The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), alongside its sister AKDN agencies, has implemented innovative, community-driven solutions to development challenges for over 50 years. It brings together human, financial and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalised communities in the world. Special emphasis is placed on investing in human potential, expanding opportunity and improving the overall quality of life, especially for women and girls. It works primarily in six areas: Agriculture and Food Security; Economic Inclusion; Education; Early Childhood Development; Health and Nutrition; and Civil Society.
“The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is committed to safeguarding, which means it promotes respectful relations with and between all staff, associates, beneficiaries and wider communities with whom it works, and takes all reasonable measures to prevent harm, including all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (PSEAH), bullying, discrimination, harassment and abuse of power that may arise from contact with its staff, programmes or operations.
AKF also adheres to child safeguarding principles, as set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s), employment history and any potential history of misconduct. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a full background check.
Position summary
AKF USA is seeking to hire a Project Support Analyst and Coordinator for the AKF and USAID jointly funded Local Impact Leader with Associate (LWA) award. With an eye toward conflict prevention and resolution, Local Impact will target marginalized and vulnerable communities to: (1) Catalyze inclusive economic growth and ensure basic livelihoods; (2) Enhance infrastructure and access to basic services with a focus on clean energy; (3) Enhance the capacity of citizens and local institutions; and (4) Promote pluralism and social cohesion.
The Project Support Analyst and Coordinator is responsible for carrying out technical and administrative tasks and backstopping USAID and AKF funded Local Impact project. S/he will work closely with country-level technical and management staff to provide technical, administrative and programmatic support to field programs, requiring frequent coordination and data analysis. This includes supporting headquarters and field teams in work planning, results monitoring, documenting achievements including report writing, identifying opportunities for knowledge sharing and learning, and developing new technical strategies.
The Project Support Analyst and Coordinator will also lead and support project implementation and compliance. The Project Support Analyst and Coordinator will be based in Bishkek or Dushanbe ideally. However, this position will span Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan and traveling often would be required when it is safe and permissible.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Project Management & Analysis
- Work with the team to ensure necessary program planning and to mobilize program inputs to support the achievement of project deliverables.
- Support country managers to complete a critical review of the overall project workplan and budget and reports produced so far, focusing on finding gaps and barriers to the implementation.
- Complete internal and partner compliance audits.
- Support continuous learning within the project and sharing of project learning and results with teams.
- Ensure implementation and management activities function smoothly and efficiently and that appropriate coordination occurs with finance/contracts, procurement, and human resources support functions.
- Assist in developing and ensuring high quality project deliverables to include periodic reports and knowledge management products. These deliverables may require writing, editing, proofreading, and data analysis.
- Support in managing regional partners, as needed, including local learning partners.
- Build resources and customizing tools and building other materials which teams can use for their own projects.
- Engage with key project partners and donors to ensure they are bought-in and contributing to the project.
- Complete project analysis such as reviewing Human Centered Design (HCD) methods used, cost benefit analysis, etc.
- Lead project compliance trainings such as Fly America, etc.
- Develop tools and templates to support more efficient project management
- Other duties as assigned.
2. Coordination
- Manage the Catalyze Fund application process.
- Manage and support recruitment, as required.
- Coordinate the review process for HCD pilots.
- Support teams in carrying out piloting process.
- Serve as support for online meetings, trainings, etc.
- Work closely with country offices to support on travel, logistics and procurement, as needed.
- Support the projects and teams in conducting design processes and workshops. Prepare and facilitate workshops to move the design work forward.
3. Communications
- Work closely with Regional Communications Manager to track, copy edit, update or distribute project materials.
- Clearly communicate complex concepts to a variety of audiences to include, but not limited to, internal AKDN stakeholders, USAID staff and more.
- Contribute to other project documents such as reports, communications materials, and presentations.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Spoken and written fluency in English is essential, and knowledge of Russian, Tajik or Dari is an asset.
- Degree in international development, or related field.
- A minimum of five years of experience managing and implementing public health or international development projects.
- Experience with US Government-funded programs, preferably USAID, or in an organization focused on international development.
- Fluency in the human-centered design process, from qualitative research and synthesis to ideation, prototyping, and implementation is ideal, but not required.
- Experience working in Central Asia is ideal, but not required.
- Experience on data analysis.
- Experience in managing and leading interdisciplinary teams.
- Cultural sensitivity, and an ability to connect easily with new people.
- Demonstrated experience planning and leading research activities, such as interviews, group sessions, and observations.
- Flexible and able to handle multiple tasks and work collaboratively with others.
- Able to work independently in a fast-paced organization by prioritizing and managing multiple priorities. Strong attention to detail and follow-through required.
- Ability to travel 40-50% of the time.
How to apply:
Interested applicants should apply through AKDN career website www.akdn.org/careers/1831663 no later than 02 July 2021.