurement requests, and resource needs in coordination with relevant departments to ensure timely support for project activities.
• Track project progress and expenditures against approved budgets, anticipate any deviations, and recommend and take action on relevant and required adjustments.
• Follow up on project expenditures and budget utilization in coordination with finance and operations teams, ensuring cost-effective implementation and compliance with approved budgets.

6- Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation:

• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of project reports, activity updates, beneficiary records, means of verification, and other required documentation for internal and donor reporting.
• In coordination with the WDIO Education Director, regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of the project.
• Ensure accurate, quality narrative and financial reports are submitted promptly and according to donor requirements.
• Work closely with M&E and program staff to monitor progress against targets, document lessons learned, and support evidence-based reporting on results and challenges.

7- Safeguarding, Risk Management, and Compliance:

• Understand and follow the WDIO’s child protection, PSEAH, and safeguarding policy, and ensure that awareness-raising on child protection, response, and incident reporting is occurring.
• Ensure that all project activities meet core humanitarian and government standards.
• Ensure the project is implemented in line with safeguarding principles, child protection standards, organizational policies, donor regulations, and applicable coordination requirements, with prompt attention to any compliance or protection concerns.
• Ensure that all terms and conditions agreed in the signed MoUs with the donor and MoE are adhered to throughout the life of the project
• Track project risk to adjust and implement the existing contingency plan promptly.
• Ensure that proper community development practices and “Do No Harm” practices are incorporated and upheld throughout the planning and implementation of the project.
• Identify implementation risks, operational challenges, and contextual issues affecting the project, and take appropriate mitigation measures in consultation with senior management.

8- Any Other Supportive Duties:

• Create and present monthly summaries of projects’ activities and plans to WDIO leadership.
• Provide managerial guidance and support to the project staff to implement the project components in a timely and smooth manner.
• Ensure on-time field staff recruitment and appraisal.
• Coordinate and implement new employee project orientations and training.
• Maintain accurate employee data files and oversee completion of routine issues such as contract renewals, leave, and salary adjustments.
• Identify staff capacity needs and undertake proactive on-the-job training to strengthen their capacity to deliver interventions.
• Oversee the submission of monthly cash requests for project operations.
• Ensure contractors and creditors are paid promptly.
• Any other task assigned by the line manager.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in project management, psychology, education, social sciences, development studies, or another relevant field. (A master’s degree is preferred.)
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in project management, education programming, or a similar role with NGOs or development organizations.
• Required Languages – Excellent English, Pashto, and Dari reading, writing, and verbal skills.
• Travel – The position will be based in the provincial center with frequent travel to the districts.

• Efficiency, result-oriented, and excellent management capabilities;
• Strong leadership, team management, time management, coordination, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage staff and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and deliver quality results within deadlines and in challenging field environments.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, non-discrimination, accountability, and professional conduct in all aspects of program implementation.
• Good understanding of project cycle management, reporting, implementation planning, budget follow-up, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent capacity development and teamwork skills; cross-cultural and gender sensitivity;
• Ability to use information technology effectively.
• Good knowledge of the Child education system in Afghanistan
• Organizational and time management skills are needed to ensure programs are completed by the scheduled time.
• Ability to organize and conduct different seminars and workshops for project staff.
• Honest judgment for assessing staff performance and capacity building of staff for smooth implementation of the program.

Interested applicants could submit their CV and cover letter via the link below

https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/single/64EER9mN