Head of Program Support Services Office

About Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Programme

Job Summary

The Head of Program Support Services Office (HPSSO) will lead and manage the office consisting of the four functional units of: i) Finance and Budgeting; ii) Administration; iii) Procurement; and iv) Human Resources. The HPSSO is expected to lead and manage the PSSO to ensure that these four functional units perform exceptionally as „service providers‟ to support the program operations of AREDP.
This is a key role as the Program Support Services Office is one of the five primary Offices in the organizational structure of AREDP. The other four Offices include: Office of the Executive Director, Field Operations Office; Monitoring and Learning Office; and the Office of the Enabling Environment. As such, the HPSSO is part of the five member Senior Management Team of AREDP.

Duties & Responsibilities

As a member of the Senior Management Team, and reporting to the Executive Director, the HPSSO will:
ï‚· Lead and manage the Program Support Services Office to ensure the four units are performing exceptionally at all times to support and facilitate the operations of AREDP to implement program activities across Afghanistan;
ï‚· Perform as a key member of the Senior Management to lead and implement the roll-out of the program to the provinces of Afghanistan and ensure the effectiveness of AREDP operations;
ï‚· Responsible for relationships, liaising, and reporting to GoA and donors on finance, human resources and procurement;
ï‚· Lead and coordinate the activities of the PSSO with other Offices/Units/Provincial Offices of AREDP;
ï‚· Review and contribute to the development of work plans of each of the four units in the PSSO in conjunction with the respective unit managers;
ï‚· Contribute to the ongoing development, review and revision of the policies and procedures of AREDP focusing on the four units in the PSSO and contributing to others when necessary;
ï‚· Contribute critically to budget and procurement planning by working with the Managers of both the Finance and Budgeting Unit and the Procurement Unit to ensure accuracy, relevance and compliance of budgeting and procurement planning and execution;
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
ï‚· Supervise and support the Managers of the four functional units of the PSSO to ensure efficient delivery of services;
ï‚· Develop a program of professional development training of the four units in the PSSO;
 Travel to Provincial Offices to oversee the training of support services staff and assess the performance and operations of support services delivery to support AREDP‟s field operations;
ï‚· Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director and the Senior
Management team.

Job Requirements

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
The successful candidate will be able to work without direct supervision, pay attention to detail and will exhibit personal commitment, drive for results, efficiency, flexibility, respect for diversity, creative thinking and problem solving.
Knowledge/Experience
ï‚· A minimum of 3 years general management experience with a preferred focus on project support services;
ï‚· Demonstrable knowledge of: i) budgeting and finance; ii) procurement; iii) human resources; and iv) administration operations of development programs;
ï‚· Experience with the World Bank Guidelines for financial and procurement operations is highly desirable;
ï‚· Proven experience and good knowledge of database management and office administration processes and techniques.
Qualifications/Skills
ï‚· Qualification: A university degree in a related field (Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Science);
 Professionalism – an understanding of the management and operations of development organisations in Afghanistan - experience and knowledge of: i) budgeting and finance; ii) procurement; iii) human resources; and iv) administration operations - experience and ability to represent an organisation to external stakeholders including donors, GoA, and other development agencies - demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given – extremely high level of discretion;
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
ï‚· Planning and Organizing - Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
 Management – Ability to manage staff and contribute to the skills and capacity building;
ï‚· Communications - Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including ability to explain and present program support services-related information/requirements and prepare written documents/communications in a clear, concise style;
ï‚· Technology Awareness - Highly developed computer skills using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the Internet;
ï‚· Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
ï‚· Excellence in English (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) required;
ï‚· Fluency in written and spoken Dari/Pashto;
ï‚· Experience in training, capacity building, system set-ups etc in each of the PSSO areas will be an advantage
Abilities
ï‚· Ability to build and sustain effective work relationships with a diverse range of clients, partners, peers and subordinates to achieve common goals;
ï‚· Ability to multi-task, be flexible, and effectively lead a team in a high pressure working environment;
ï‚· Professionalism in appearance and demeanour;
ï‚· Willingness to enhance knowledge through training and personal initiative;
ï‚· Willingness and ability to travel in rural areas of Afghanistan.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to Executive Director and accountable to the Senior Management
PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT
5 Years. There is an initial probation period of 3 months.

Submission Guideline

HOW TO APPLY
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
Interested nationals should submit their application comprising of CV and a one-page cover letter explaining interest and suitability for the post in writing (marked “Confidential”), clearly indicating the vacancy number on the envelope to:
Baseer Farahi
Human Resources Manager of AREDP, Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Programme, House # 1071,Saraye Ghazni, Near Music High School, Kabul, Afghanistan
However, all applicants are also strongly encouraged to apply online to the below email address:
Vacancies.aredp@mrrd.gov.af
Copy to: Baseer.farahi@mrrd.gov.af
Please don‟t forget to type the Vacancy Announcement Number (212/HR-AREDP) in Subject while applying online.
QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE HIGHLY ENCOURGAED TO APPLY

Functional Area

Administrative

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