ACBAR

SCAWO, established in 2014 and registered with the Ministry of Economy, is a national non-governmental and non-profit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable Afghan populations, particularly women and marginalized groups. SCAWO focuses on emergency response, health services, food security, and psychosocial support. Through mobile health clinics, psychosocial care, distribution of essential items, WASH services, and multipurpose cash assistance, SCAWO delivers life-saving support across Afghanistan. The organization also promotes youths’ participation in crisis response and ensures community accountability through inclusive planning and feedback mechanisms.

The Project Manager will lead the comprehensive emergency response project in Kandahar Province from inception to completion. This includes overseeing needs assessments, beneficiary identification, implementation of activities, complaint and feedback mechanisms, monitoring and reporting, coordination with stakeholders, and compliance with donor and organizational policies. The Project Manager will ensure that all components, including Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Emergency Shelter Kits, NFIs, in-kind food distribution, WASH/Menstrual Hygiene Kits, mobile health services, psychosocial support, and capacity building programs are delivered effectively, with accountability, and community engagement.

1. Purpose of the Position

The Project Manager will lead the comprehensive emergency response project in Kandahar Province from inception to completion. This includes overseeing needs assessments, beneficiary identification, implementation of activities, complaint and feedback mechanisms, monitoring and reporting, coordination with stakeholders, and compliance with donor and organizational policies. The Project Manager will ensure that all components, including Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Emergency Shelter Kits, NFIs, in-kind food distribution, WASH/Menstrual Hygiene Kits, mobile health services, psychosocial support, and capacity building programs are delivered effectively, with accountability, and community engagement.

2. Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Coordination

• Lead the start-up of the project, including development of detailed work plans, procurement plans, and implementation frameworks aligned with donor guidelines and SCAWO’s internal policies
• Coordinate and participate in needs assessments, baseline surveys, and gender-sensitive context analyses to identify the most vulnerable women and girls in the target locations
• Develop targeting criteria and lead the design of beneficiary selection processes in collaboration with community representatives, networks, and relevant clusters
• Prepare comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and final project implementation plans with clear targets, timelines, and outputs

Project Implementation Oversight

• Coordinate all components of the project including MPCA, food and NFI distribution, emergency shelter, WASH/hygiene interventions, mobile health clinics, and psychosocial support services
• Ensure distribution of in-kind food baskets, NFIs, and WASH/MHM kits is carried out transparently, with clear documentation, safeguarding protocols, and alignment to humanitarian principles and standards
• Ensure the effective deployment, management, and performance monitoring of Mobile Health Clinic teams (medical doctor, and midwives, and Psychosocial Consoler.
• Supervise the delivery of psychosocial support services, health awareness sessions, and referrals, ensuring they are accessible, confidential, and tailored to women and girls
• Support the capacity-building workshops, safety mapping, contingency planning, and risk analysis

Government Liaison, Registration, and Compliance

• Lead the project registration process with the Ministry of Economy and all the line ministries relevant to the project, both at Kabul and Kandahar levels
• Ensure timely renewal and approval of project registration documents, MoUs, and technical agreements as required by local authorities
• Maintain continuous engagement with the Directorate of Economy and relevant sectoral departments in Kandahar and Kabul
• Prepare and submit narrative and financial reports to relevant government departments in compliance with Afghan regulatory requirements in collaboration with SMT
• Represent SCAWO in coordination meetings and bilateral sessions with government officials at the provincial and national levels
• Ensure that the project complies with local laws, administrative directives, and the humanitarian operating framework in Afghanistan

Team Management and Capacity Strengthening

• Orient, and supervise field teams including Distribution Officers, Community Mobilizers, Health Workers, PSS Officer(s), and Support Staff
• Conduct regular capacity-building and coaching of staff to ensure technical standards, gender sensitivity, safeguarding, and accountability
• Provide regular performance feedback and manage staff workloads, well-being, and compliance with organizational policies
• Promote a culture of collaboration, respect, and professionalism among project teams

Stakeholder Coordination and Representation

• Coordinate and represent the project in inter-agency meetings, clusters (Protection, Food Security, WASH, Health, GBV), and with government line departments
• Engage with community leaders, elders, and local institutions to ensure community buy-in and acceptance of project activities
• Work closely with UN agencies (e.g., UN Women, UNHCR, UNICEF), humanitarian actors, and women-led organizations to enhance collaboration
• Actively contribute to gender mainstreaming and localization dialogues within the humanitarian coordination structures

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure strong MEAL systems are in place to track outputs, outcomes, and quality of services
• Work closely with the MEL Manager to lead data collection, verification, analysis, and learning activities
• Establish and monitor complaint and feedback mechanisms at all project sites, ensuring timely resolution and integration into project adaptation
• Regularly assess beneficiary satisfaction and participation, using qualitative and quantitative tools
• Support after-action reviews, lessons learned documentation, and adaptive programming based on monitoring findings

Finance, Procurement, and Compliance

• Work closely with Admin and Finance teams to monitor project expenditures against budget and ensure compliance with donor requirements
• Lead procurement planning and procurement requests and disbursements in accordance with SCAWO’s logistics and finance policies
• Ensure transparent and accountable management of project resources, documentation, and inventories
• Mitigate operational and programmatic risks through continuous risk analysis, mitigation plans, and emergency preparedness

Safeguarding, Protection, and Gender Inclusion

• Ensure that safeguarding and protection protocols are integrated into every component of the project
• Promote the active participation of women and girls in the design, implementation, and monitoring of activities
• Facilitate training for staff and community structures on PSEAH, gender-based violence prevention, referral pathways, and ethical conduct
• Identify and address protection concerns arising during project implementation, ensuring a survivor-centered and rights-based approach

3. Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Public Health, International Development, Gender Studies, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in managing humanitarian projects, with a focus on emergency response, health services, or protection
• Proven experience in designing and managing multisectoral projects, particularly those involving cash assistance, health, food/NFI distribution, and psychosocial support
• Prior experience in implementing similar emergency or multisectoral humanitarian projects specifically in Kandahar Province is required
• Experience working with community-based organizations, clusters, and coordination bodies in humanitarian contexts
• Experience managing diverse teams in insecure and culturally sensitive environments

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership, coordination, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation abilities
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards, guidelines, and donor compliance frameworks
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, MEAL systems, and digital data collection tools
• Fluency in English, Pashto and Dari required

4. Working Conditions

This position is based in Kandahar Province, with frequent travel to the districts. The role may require long working hours and flexibility to respond to emergencies. The Project Manager is expected to adhere to SCAWO’s security protocols and maintain the highest standards of accountability, professionalism, and integrity in representing the organization.

5. Equal Opportunity Statement

• SCAWO is an equal-opportunity employer with a strong commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace.
• We are committed to ensuring fair, transparent, and merit-based hiring processes for all applicants, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion, disability, marital status, nationality, social or economic background.
• SCAWO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

5. Submission Guidelines

• Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and updated CV to hr@scawo.org by the application deadline with “Project Manager – Kandahar” in the subject line.
• Incomplete applications or those without a proper subject line will not be considered.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be conducted before the closing date if qualified candidates are identified.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

hr@scawo.org