National Coordinator – Education (GPE STG – PMU)

The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. 

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries. 

AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health. 

POSITION OBJECTIVE
AKF (Afghanistan) has been selected as a grant agent of Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to implement its System Transformation Grant (STG) in Afghanistan. AKF is the lead agency responsible for managing a consortium of LNGO partners working in eight provinces of Afghanistan. The consortium will implement STG with a budget of $25+ million, to pilot community-based schools (CBS), support formal schools, establish Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Catch-up and Remedial classes with a focus on equity and inclusion. The project will run for 29 months with possibility of extension and pending project results.

AKF (Afg) is seeking a National Coordinator, Education—GPE STG - PMU who will coordinate with relative departments to support the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Education Program’s achievement of project deliverables and goals, including developing reports and workplans and building positive relationships with local education stakeholders. The National Coordinator, Education—GPE STG - PMU is a key member of the PMU and Education team who reports to the National Manager (GPE STG) and works in close cooperation with the Regional AKF (Afg) Education teams, Local Partners, Ministry of Education (MoE), and Education Cluster. The position’s scope of work includes: 

•    Assisting the PMU manager and partners with producing high quality progress reports, workplans, communication materials, and other project documents, as per donor requirements. 
•    Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with local partners, AKF regional offices, and other local Education stakeholders. 
•    Representing AKF (Afg) and partners in grant-specific meetings, events, and working groups. 
The coordinator will be based in Kabul, with regular travel to AKF (Afg) and local partner’s coverage areas. 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Reporting and Documentation: Work closely with the National Manager (GPE STG - PMU), AKF (Afg) Regional Education team, and local partners to consolidate, synthesize, and edit all relevant information and documents for reports, workplans, project change requests, and other project documents with high-quality and timely submission; Prepare adhoc information requests from internal and external stakeholders including project briefs, presentations, and updates.
•    Knowledge Management: Support the AKF (Afg) PMU M&E Coordinator with reviewing M&E tools and plans, to ensure alignment with project requirements and captures project indicators and other necessary data to monitor project progress; Assist the PMU M&E Coordinator with coordinating third-party monitoring visits, research studies, and/or spot checks to project sites, to ensure alignment with project requirements; Maintain thorough electronic records.
•    Workplan Tracking: Work closely with the National Manager (GPE STG PMU), to produce annual project workplan (as per donor requirements) by coordinating with consortium partners and AKF (Afg) Education Regional teams; Monitor progress against workplans using systematic follow-up on activity-level delays, bottlenecks, and corrective actions; Coordinate with AKF (Afg) Education Regional teams and consortium partners to identify implementation challenges and solutions; Review AKF (Afg) Education Regional Yearly Plans of Operation (YPO) to ensure alignment with project workplan / log frame targets.
•    Financial Monitoring: Work closely with National Manager (GPE STG PMU), Education Lead,  and Finance focal point to align budget with project workplans, targets, and project adaptations; Assist the National Manager (GPE STG) with submitting change / extension requests (including revised budget, log frame targets, workplan, or other required documents) and communicating issues / delays with the Donor / Ed-STWG.
•    Strategic Communications: Work closely with National Manager (GPE STG - PMU) and local partners to develop engaging and effective communications materials (case studies, human interest stories, short videos, photo essays, presentations, etc) for internal and external audiences to document project impact, lessons learned, and best practices.
•    External Relations: Support the National Manager (GPE STG - PMU) to maintain constructive working relationships with relevant stakeholders including Ed-STWG, Donors, Partners. MoE, and other relevant Education stakeholders; Represent AKF (Afg) in education forums, events, and working groups; Coordinate with relevant departments to facilitate Donor missions/field visits/exposure visits; Produce and share meeting minutes and event, audit, and field visits reports with Partners, AKF teams, and other relevant stakeholders.
•    Support Partners with understanding Donor / project / AKF requirements and interpretation of implementation guidelines and policies.
•    Provision of technical and grant management backstopping to the National Manager, (GPE STG - PMU).
•    Gender Equality: Ensure gender equity and gender mainstreaming throughout project implementation.
•    Carry out responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. 
•    Report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Support AKF Partnerships Unit and National Manager (GPE STG - PMU) with proposal and concept note development to mobilize additional funding for project program areas.
•    Support short-term AKF (Afg) Education assignments and external consultancies, as needed.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
•    Coordination of assigned projects (project deliverables and compliance) in coordination with AKF (Afg) senior management and PMU Manager.

JOB SPECIFICATION
•    Minimum master's degree (preferably in Education or International Development) and further Project Management Professional Certification or relevant training.
•    Minimum five years’ experience in Education and/or Program / Project Management.
•    Professional experience supporting development programs in Afghanistan.
•    Experience managing multiple partners is a plus.
•    Excellent English and Dari/Pashto communication skills.
•    Ability to develop and manage effective internal reporting systems.
•    Ability to work, communicate effectively, and nurture positive relationships with a culturally diverse team.
•    Ability to work autonomously, proactively, and with limited supervision.
•    Diplomatic, flexible, and facilitative leadership skills.
•    Ability to respond effectively to high pressure situations.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
•    Creativity and Innovation
•    Professionalism
•    Teamwork and Networking
•    Client Orientation
•    Communication
•    Planning and Organizing

APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 25th March 2026.

Important Notes: 
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying. 
•    No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage. 
•    Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
•    Salary scale: Grade C, step 1 - 3 as per the organization's salary scale.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge. 

Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org. Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.

Aga Khan Foundation - Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AKF (Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.
 
Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times. 

By sharing your cover letter and resume with AKF (Afg) in response to this job application, applicants consent AKF (Afg) to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AKF Afghanistan to AKFA.HR@akdn.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.