Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Reporting to: CEO
Length of Contract: 2 years with a 3 month probationary period
Deadline: 18th November 2012
Salary: Commensurate with previous salary and experience
Reporting to: CEO
Length of Contract: 2 years with a 3 month probationary period
Deadline: 18th November 2012
Salary: Commensurate with previous salary and experience
Turquoise Mountain Trust has been successfully completing projects in Afghanistan since 2006. The Trustees are anxious to continue to pursue an exciting vision for the future, and as such are looking to recruit a Country Director.
Background:
Turquoise Mountain is a non-profit, non-governmental organization specializing in urban regeneration, business development, and education in traditional arts and architecture. We seek to provide jobs, skills, and a renewed sense of national pride to Afghan men and women.
Turquoise Mountain is a non-profit, non-governmental organization specializing in urban regeneration, business development, and education in traditional arts and architecture. We seek to provide jobs, skills, and a renewed sense of national pride to Afghan men and women.
Since 2006 Turquoise Mountain has cleared 30,000 cubic meters of rubbish from the streets, repaired 65 historic buildings, created a primary school and a clinic, and installed water, electricity and sanitation through the historic traditional craft neighbourhood of Murad Khane. It has created the internationally-accredited Institute for Afghan Arts & Architecture, training the next generation of craftsmen and women in woodwork, jewellery and gem cutting, calligraphy and miniature painting, and ceramics. Finally, it has sold nearly $2,000,000 in traditional crafts internationally to support the craft industry.
The success of Turquoise Mountain has been to capture the interest, enthusiasm and commitment of four key groups of stakeholders: the government, the local community, a strong and capable local directorate and a group of committed international donors. This has been done through a programme of six years of urban regeneration, community development, support to the Afghan craft industry, and the creation of the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture. The Institute is now an independent Afghan entity under Afghan management, with other programmes continuing in partnership, focused in Murad Khane as a hub of traditional crafts.
Turquoise Mountain is now seeking someone to take over management of the operations of Turquoise Mountain Trust in Kabul, in partnership with the Director of the Institute as a sister organisation. The brief of the Country Director is to manage and develop the existing programmes under Turquoise Mountain Trust, and to seek new opportunities and funding in line with the mission of the organisation and in order to continue to drive the regeneration
Job Purpose
• Manage the existing programmes and staff of Turquoise Mountain Trust.
• Work in conjunction with the Director of the Turquoise Mountain Institute to coordinate and promote programmes, and work with partners outside of the organisation.
• Contribute to the fundraising and strategic development of all aspects of Turquoise Mountain Trust’s activities in Afghanistan. Consider and propose to the CEO future opportunities for Turquoise Mountain Trust in line with its mission and strategic aims.
• Manage the existing programmes and staff of Turquoise Mountain Trust.
• Work in conjunction with the Director of the Turquoise Mountain Institute to coordinate and promote programmes, and work with partners outside of the organisation.
• Contribute to the fundraising and strategic development of all aspects of Turquoise Mountain Trust’s activities in Afghanistan. Consider and propose to the CEO future opportunities for Turquoise Mountain Trust in line with its mission and strategic aims.
Key Accountabilities
Management and Implementation of existing Turquoise Mountain Trust programming Programme Management
• Implement the strategy of Turquoise Mountain Trust, as directed by the CEO & Trustees for the continued regeneration centered on Murad Khane and the revival of traditional crafts, including Business Development, urban regeneration, community health and education, Cultural Programs, and support for the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture.
Management and Implementation of existing Turquoise Mountain Trust programming Programme Management
• Implement the strategy of Turquoise Mountain Trust, as directed by the CEO & Trustees for the continued regeneration centered on Murad Khane and the revival of traditional crafts, including Business Development, urban regeneration, community health and education, Cultural Programs, and support for the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture.
Team Management
• Communicate a clear vision of present and future programme goals and strategies to team members. Incorporate their feedback, and the best of their skills into the programme.
• Manage, recruit and motivate a skilled, efficient team; incorporate staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team-building process. Operations and Financial Management
• Guarantee program implementation is on time, on target and on-budget
• Manage and develop the programme infrastructure and systems including financial management, operations, and donor relations, ensuring effective, transparent use of resources, and timely reporting systems, in compliance with Turquoise Mountain and donor policies/procedures.
• Oversee strategic budgeting and budget management of all internal programmes, and sub-grantees/sub-contractors as applicable.
• Maintain and develop systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work according to best practices, Turquoise Mountain operating standards and field realities. Coordination, Representation, and External Relations
• Represent Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan with all relevant stakeholders, in partnership with the Director of the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture. This includes, but is not limited to, the Afghan Government, the community of Murad Khane, the project staff and wider beneficiary group, the International community, and National and International Media.
• Represent Turquoise Mountain outside of Afghanistan where appropriate and upon request. This may include, and is not limited to, international collaboration on projects, fundraising efforts, and communication with Board members and stakeholders abroad.
• Communicate a clear vision of present and future programme goals and strategies and actively cultivate productive relationships with internal and external constituents.
• Communicate a clear vision of present and future programme goals and strategies to team members. Incorporate their feedback, and the best of their skills into the programme.
• Manage, recruit and motivate a skilled, efficient team; incorporate staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team-building process. Operations and Financial Management
• Guarantee program implementation is on time, on target and on-budget
• Manage and develop the programme infrastructure and systems including financial management, operations, and donor relations, ensuring effective, transparent use of resources, and timely reporting systems, in compliance with Turquoise Mountain and donor policies/procedures.
• Oversee strategic budgeting and budget management of all internal programmes, and sub-grantees/sub-contractors as applicable.
• Maintain and develop systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work according to best practices, Turquoise Mountain operating standards and field realities. Coordination, Representation, and External Relations
• Represent Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan with all relevant stakeholders, in partnership with the Director of the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture. This includes, but is not limited to, the Afghan Government, the community of Murad Khane, the project staff and wider beneficiary group, the International community, and National and International Media.
• Represent Turquoise Mountain outside of Afghanistan where appropriate and upon request. This may include, and is not limited to, international collaboration on projects, fundraising efforts, and communication with Board members and stakeholders abroad.
• Communicate a clear vision of present and future programme goals and strategies and actively cultivate productive relationships with internal and external constituents.
Strategic Development and Fundraising
• Explore, propose and implement new programming in line with the mission of Turquoise Mountain Trust, and in conjunction with the CEO.
• Lead the annual country planning process and report to the CEO and Board on the aims, achievements and issues on the programme.
• Explore, evaluate and present innovative funding opportunities, leveraging impact and integrating activities with other NGOs, Art Institutions, International Organisations and other potential project partners.
• Explore, propose and implement new programming in line with the mission of Turquoise Mountain Trust, and in conjunction with the CEO.
• Lead the annual country planning process and report to the CEO and Board on the aims, achievements and issues on the programme.
• Explore, evaluate and present innovative funding opportunities, leveraging impact and integrating activities with other NGOs, Art Institutions, International Organisations and other potential project partners.
Qualifications and Experience required
• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
• 5 + years field experience in international or development programmes, including demonstrable success in managing complex programmes.
• Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USAID, DFID, private sector or other foundations preferred.
• Previous work experience in Afghanistan.
• Experience of building, leading and developing a team with different backgrounds and expertise. A first rate programme manager who can show that they have managed and delivered projects in difficult and demanding circumstances.
• Experience of building personal networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organisation
• Strong understanding of programme, financial and operational management processes
• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
• 5 + years field experience in international or development programmes, including demonstrable success in managing complex programmes.
• Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USAID, DFID, private sector or other foundations preferred.
• Previous work experience in Afghanistan.
• Experience of building, leading and developing a team with different backgrounds and expertise. A first rate programme manager who can show that they have managed and delivered projects in difficult and demanding circumstances.
• Experience of building personal networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organisation
• Strong understanding of programme, financial and operational management processes
Personal Competencies Required
• A commitment to development in general and to urban regeneration in particular
• Appreciation and respect for Afghan culture, people and values
• Experience and skill in working with government or not for profit organisations; possessed of the gravitas and charm to handle powerful stakeholders
• An adaptable and energetic problem solver with good communication skills and a sense of humour
• Self starting, committed, passionate and loyal
• A commitment to development in general and to urban regeneration in particular
• Appreciation and respect for Afghan culture, people and values
• Experience and skill in working with government or not for profit organisations; possessed of the gravitas and charm to handle powerful stakeholders
• An adaptable and energetic problem solver with good communication skills and a sense of humour
• Self starting, committed, passionate and loyal
The successful candidate will be offered a two year contract with a 3 month probationary period, and expected to work in Afghanistan throughout that period.
If you are committed to urban regeneration, a problem-solver and are a good communicator then we will be delighted to hear from you. Please send your CV and a covering letter to contact@turquoisemountain.org.
Further information about the work of Turquoise Mountain is available at www.turquoisemountain.org andwww.turquoisemountainarts.org
How to apply:
If you are committed to urban regeneration, a problem-solver and are a good communicator then we will be delighted to hear from you. Please send your CV and a covering letter to contact@turquoisemountain.org.
