Afghanistan: Project Manager - Energy and Local Economic Development (F/M)

GERES(www.geres.eu) is a French NGO working worldwide for the improvement of people’s living conditions through preservation of environment and fair and sustainable energy access. In Af**gh**a**n**i**s**tan**, GERES has been working since 2002 in energy efficiency and rural development.

GERES (as lead), in partnership with MADERA and Solidarités International, is implementing a 10 million euro Ce**n**t**ral** Hig**h**l**ands** Programme (CHP), funded by the French Agency for Development (AFD) for 3.5 years. It aims at the general improvement of living standards through agriculture and livestock development, natural resource management, and energy efficiency. Following a preliminary assessment phase, programme activities started in March 2014.

Com**p**o**n**e**n**t II** of the Programme, implemented by GERES, targets the improvement of energy resilience and living conditions of rural households, through the development and dissemination of energy-saving solutions (ESS) in house heating and cooking to reduce the dependence on scarce biomass fuels.

PROGRAM ORGANIZATION CHART

POSITION IN T**HE** HIERARCHY**

The Project Manager (PM) would work under the general guidance of the Country Director and direct supervision of the CHP Programme Coordinator, and will work in coordination with other GERES teams. He has direct responsibility and authority on the Component II team that includes 24 staff members

The PM works in collaboration with the Project Managers of Components I, III, IV, being member of Programme operational committee and sharing information on a regular basis, but has no hierarchical links towards them. He/ she also works in collaboration with GERES Support Services Unit for accounts and logistics of Component II.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The PM is in charge of Component II of the Programme: ‘Energyefficiency i**n** ho**u**s**i**ng**’**. Objective of this position is to smoothly manage the activities under Component II, in line with the expected results of the programme and in coherence with the 3 other components, as well as to provide specific expertise on local economic development (support to micro-entrepreneurship and value chain development).

MAIN TASKS

The Project Manager is expected to carry out the following tasks. This task description can be reviewed according to the project needs and based on the agreement of the employee and his/her line manager.

1.**A**ctivity m**anagement** of Com**p**on**en**t II activities (60%)**:**

• Defines, follows up, and adjusts project s**trategy** andactionpl**a**ns**, in conformity with the general objectives of the Central Highlands Programme and in collaboration with all teams;

• Ensures good and regular imp**le**m**e**n**tation** of project activities, in line with the consolidated programme document, the logical framework, and yearly defined action plans;

• Conducts regular field vi**s**i**ts** to check the quality of project implementation;

• Trainsa**n**d bu**ild**s capacity** of the project team in project management;

• Manages project re**por**ting**, for line agencies, donor, and partners;

• Implements and supervises moni**t**or**in**g and ev**aluation** of project activities, in collaboration with the Programme M&E Unit;

• Coordination of and support to consultancies and studies planned in Component II: support and advice in writing Terms of Reference; data and information supply for preparation of field missions; facilitation of field mission; report proofreading and additional exchanges with the consultants;

2. Sp**e**cific e**xpertise** in l**o**cal e**conomic** devel**opm**e**n**t (10%)**:**

• Design and implements tools for economic and fi**n**ancial analysis and f**o**ll**ow**-up** of microenterprises (craftsmen and retailers);

• Elaboration of busi**n**es**s** pl**ans** for microenterprises;

• Analyses the potentialities in terms of energy-saving solutions value chain and defines a m**arketing** strategy**;

• Coordinates value chain s**takeholders** and organises exchange events;

• Sup**po**r**ts** external e**xpertise** in business and marketing, and updates activity plans including provided recommendations;

• Organises and implements trainingpl**ans** in business and marketing for field officers;

• Continuous capacity-building** of the team in business and marketing;

• In coordination with the national staff and possible external experts, prepares the business and marketing trainingcurriculum for microenterprises.

3. Su**p**po**r**t m**anagement** of Com**p**on**en**t II (10%)**:**

• Manages hu**m**an r**es**o**u**r**ces** under Component II: writing/update of job descriptions, recruitment, evaluation, and daily HR management (leaves, etc.) in line with GERES Staff regulations and consortium procedures;

• Participates in budge**t** management**: follow-up and forecast, financial reporting, in line with GERES

and consortium procedures, and donor requirements;

• Works with support services for log**is**tics** related to the project (planning of movements, purchase of materials, etc.) in line with GERES and consortium procedures;

• Ensures proper implementation of se**curity** management** for his team, and relays information on security situation if necessary;

4. Participation in Programme Co**o**rd**i**n**a**tion (10%**)**:**

• As me**m**b**e**r o**f** theop**e**r**a**tional committee**, participates to Programme coordination, in particular to the monthly operational committee meetings in the Central Highlands Region;

• Organizes and/or participates to cross-cuttingactivities, such as common training sessions for staff, joint interventions, Programme events, etc.;

• Ensures proper information sh**aring** wi**th** Com**p**o**n**e**n**t IV** team on project activities and external relations.

5. Participation in GERES activities (10%)**:**

• Exchanges and wo**rk**s wi**th** GERESAf**gh**anistan Coo**r**d**i**n**ation** team to ensure proper relay of GERES approach and activities at field level and among the team;

• Participates to the writing of GERES annual activity reports and other communicationdo**cuments** or eve**n**ts**;

• Assist the PC with technical contributions to the drafting and collation of necessary information in the formulation of further CHP and other new programs

• Participates to networking, fundraising and proposal writing

• Participates in and carries out any other responsibilities given by the Programme Coordinator and Country Director

REQUIREMENTS

Education:** University degree in social sciences, business management, energy, environment or other relevant field;

Experience:** At least 3 years of experience in project management, preferably in rural development and in developing countries, with experience in local economic development;

Desirable: Knowledge of rural energy, rural habitat and environmental issues

Languages:** Fluent English, French an asset, Persian (Dari) appreciated;

ITskill**s**:** Proficiency in Office and Internet software; statistical analysis and GIS an asset;

Other Skills: Very good interpersonal skills and capacity to work under pressure; comfortable to live and work in a rural environment and in a country with a conflict situation.

CONDITIONS

French fixed-term contract (CDDU) of 6 months, renewable

Salary based upon profile, experience and GERES salary grid

Security allowance: 700€ gross/month (prorated to the time spent in Afghanistan);

Position based in Bamyan Province, with occasional travels to Kabul;

Accommodation in GERES guesthouse with a monthly living allowance of USD 330 (prorated to the time spent in Afghanistan);

A return tickets between Afghanistan and home country and a 3 month intermediary break in the sub- region (flight ticket covered up to 400€ for each break);

25 days of paid leave in a year + 5 R&R days (5 days additional leave per intermediary break);

Covered and managed by the employer: Afghan visa & work permit costs; health, retirement, and unemployment insurances costs (partly); repatriation insurance.

TO APPLY

Register you candidacy (CV + CL) on the following web page: http://job.geres.eu/?action=ref&id=26

Or visit on our website www.geres.eu, within page About us / Recruitment, select the “Energy and Local Economic Development Project Manager”