WDIO Background:

Watan Development and Initiative Organization is a non-governmental, nonprofit, nonpolitical, and independent organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting communities through sustainable development, social justice, and the enhancement of well-being for individuals and families. Since its establishment in 2014, we have tirelessly worked towards poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, education and skill development, health and well-being, gender equality, women's empowerment, agriculture and livestock, and environmental sustainability. Our goal is to improve living conditions, provide quality education and essential skills to individuals, enhance community health and well-being, achieve gender equality, improve agricultural productivity, and promote environmental sustainability.

With a passionate team of over ninety-seven individuals and a strong network of partners and supporters, we strive to bring about positive change by preserving and celebrating cultural diversity and heritage, fostering social cohesion, and promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect. We ensure program effectiveness and accountability through continuous monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven approaches. Our commitment to integrity, sustainability, accountability, innovation, empowerment, advocacy, and respect for diversity guides our efforts as we address pressing challenges such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, environmental conservation, women's empowerment, child welfare, and sustainable development.

Through innovative programs, advocacy efforts, and community engagement, Watan Development and Initiative Organization is at the forefront of driving sustainable solutions and empowering individuals to create a better future

WDIO is nationally based in Kabul and maintains field operations through five regional offices, with over ninety-seven staff members, located in Kabul, Bamiyan & Logar (Center-Region), Ghor & Herat (West-Region), Nangarhar, Laghman & Kunar (East-region), Takhar & Badakhshan (North-Region) and Kandahar (South-Region). WDIO maintains the departments of Program, Operation, Human Resources Finance, and Procurement. Each department operates according to the WDIO written policies and procedure manuals updated based on the context of the area where WDIO implementing projects.

WDIO is committed to applying a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by its personnel. In 2003, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a Bulletin on “Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” (ST/SGB/2003/13) (“the Bulletin”). To support the system-wide implementation of the zero-tolerance policy, the Director-General has decided to adopt the standards of conduct and provisions on PSEA set by the Bulletin, adjusted as necessary, to be applied by WDIO personnel, as follows.

Job Summary

The Education Project Manager is reportable to the WDIO Education Program Director/ Education Specialist. The following items are the main responsibilities of the Education Project Manager:

Main duties and responsibilities

Technical Duties

• Lead WDIO’s overall education program at the Provincial level.
• Build and maintain strong/excellent relations Coordination and Synergy with relevant de facto departments, especially PED and DED.
• Preparation and ensuring implementation of project monthly and weekly work plan
• Prepare monthly/quarterly logistical, financial, and M&E plans
• Ensure a strong technical relationship with program support units and support functions
• Supervise day-to-day progress and implementation process of the project
• Ensure that each staff in the field is on his/her duty and that the TLC is running actively in Provincial.
• Understand and follow the WDIOs child protection and safeguarding policy and that awareness-raising on child protection, response, and incident reporting is occurring.
• Ensure appropriate structures, internal and external standards, staffing, resources, and policies adhere.
• Ensure a clear understanding of project assumptions by all project staff to aim at the effective and timely achievement of project goals, outcomes, and outputs.
• Ensure on-time staff recruitment, support, and appraisal support.
• Ensure that all terms and conditions agreed in the signed MoUs with the donor and MoE are adhered to throughout the life of the project
• Ensure that all project activities meet core humanitarian and government standards.
• Ensure that proper community development practices and “Do No Harm” practices are incorporated and upheld throughout the planning and implementation of the project.
• Provide managerial guidance and support to the project staff to implement the project components timely and smooth.
• In coordination with the WDIO Education Director, regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of the project
• Build a team of highly committed and competent staff, ensuring cooperation and coordination among relevant staff within the Project.
• Create a learning environment in which staff regularly reflect, learn from mistakes and use lessons for personal growth, and revise work plans to improve ministry impact.
• Create an enabling environment for dialogue, information sharing, partnerships, and cooperation between local communities, government structures, and local partners when delivering project interventions.
• Coordinate closely with other NGOs in the area to ensure complementary programming.
• Effectively represent WDIO operations and mission when accompanying visitors, e.g., donor and/or Government representatives and other delegations to project sites
• Reporting and Administration:
• Ensure accurate quality narrative and financial reports are submitted promptly and according to donor requirements.
• work and meet deadlines of donors for financial reporting and sharing it with sector lead on due time
• Track the performance of the project activities and outputs against expected results and adjust implementation processes to ensure the project is progressing towards the intended outcomes.
• Analyze the impact of projects and promote learning by documentation of best practices. Use this information to support decision-making processes.
• Track project progress and expenditures against approved budgets, anticipate any deviations and recommend and take action on relevant and required adjustments.
• Track project risk to adjust and implement the existing contingency plan timely.
• Travel regularly to all project sites to ensure proper implementation of project activities.
• Create and present monthly summaries of projects’ activities and plans to WDIO leadership
• Any other task assigned by the line manager

Personnel Management:

• Manage technical and operation teams.
• Coordinate and implement new employee project orientations and training.
• Initiate and perform, with support from others, staff performance appraisals.
• Maintain accurate employee data files and oversee completion of routine issues such as contract renewals, leave, and salary adjustments.
• Identify staff capacity needs and undertake proactive on-the-job training to strengthen their capacity to deliver interventions.

Financial management:

• With support from the WDIO Finance Department, assume primary responsibility for budget reviews and monthly financial reports, highlighting concerns as they arise.
• Ensure proper coding and budget availability of all projects’ expenses.
• Oversee the submission of monthly cash requests for project operations.
• Ensure contractors and creditors are paid promptly.
• Review and approve expenditures and contracts according to assigned levels of authority.

Tasks of inter-organizational relation

• Promotes gender equality and non-discrimination about ethnic, political, and religious backgrounds.
• Participate in workshops, seminars & conferences organized by the education program/DONOR and PED.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of working experience in similar positions in Education Programs with national and international NGOs.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Science, and Psychology or Educational Management& Leadership (Master’s degree is preferred)
• Required Languages – Excellent English, Pashto, and Dari reading, writing, and verbal skills,
• Travel – The position will be based in the Provincial center with frequent travels to the districts.

• Efficiency, result-oriented, and excellent management capabilities;
• Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and harsh conditions; ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues responsibly and maturely;
• Excellent capacity development and teamwork skills; cross-cultural and gender sensitivity;
• Ability to travel throughout the country;
• Respect the confidentiality of the organization;
• Ability to use information technology effectively.
• Good communication skills
• Good knowledge in the Child education system in Afghanistan
• Skill of implementing activities in coordination with the District Education Department, other Govt. officials, local elected bodies, NGOs, project experts, and concerned community members Employee must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently or in a team environment.
• Organizational and time management skills are needed to ensure programs are completed by the scheduled time.
• Ability to organize and conduct different seminars, and workshops for teacher and staff development.
• Interpersonal skills needed to work with a variety of people throughout the organization.
• Honest judgment for assessing staff performance and capacity building of staff for smooth implementation of the program.

Interested applicants could submit their CV and cover letter via the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc57g3Rg-mJYA3TAn3RT21Wm6kMtrKjXU973mv2q2D5zzx-TQ/viewform?usp=pp_url