ACBAR

Who we are: NQA is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization. NQA is dedicated to the advancement of education and health in remote and neglected regions of Afghanistan, with a specific focus on and commitment towards women and girls.

Our vision: an educated, healthy and balanced society in which women and men lead together social, cultural and economic changes in an inclusive manner that enable their children - boys and girls- to thrive.

Our mission: improve access to education and health in particular for women and girls of marginalized communities in remote areas of the country: mobilize local communities to build strong and empowered communities and foster change through sustainable development of rural Afghanistan.

NQA implements projects by Afghans, with Afghans and for Afghans. The association is committed to strengthening the dignity, self-confidence and initiative of the population in general, and of women and girls in particular.

For information on our projects, see www.nai-qala.org.

Position Overview:

The WASH Project Manager will lead the implementation of the DAWAM project in Daikundi Province, focusing on sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions in a challenging environment. This role involves managing project staff, coordinating with partners and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and integrating gender-sensitive approaches. The manager will oversee technical designs, community engagement, and risk mitigation while adhering to security protocols and cultural norms.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Planning and Implementation

1. 1. Develop detailed work plans, monitoring frameworks and budget aligned with project goals.
   2. Ensure timely delivery of WASH infrastructure (e.g., water systems, latrines) and hygiene promotion activities.
   3. Conduct field visits to supervise and monitor progress and address challenges in remote/rural areas.
2. Staff Management & Capacity Building
   1. Lead a team of engineers, hygiene promoters, and support staff.
   2. Provide or facilitate training on WASH standards, hygiene training, gender inclusion, community engagement and conflict-sensitive approaches.
   3. Conduct performance reviews and foster a collaborative work environment.
   4. Facilitating regular meetings to support information sharing among project staff, ensuring that all team members are aligned with project objectives and current work plans, while also providing space for feedback.
3. Stakeholder Coordination
   1.  Liaise with, partners, donor and sectorial authorities
   2. Facilitate community consultations to ensure ownership and sustainability.
   3. Represent NQA in consortium, cluster meetings and coordination forums and other required meetings.
4. Technical Oversight
   1. Ensure designs comply with SPHERE standards and Afghan national WASH standards, UN cluster standards and donor policies.
   2. Supervise design and implementation of construction with attention to quality and safety, using required tools and software.
5. Compliance, Reporting, and Budget Management
   1. Adhere to donor and NQA financial/operational guidelines.
   2. Prepare progress reports, case studies, and final evaluations and other required report.
   3. Ensure project activity photos/videos are collected with consent, reflect project progress and impact, and are well-organized for reporting and visibility.
   4. Oversea and track expenditures and ensure cost-effective resource allocation.
   5. Track procurement, logistics, and materials related to WASH activities.
   6. Work with finance/admin teams to ensure proper documentation and accountability.
   7. Regular communication and collaboration with the Finance, HR, and Procurement departments regarding project-related activities.
6. Risk Management & Security
   1. Implement safety protocols in line with NQA’s security policies.
   2. Address project risks (e.g., logistical delays, environment, cultural barriers) proactively.
   3. Promote conflict-sensitive programming to avoid exacerbating tensions.
7. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL)
   1. Work with MEAL department to establish MEAL frameworks to assess impact and community satisfaction.
   2. Document lessons learned and adapt strategies for improved outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree (Master degree preferred) relevant to WASH (e.g., civil engineering, hydraulic engineering, environmental engineering, public health, water and sanitation engineering, hydrogeology/hydrology) or related fields.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years managing WASH project in Afghanistan, preferably in NGO context.
• Technical Skills:  Proficiency in WASH methodologies, Water GEM, civil 3D AutoCAD/GIS, and Microsoft office.
• Languages: Fluency in English and Dari/Pashto.
• Soft Skills: Strong leadership, negotiation, and cultural sensitivity. Ability to work under pressure and independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the context of Daikundi with WASH interventions, experience in donor reporting.
• Knowledge of gender mainstreaming in WASH programming.

Working Conditions

• Based in Kabul province with frequent travel to Daikundi province and rural sites.
• Adherence to strict with the NQA policies and guideline.
• Commitment to NQA’s values.

Interested and qualified candidates should send his/her updated CV with an application letter to nqa@nai-qala.org  please mention vacancy number, and title in the subject line otherwise your application will be rejected. Only the candidate who meets the requirement will be shortlisted.

nqa@nai-qala.org