About UNFPA

NFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need principled and ethical staff, who embody human rights norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

The Project Manager Consultant is responsible for the management and oversight of the European Union (EU)-funded project titled “Support to Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition and Psychosocial Support Services in Afghanistan”. The project focuses on the areas of reproductive and maternal health, covering eight selected districts in Afghanistan for the period of October 2024- September 2027.

The Project Manager will report directly to the Program Coordinator. The Project Manager Consultant will oversee all components of the project and manage internal coordination of the implementation of the project in liaison with relevant thematic leads and field/area offices. He/she will ensure adherence to EU and UNFPA programming and reporting standards, as well as ensure timely and quality implementation of the project.

The Project Manager Consultant will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders and UN agencies to enable effective implementation of the project that aims to improve reproductive health of women, adolescent girls and young people in Afghanistan. The Project Manager Consultant will promote and mainstream the work achieved by the EU supported project.

Purpose: The Project Manager Consultant post is Afghanistan-based.

In a highly complex operating environment, you will play a vital role in promoting the project’s partnership, synergy and alliances with implementing partners (IPs) in civil society.

You will coordinate with various units working in the country office in the areas of women’s health, adolescents and youth empowerment, and psychosocial support ensuring linkages with population dynamics and data and providing information on the achievement of results in the implementation of the EU project.

You will provide oversight on the implementation to field activities through regular meetings with provincial focal points and support to the provincial team for effective implementation on the ground.

Responsibilities: 

A. Project Management and Coordination 

● Oversee preparation of the EU project implementation frameworks by I/NGOs, civil society and UN agencies. Introduce into the work plans formulation process the results of annual reviews and mid-term evaluation, best practices, as well as innovative strategies and approaches.

● Facilitate the identification process of programme partners, including the assessments of their capacities and design of a capacity development plan.

● Coordinate the EU project implementation, guiding and orienting implementing partners and various program units and introducing effective modalities and practices of implementation. Ensure compliance of the EU project implementation with UNFPA technical and programme policies and guidelines.

● Ensure adherence to reporting requirements of the EU: Advise and report on the achievement of the EU project results, proactively measuring substantive progress and the effective utilization of financial and human project resources using appropriate monitoring and measuring mechanisms and tools.

● Ensure regular analysis and update of trends, threats and risks related to the implementation of the project that can have a potential impact on continued provision of services.

B. Results-Based Management and Knowledge Management 

● Analyze progress, technical and other substantive reports from implementing partners and stakeholders and recommend required follow-up actions.

● Prepare reports and concept notes for the EU project.

● Provide strategic guidance and technical support to project monitoring and evaluation studies, and other relevant research undertakings, in close collaboration with the country office M&E team.

● Promote a learning environment and systematic information-sharing within the various units working on the EU project.

● Ensure that state-of-the-art thinking and research are integrated within the EU project implementation frameworks. Identify sources of technical knowledge both in the country and outside.

● Lead the preparation of reports and publications relevant to the project.

● Systematize project lessons learned and ensure that these are incorporated into the Country Office knowledge-sharing system.

● Facilitate the formulation, finalization and quality assurances of the knowledge management products relating to the EU project and ensure appropriate dissemination and sharing in the inter-agency fora and with relevant stakeholders.

C. Advocacy and Policy Dialogue

● Assemble briefing and background materials in the areas of women’s and youth reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention, mitigation and response, and population and data.

● Facilitate and participate in any EU Forum to ensure effective coordination, information sharing, and visibility for UNFPA’s contribution and mandates.

D. Networking and Partnership 

● Mobilize and network with national and international development partners in the areas of UNFPA mandates and project focus.

● Collaborate on substantive issues with I/NGOs, UN agencies, research institutions, and professional societies in Afghanistan.

● Facilitate donor liaison in coordination with the country office Resource Mobilization team and coordination as agreed in the EU donor agreement for regular meetings, reporting and monitoring of the project interventions.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Advanced (Master’s) university degree in public health, medicine, sociology, health systems/economics, or other field directly related to the substantive area identified in this job description.

 Knowledge and Experience: 

● 7 years of professional experience, preferably in programme/project management in the public or private sector.

● Demonstrated previous experience in the implementation and/or oversight of EU funded projects.

● Demonstrated ability to refine programme design to ensure alignment of programme objectives to national priorities and capacities.

● Strong track record of programme leadership, and proven ability to manage complex programmes/projects and produce demonstrable results, with shared visions and goals.

● Understanding of human rights and gender equality dimensions of reproductive health is desirable.

● Strong negotiation, liaison, analytical and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products.

● Demonstrated expertise in advocacy and policy dialogue is desirable.

● Demonstrated ability to network within the development community.

● Field experience is strongly desirable.

● Knowledge of the UN system would be an advantage.

Values: ● Exemplifying integrity, ● Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, ● Embracing cultural diversity, ● Embracing change

Functional Competencies: ● Advocacy/ Advancing a policyoriented agenda ● Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships ● Delivering results-based programme  ● Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

Core Competencies: ● Achieving results ● Being accountable ● Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen ● Thinking analytically and strategically ● Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships ● Communicating for impact.

Supervisory arrangements: Under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator, in Kabul. Provision of monthly updates.

 Expected travel:

The consults will be based in Kabul.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable: 

The consultant is expected to provide all necessary equipment to complete the assignment (computer, software, phone, etc).

UNFPA will provide all relevant background information and documentation regarding the regional and country contexts, relevant documents on Partnership and Resource Mobilization (SOPs, donor tracking form, etc.).

Disclaimer: 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements