Overseas Program Director

Required: Graduate degree in the United States from reputable university
Home Base: Pakistan or Afghanistan
Application Deadline: May 1, 2011
Salary: Commensurate with experience. Competitive local salary.
Travel Requirements: At least 4 months in either Afghanistan or Pakistan; balance of the year in the other country. This position will be permanently based in one of the two countries where Barakat’s programs are located.

Background Information:
Barakat seeks a highly motivated individual with 5+ years experience in international development, preferably in South Asia, to oversee programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and build staff capacity in our country offices. The ideal candidate will have experience with education in refugee communities and long-term programmatic growth. The position will be hired directly by Barakat Inc. USA, and report to the Home-Based Program Director in the US. Barakat exists to strengthen the fundamental human rights to education in South and Central Asia by providing exemplary basic education, increasing access to higher education and advancing literacy, particularly for women and children.

Responsibilities:
1. Facilitating timely, complete and accurate implementation of Monitoring & Evaluation systems, including quantitative and qualitative data collection.
2. Capacity Building for Country NGO staff, including Human Resource Development and community organizing.
3. Developing and implementing an Annual Work Plan and an Annual Travel Plan at the beginning of the contract.
4. Developing, in collaboration with US office, in-country networking with donor organizations (private, non-profit and government) & individuals.
5. Creating and maintaining links with local NGOs which can contribute to Barakat’s mission in a concrete manner.
6. Creating more effective communication linkages between Barakat USA and Barakat country NGO. This includes program and financial reporting and collecting information for marketing materials. The position will also be responsible for facilitating annual visits from US staff.
7. Bringing the Barakat Pakistan and Barakat Afghanistan programs and Country NGOs into closer contact and kinship.

Necessary Skills/Competencies:
1. Graduate education in the United States from a reputable university.
2. Pakistani or Afghan National – based in their home country, or wanting to set up base in their home country (Barakat Inc. will not support a H-1B work visa for this position. Barakat Inc. will not consider anyone who is not a citizen of one these two countries.)
3. Ability and willingness to travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to reside in these countries for months at a time.
4. Demonstrable commitment to the cause of education for girls & women in South Asia, including work experience in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan
5. Language skills must include fluency in English, as well as fluency in either Urdu or Dari
6. Ability to be detail-oriented, time conscious and methodical in one’s work
7. Ability to ‘guide’ a team of country NGO staff in a manner that comes across as professional, goal-oriented and persistent as well as respectful of their cultural traditions
8. Excellent communication skills and ability to follow regular, pre-set communication schedules with Barakat Inc. USA via, phone, email and annual visits

Desired Skills/Competencies:
1. Fluency in all three languages: English, Urdu and Dari
2. Ability to speak and understand Turkmen
3. Graduate Degree from the United States in International Development
4. Previous work experience in Pakistan with Afghan Refugees
5. Previous work experience in the Northern Provinces of Afghanistan
6. Previous connection with donor organizations (private, non-profit or govt.) and individuals in South Asia

Defining the Position in terms of Expectations:
1. The position will carry a one-year contract, renewable based on performance review, and will include an initial three-month probationary period.
2. This position will be based in either Pakistan or Afghanistan and will not require visa sponsorship to work in the US.
3. If based in Pakistan, the Overseas Program Director will be required to set up office in Attock and remain there for the work week, i.e., five days of the week. If based in Afghanistan, the Overseas Program Director will set up office at the Barakat Afghanistan office in Kabul, and make plans to visit the Field Offices with Barakat Afghanistan staff on a regular basis.

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to Arti Pandey at arti@barakatworld.org