Afghanistan: Project Manager of Secure Livelihoods Consortium

Jul 7, 2014 | Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit

AREU is seeking a Project Manager to oversee effective implementation of a 3-year major research project now at the conclusion of its second year. Funded by the European Commision (EC) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium Afghanistan (SLRC_A) is a partnership between AREU and the UK Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and part of an 8-country programme spread through Africa and Asia. The broad goal of the project is to provide a strong evidence based research about how people make a living, educate their children and access other basic services in fragile and conflict affected situations. In Afghanistan, the research agenda is split into three separate subcomponents focusing on: context analysis and responses to village preconditions in service delivery; the link between service delivery and capacity-building and the presence of regional social orders; and economic life and livelihood trajectories. This position reports SLRC_Afghanistan Senior Researcher. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific duties will include, but not be restricted to, the following: 

Administration and coordination of project activities

• Writing periodic narrative reports for submission to ODI, in collaboration with Team Leader and Research & Donor Coordinator

• Coordinating with AREU Operations & Finance on financial reporting to ODI

• Assuming responsibility for accounting research activities, including contingency plans, to ODI for mid-term and long-term revisions

• Facilitating coordination and coherence between project subcomponents

• Facilitating and coordinating meetings among the research team, other colleagues at AREU and external stakeholders

• Coordinating the activities of External Consultants, ODI team, and AREU Team Leader

• Coordinating communication and meetings between SLRC_Afghanistan, ODI and SLRC/ODI country partners in Afghanistan and abroad

• Ensuring SLRC_Afghanistan delivery of project outputs and milestones in accordance to ODI/AREU agreements

Contribution to the research process

• Contributing to literature review

• Identifying partner organizations in accordance to research targets and needs

• Facilitating and ensuring national stakeholders engagement along with research phases 

• Financial management and logistical support of research teams in the field

Research Capacity Building

• Contributing to SLRC_Afghanistan team capacity development and supervising Research Team performance in Collaboration with the Team Leader

• Contributing to the broader research environment at AREU, including capacity building initiatives

Communication and Representation

• Contributing to research uptake strategies for each of the SLRC_Afghanistan Research Components to achieve and maximize research impact on policy making 

• Presenting research aims, objectives and outcomes in meetings, seminars and workshops both internal to AREU and to external audiences (e.g. validation of findings in the research sites) in collaboration with the Team Leader and Communications Department

• Representing AREU at external meetings and workshops and where needed speaking to the media about AREU’s research

• Planning and organizing workshops, seminars and presentations of research publications and outputs to target audiences

• Coordinating with national and international media and donor agencies to present research findings, to enhance the dialogue on service delivery in the country

LOCATION

The position will be based in Kabul and can require travels within Afghanistan, security permitting. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• A Master’s degree in social sciences with a focus on rural development, governance and/or economics  

• Preferable two years of experience in programme or project management; one year of research experience also desirable 

• Preferable two years of experience working in Afghanistan or other post-conflict/developing country context 

• Strong writing skills in English

• Ability to analyze and draw conclusions from data gathered 

• Very strong interpersonal skills and ability to mix well with people of all backgrounds

• Inquisitive and questioning nature and interest in people (including ability to challenge own assumptions)

• Adaptable, committed and with a flexible attitude

• Ability to work independently and use own initiative

• Strong time management and organizational skills 

• Ability to lead others and give constructive criticism

• Experience of giving presentations to a variety of audiences

• Computer skills, including word-¬processing and e¬mail (preferably MS Office: Word/Outlook)

• Language skills in Dari and/or Pashto are desirable

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary and benefits are competitive. 

CLOSING DATE AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Deadline for applications: July 31st 2014.

Please send your CV and cover letter to applications@areu.org.af . Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.