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.
