Manager, Khorog Urban Resilience Project (KURP); AKAH

ORGANISATION: Branch of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat in the Republic of Tajikistan

POSITION: Manager, Khorog Urban Resilience Project (KURP)

DEPARTMENT: Knowledge Management Department (KMD)

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

LOCATION: Khorog, GBAO, Tajikistan

DEADLINE: March 26, 2024

The Branch of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat in the Republic of Tajikistan works to ensure that people live in safe, sustainable, and resilient habitats with the opportunity to thrive, whether in a remote mountain village, a town, or a densely populated urban centre. It works with communities to help them prepare for and respond to natural disasters and the effects of climate change. AKAH also works to expand access to services and opportunities for people to improve their lives. AKAH helps communities prepare for the worst, provides immediate relief after disaster strikes, and helps build back better – and greener – while planning for a better future. Established in 2015, AKAH combines several agencies and programmes of the AKDN that have been working on housing, habitat, and disaster preparedness and relief since the 1990s in South and Central Asia.

The Branch of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat in the Republic of Tajikistan is looking for highly qualified candidates for the Manager, Khorog Urban Resilience Project (KURP) position.

JOB SCOPE

The Manager, KURP ensures project/programme delivery as per the set objectives, timeframe, budget, and quality. The Manager will ensure program quality using best practices, lessons learned, effective networking with various stakeholders at all levels within the government and partnering agencies, efficient coordination, and a systematic project management approach ensuring high ethical standards are achieved in all of the agreed initiatives. S/he will prepare and deliver timely, effective program communication to key stakeholders and monitor/measure the progress towards outcomes. The incumbent will have oversight of the entire programme portfolio.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

To implement the project as per the required quality standards, timelines, and budgets. S/he will be responsible for providing effective leadership to the project team;
Ensure the project activities are aligned with broader organizational decisions taken and that they are of high professional quality;
Organize regular analysis, lessons learned workshops, and management of information on program/project achievements and methodologies, so that the team constantly learns from experience, sharing key lessons with the team;
Identify opportunities for innovation and cultivate a learning organization environment where personal and organizational growth occurs by establishing mechanisms for reflective practice and learning at all levels;
Responsible for solving issues at a variety of levels. S/he will need to analyse and resolve situations as they arise in various areas ranging from programming decisions to issues related to government and donor relations that may affect programmatic delivery;
Oversee and ensure the program implementation results are adequately documented and policies influence at senior levels;
Provide technical and management advisory support to the implementing team;
In coordination with the head of the knowledge management department, liaise effectively with the AKDN agencies, donors, and partners on coordination, outreach, strategic messaging, issues, and policy dialogue under the direct guidance of the CEO;
Develop project annual and quarterly work plans in coordination with implementing departments;
Prepare for and participate in monthly/quarterly work planning and progress reporting meetings with the Senior Management of AKAH;
Ensure that all agreements/MoUs with leading and implementing agencies are prepared, negotiated, and agreed upon;
Proactively monitor project progress, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective actions;
Provide overall supervision of implemented work by teams from other departments and coordination of their work to ensure the delivery of planned and expected outputs;
Present and introduce the definition of the program/project scope, goals, and deliverables to AKAH staff members;
Define program/project tasks and all the internal and external resources, whether financial or human resources, required to complete the project successfully.
Manage the project budget and facilitate budget approvals and revision processes as per AKAH and donor policies and procedures;
Ensure that AKAH and donors’ rules and regulations concerning finance, communication, procurement, and human resources are adhered to;
Manage the project budget by ensuring that project funds are disbursed, and expenses are charged properly to relevant budget lines; expenditure is in accordance with the project document and project work plans; develop project monthly forecasts; break the budget down per month and year; review monthly financial reports and confirm for submission to the donor;
Ensure the development and submission of reports as per donor, government, and internal AKAH requirements;
Ensure timely delivery of any studies required by the project.
Ensure the accuracy of data from project evaluations and assessment of progress and results by the M&E unit;
Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the project;
Make necessary arrangements for donor visits and ensure the required visibility under the project;
Develop a program communication plan and effective visibility material.
Ensure timely arrangement of all associated meetings such as Steering Committee, meeting minutes are taken and followed through;
Any other duties as may be required by the supervisor(s);
Coordinate with other departments of the organization on a regular basis and attend meetings.

SPECIFICATIONS (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS)

Education:

A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline of Social Sciences or Management from a recognized university or institution.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in a management position in development field with any national or international organization
Experience working in Central Asia and knowledge of local community culture and Tajik national language is highly desirable
Demonstrated experience in program design, proposal development, financial planning and management, implementation and evaluation
Knowledge and proven success in resource mobilization, building and maintaining collaborative relationships with government bodies, donors, civil society and communities
Experience in programs in disaster risk reduction, resiliency and risk-informed planning

Skills:

Technical Skills

Extensive conceptual skills including development of program strategy
Proficient in training, coaching and capacity building of the team
High level of ability to perform tasks with minimum supervision, ability to lead and work within multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams
Professional in English and Tajik Language is a must, knowledge of Russian and other local languages is a plus point

Other Skills:

Demonstrated leadership and management skills
Excellent reporting, interpersonal and presentation skills
Professional communication skills
Strong analytical skills

Personal Characteristics:

Able to establish a learning culture within the organization
Highly effective cross-cultural communication skills
Good networking abilities

Applicants meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a Cover Letter along with their Curriculum Vitae by email to hr.tajikistan@akdn.org by March 26, 2024.

“AKAH is an equal opportunity employer, women are encouraged to apply. AKAH recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity, safeguarding of children from abuse and zero tolerance of sexual harassment.”

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.