Vacancies

Project Coordinator

Agency: AKF

Project ID: Local Impact AKF KR

Duty station: Office Based – Osh/Bishkek

Reports to: Work and Enterprise Program Manager

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) brings together human, financial, and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest communities in the world. With an emphasis on women and girls, AKF invests in human potential, expanding opportunities and improving quality of life. AKF was established in the Kyrgyz Republic to support sustainable socio-economic development in mountain communities by building partnerships. AKF aspires to improve the quality of life and self-reliance of young people and women in the Kyrgyz Republic through inclusive and innovative community-driven solutions, constant learning, and integrity.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Project Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience may substitute for a degree.

Experience

• At least 3-5 years of experience in project coordination or management, preferably in IT or mobile app development.
• Proven track record of managing projects involving software or mobile app development.

Essential skills

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (Language: Kyrgyz, English, Russian )
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Experience with Agile or Scrum methodologies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Familiarity with budgeting and financial management.
• Understanding fundamentals of mobile app development processes and tools.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Expertise in project management practices, with a strong emphasis on estimating and planning, servant-leadership, and better development practices.
• Process improvement and quality mindset with the ability to lead process mapping and design.
• Strong ability to lead a team through various stages of group development.
• Knowledge of one or more project management tools is required.
• Knowledge of Risk Management

Desirable Experience:

• Knowledge of Telegram Bot development.
• Understanding fundamentals of software development processes and procedures (SDLC).
• Deep knowledge of software development processes and procedures to understand the team's needs.
• Knowledge of one or more development tracking tools (JIRA, Rally, Digital.ai Agility, etc.) is required. Experience with Digital.ai Agility is a plus.

Project/Program Setting

Aga Khan Foundation in Kyrgyz Republic (AKF KR) has been applying the Human Centered Design (HCD) approach since 2019. The AKF HCD design team was established in 2021 to lead the design of projects applying the HCD principles. The team is being guided by the Global Innovation Lead at AKF, closely supported by the Regional Design Lead for Local Impact, and driven by trained innovation champions from different programs including the Local Impact, Health and Nutrition, Early Childhood Development, Education, Economic Inclusion and Civil Society.

HCD is a mindset and a creative approach to problem-solving. It is a process that aims to engage those we are designing for in all stages (problem identification, analysis, and solution development) to come up with contextual, innovative, and novel solutions that are tailor-made to suit end users/beneficiary needs.

The focus of HCD: To better understand and frame the challenge/problem that needs to be solved by focusing on the underlying human needs.

Currently, Local Impact of AKF KR is seeking a Project Coordinator to work on the following Y2 HCD design challenge:

• NEET Design challenge in Kyrgyz Republic: How might we support youth in accessing available employment opportunities by enabling a smooth transition between education, training, and employment services?

In Phase I, the telegram bot Joop Bar was developed to support youth in rural areas by improving their employment opportunities. In Phase II, the main activities will focus on transitioning the telegram bot to a mobile application and establishing partnerships with new stakeholders essential for promoting the platform.

Tasks, responsibilities & deliverables expected from the candidate, Time commitment and Remuneration

The prior objective of Project Coordinator is to lead and coordinate the software development team in the process of transitioning from a telegram bot to mobile application and promote the Joop Bar Employment platform among job seekers and employers via conducting various activities and events. The duty station will be an office based in Osh/Bishkek, with often field trips to different regions of Kyrgyzstan for weekly/monthly meetings and other travel when required.

The main tasks of the Project Coordinator include but are not limited to:

Project Planning and Execution:

• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and milestones for the Joop Bar Employment platform transition.
• Coordinate with developers, designers, and stakeholders to ensure project requirements are clearly defined and met.
• Monitor project progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure timely delivery.
• Conduct regular status meetings and update reports for stakeholders.

Development Coordination:

• Oversee the transition of the Joop Bar Employment platform from a Telegram bot to a fully functional mobile app.
• Ensure the app development adheres to best practices and industry standards.
• Close work with the technical team to address any issues or challenges that arise during development.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Serve as the main point of contact for all project-related communications.
• Liaise with stakeholders to gather requirements, provide updates, and manage expectations.
• Ensure transparent and effective communication between all parties involved.

Quality Assurance:

• Implement and oversee quality assurance processes to ensure the app meets all functional and performance requirements.
• Coordinate testing phases, including user acceptance testing (UAT).

Training and Support:

• Develop and implement a training program for end-users and support teams.
• Provide ongoing support and resources for stakeholders post-launch.

Promotion and Marketing: 

• Develop and execute a social media marketing (SMM) strategy to promote the Joop Bar Employment platform.
• Organize and participate in meetings and events with stakeholders, employers, job seekers, youth, and partners to promote the platform.
• Create promotional materials and campaigns to raise awareness and drive engagement.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure cohesive and effective promotional efforts.

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive project plan with timelines and milestones.
• Regular progress reports and updates.
• A fully functional Joop Bar Employment mobile app, transitioned from the Telegram bot.
• Quality assurance reports and testing documentation.
• Training materials and user support documentation.
• Social media marketing strategy and promotional materials.
• Reports on promotional activities and their outcomes.

Time Commitment:

• The project coordinator is expected to commit to a full-time role for the duration of the project, estimated to be 10 months.

Remuneration:

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
• AKF KR does not cover income tax for voluntary patent and social contributions from an individual in accordance with the current legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Progress control/ Reporting requirements

• The Project Coordinator will provide weekly and monthly updates via online meeting sessions to the Program Manager/Local Impact Country Manager. Extended team members from AKF KR, MSDSP KG, and Aga Khan Development (AKDN) will also take part in each meeting session to monitor the project's progress.

Conditions

Contract type: Service Contract (based on the certificate of Individual Entrepreneur)

Duration of Assignment:10 months (to be extended upon the availability of funding)

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter, and CV  with the subject line “Project Coordinator” by August 04, 2024, to akf.hr.kg@akdn.org  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interviews. 

“The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is committed to safeguarding, which means it promotes respectful relations with and between all staff, associates, beneficiaries, and wider communities with whom it works, and takes all reasonable measures to prevent harm, including all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (PSEAH), bullying, discrimination, harassment and abuse of power that may arise from contact with its staff, programmes or operations.

AKF also adheres to child safeguarding principles, as set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s), employment history, and any potential history of misconduct. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a full background check.

All employees of AKF are required to adhere to the organizational safeguarding standards and principles and at all times to act with dignity, and respect and to contribute to a safe environment free from any type of harassment, abuse, or discrimination.