Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society (AICS):

The Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society (AICS) is a nationally recognized organization committed to strengthening the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan’s development. AICS initially focused on enhancing the institutional effectiveness of NGOs through a certification program based on locally defined and internationally recognized standards. It has also provided capacity-building support and promoted transparency and accountability among NGOs. Furthermore, AICS is actively engaged in capacity-building initiatives and research activities.

Over time, AICS has expanded its scope to include direct implementation and support of education sector programs, particularly in Early Childhood Development (ECD), Community-Based Education (CBE), and Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP). Additionally, AICS conducts capacity-building programs for NGOs and implements research projects in the education sector to support the development of evidence-based strategies, strengthen education systems, and contribute to more effective and informed decision-making by stakeholders at all levels.

Today, AICS continues to serve as a key platform for strengthening NGO capacity, supporting inclusive and quality education services, and generating knowledge to inform policies and practices across the development sector.

• To support and implement effective education programs across ECD, CBE, and ALP, aimed at improving access to and the quality of learning for Afghan children and youth.
• To generate practical, evidence-based research that contributes to improved education policies, planning, and service delivery in Afghanistan.
• To build the institutional capacity of NGOs through tailored training, technical assistance, and performance-based support.
• To promote transparency, accountability, and quality standards among NGOs operating in Afghanistan through the application of certification systems and good governance practices.
• To facilitate coordination and constructive engagement between NGOs, government entities, and development partners for effective and aligned service delivery.

The Project Coordinator/ Senior officer will provide strategic and operational leadership for the implementation of the Schools2030 project and all other education projects of AICS in Afghanistan under the direct supervision of the program manager (education). This includes overseeing project planning and execution, ensuring alignment with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and donor requirements, coordinating with regional and national stakeholders, and building the capacity of field teams. The role requires a strong background in education programming, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive project management.

• Lead the overall planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Schools2030 project activities in coordination with the national and regional teams.
• Coordinate with the Ministry of Education, donor representatives, and relevant partners to ensure alignment with national policies and program goals.
• Support the integration of Schools2030 within MoE structures through regular dialogue, joint planning, and documentation.
• Supervise field-level implementation and ensure timely reporting and documentation of project milestones.
• Build the capacity of field teams, teachers, and master trainers on human-centered design, learning assessments, and school-based innovations.
• Monitor quality and effectiveness of school-level interventions through field visits, review meetings, and data use.
• Contribute to donor reports, strategic planning documents, and project evaluations.
• Demonstrate practical experience in applying Human-Centered Design (HCD) approaches within the education sector, including designing, testing, and refining education solutions in collaboration with students, teachers, and communities.
• Ensure that HCD principles are embedded in project planning, implementation, and capacity-building efforts to foster inclusive, locally-relevant educational innovations.
• Support and guide the provincial senior education officers education (PSOE), Officers and other education support in theire daily designated staff
• Supervise the data management & M&E team for the management of the data collection of the project activities and submission to the donor.
• Responsible for the development of the education projects monthly and quarterly reports for donors in close coordination with the provincial education team and program manager.
• Support the provincial team in the development and submission of the quarterly reports for the relevant sectorial departments and stakeholders (PED, DED, DOEc and others).
• Coordinate project procurements and day to day implementation in close coordination with provincial and national teams.
• Responsible for the development and submission of the semi-annual report to the Ministry of Economy of the education projects in close coordination with the program & partnership team, finance and operation teams
• Any other task assigned by the line manager.

• Strong experience working with government counterparts (MoE preferred) and donor coordination.
• Proven track record in team supervision, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated success in policy dialogue, joint planning, and institutional integration of education programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for engaging with stakeholders and producing high-quality reports and learning products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Dari or Pashto fluency is required
• Practical experience applying HCD methodologies in education settings—such as co-design workshops, prototyping with educators and students, iterative testing of school-based innovations.

Submission Guideline:

Application:
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs@aicsafg.org  no later than 8^th June 2025. 

Important Notes: 
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number and Position Title 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.

The Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society (AICS) 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@aicsafg.org

Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society  (AICS) 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 AICS implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AICS 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 AICS Safeguarding Policy at all times. 

By sharing your cover letter and resume with AICS in response to this job application, applicants consent AICS 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 AICS Afghanistan to info@aicsafg.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.