Chief Operating Officer (COO)
LOCATION: Kabul, Afghanistan, with occasional travel to Afghan provinces and the United States, DATE CREATED: June 1, 2011
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Competitive and commensurate with experience
Global Partnership for Afghanistan (GPFA) is a fast-growing, dynamic nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization registered locally for work in Afghanistan. Since 2004, it has helped rural Afghan men and women launch farm-based businesses that provide sustainable incomes, alleviate poverty, and improve the environment. Farmer-owned enterprises such as fruit and nut orchards, tree nurseries, vineyards, and timber woodlots are the cornerstones of our programs. GPFA also builds and strengthens the support systems that sustain the agricultural sector: watershed rehabilitation, community natural resource management, irrigation restoration, and capacity-building of local institutions such as universities and district centers. GPFA has administrative offices in New York City and Kabul with field offices in 8 Afghan provinces. The organization consists of a small administrative staff in New York and more than 150 employees in Afghanistan.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for managing GPFA operations in Afghanistan and enhancing internal systems to enable the continued growth of the organization and fulfillment of its mission. Reporting directly to the Executive Director (ED) and working closely with senior management and the ED, the COO will ensure: effective and efficient implementation of projects in compliance with donor obligations; robust internal systems and controls; development of staff performance metrics; appropriate planning for organizational growth; and adherence to GPFA policies and procedures. The COO must take responsibility for the operational integrity of the organization.
The successful COO candidate will be a detail-oriented, process-driven leader with management experience that encompasses a broad understanding of finance, budgeting, systems, and human resources. Personal integrity and the ability to motivate teams of people are of utmost importance. Travel to GPFA projects is mandatory.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Human Resources
Manage the recruitment, training and assessment of all senior managers responsible for operational functions of GPFA.
Supervise staff development and ensure appraisals are implemented by all departments and that staffing plans are developed, implemented and monitored. Ensure that appropriate mechanisms exist for staff communication and internal support.
Oversee payroll and benefits administration.
Project Management
Ensure that GPFA establishes and maintains performance metrics on each program and project, tracking results and periodically advising ED of results.
Ensure monitoring of programs to anticipate problematic areas and take corrective action, identify opportunities to improve methods and initiate new programs.
Marketing/Program Development
Assist and support ED in solicitation of grants, providing assessments of organizational capability to complete potential new obligations as well as complete existing ones.
Assist ED in grantor relations and public affairs.
Accounting and Finance
Ensure the financial integrity of all GPFA operations, controls and procedures.
Take responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting, and the planning and budgeting process within the organization.
Develop an organizational planning and budgeting system that integrates with the operating financial system and allows for strategic planning.
Administration
Oversee the management of IT, communications, security, facilities, purchasing, office services, insurance and other administrative services throughout the organization.
Assist ED in providing timely and reliable information to GPFA New York staff and relevant Board Committees.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Has supervised multiple people in execution of organizational mission requiring the collective performance of a broad team, such as project construction, manufacturing, or hospital clinic management.
Bachelor or advanced degree. Management-related training a plus.
Excellent English skills, written and oral.
Dari and Pashto writing, reading and speaking skills desirable but not required.
Knowledge of computer software applications, including MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
Demonstrated ability to work in a systematic and organized manner within set time frames.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing the welfare of Afghan people
Cross-cultural, tribal and gender tolerance.
Please send a cover letter and CV to Executive Director Roger Hardister at info@gpfa.org . Please type “LAST NAME - COO Search” as the subject of the email and indicate how you learned of this position.
