Sr. Project Manager

 

JOB DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATIONS

 

Job title	Sr. Project Manager
Job location	Parwan, with travel to provinces as required
VA #	AUA0015-2025
Report to	CEO
Grid level	To be discussed
Supervisor of	Operation Manager and Field Manager

 

1. SUMMARY OF KEY FUNCTIONS

Alfalah-ul-Alami (AUA) as a profit-based company contracted by Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in partnership with national international companies, is dedicated to establishing a cement factory that produces high-quality cement products in Afghanistan. Through our commitment to bringing a cadre of expert and diverse team, we aim to promote excellence, sustainability, and customer satisfaction so it contributes to the growth and development of Afghanistan's construction industry while ensuring profitability and access to international markets.

The Sr. Project Manager is the central leadership role within the technical team for the 3000 tonnes per day (tpd) cement plant project in Jabal Saraj, Parwan Province, Afghanistan. This position is responsible for overseeing the entire project lifecycle, from commencement to commissioning, ensuring the successful delivery of the cement plant, 18 MW coal power plant, and potential 5 MW Waste Heat Recovery System. Collaborating closely with the Engineering, Procurement, Erection, and Construction Management (EPECM) firm, technical team members, and external stakeholders, the Project Manager ensures that all activities align with the project’s goals of safety, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and compliance while navigating Afghanistan’s logistical, security, and regulatory challenges.

 

2. Scope of Work

The Project Manager is tasked with providing holistic oversight, coordinating all project facets, including technical, financial, and operational aspects, to ensure timely and successful completion. This role involves strategic planning, and risk mitigation to transform the project’s vision into reality. Below is a detailed scope of work tailored to the project’s requirements and informed by the responsibilities outlined for this position:

 

 

3. KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

 

3.1 Project Management and Coordination

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive project management framework, including a detailed implementation roadmap with clear milestones, deliverables, and timelines for the cement and power plants.
• Establish robust communication protocols to facilitate effective coordination among the technical team, EPECM firm, contractors, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Convene and chair regular technical meetings and project status reviews to monitor progress, address issues, and implement corrective actions to stay on schedule and within budget.
• Oversee project budgeting and financial tracking, collaborating with the Pre-Contract and Final Accounts Manager to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Manage logistical issues specific to project context, such as supply chain disruptions, vendors management, to ensure seamless project execution.
• Develop strategies to engage and train the local workforce, enhancing local capacity for the project.

3.2 Organizational Leadership

• Develop an organizational structure tailored to project requirements, ensuring compliance with company policies, and submit it for approval.
• Provide guidance and performance evaluations for project team members, recommending appointments or dismissals to optimize team effectiveness.
• Foster collaboration among project departments, ensuring alignment with technical, safety, and sustainability objectives.
• Organize project commencement, sectional completion, and final acceptance inspections, ensuring regulatory and stakeholder requirements are met.

3.3 Design and Engineering Oversight

• Oversee and provide technical support to the technical design process for the cement plant, coal power plant, and potential WHR system, ensuring seamless integration and optimization of all systems.
• Review and approve detailed designs, technical specifications, and documents, ensuring compliance with safety, efficiency, and environmental standards.
• Lead the Civil and Structural Engineering Manager, Process Engineer, and Electrical Engineer to ensure designs meet project requirements and local conditions.

3.4 Procurement and Contract Management

• Oversee the procurement process, ensuring alignment with technical specifications, quality standards, and project timelines, in collaboration with the Pre-Contract and Final Accounts Manager.
• Monitor and ensure timely fulfillment of contractual obligations by contractors, suppliers, and consultants, managing variations, claims, and disputes as needed.
• Ensure clear delineation of responsibilities among contractual parties, coordinating contract finalization and closure.

3.5 Construction and Commissioning Management

• Supervise all construction activities, ensuring adherence to approved designs, quality standards, and schedules, in coordination with the Installation Manager and Civil and Structural Engineering Manager.
• Develop and implement commissioning plans, overseeing pre-commissioning checks, performance testing, and system validation to ensure operational readiness.
• Manage the handover process to the operations team, ensuring all documentation, training, and operational manuals are complete.

3.6 Quality Assurance and HSE Compliance

• Communicate with the QA/QC Specialist and HSE Manager to enforce quality standards and HSE protocols across all project phases, ensuring compliance with Afghan regulations and international standards (e.g., ISO, OSHA).
• Oversee the implementation of safety and environmental measures, including emissions control, waste management, and worker safety protocols, to minimize the project’s carbon footprint.

3.7 Risk Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management strategy, addressing technical, operational, and logistical, risks specific to project.
• Monitor risks continuously, adjusting mitigation plans to ensure project success.

3.8 Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare and maintain detailed project documentation, including technical reports, progress updates, and records of decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Regularly report project progress to company leadership, escalating critical issues for executive decisions as needed.
• Support the Document Controller in archiving project records, ensuring compliance with company and regulatory archiving requirements.

3.9 Alignment with Project Goals

• Ensure all project activities support the goals of safety, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability, integrating innovative technologies like advanced process controls and renewable energy systems.
• Facilitate the seamless integration of the hybrid energy ecosystem (coal, and potential WHR systems) to achieve self-sufficiency and minimize environmental impact.
• Drive the project’s vision to create a sustainable, technologically advanced cement production hub tailored to Afghanistan’s needs.

 

4. Key Competencies and Requirements

 

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical/Process Engineering), Construction Management, or a related technical field from an accredited institution is required.
• Master’s Degree (Preferred): A Master’s degree in Project Management, Engineering Management, or a related discipline is highly desirable to demonstrate advanced knowledge in managing large-scale industrial projects.

Professional Certifications:

• Certification in Project Management, such as Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI) or equivalent (e.g., PRINCE2, IPMA), is strongly preferred.
• Additional certifications in areas such as Lean Six Sigma, Quality Management, or Occupational Health and Safety (e.g., NEBOSH, OSHA) are advantageous to support the project’s focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

• Candidates must have a minimum of 13-17 years of professional experience in project management, including at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing large-scale industrial projects preferably within the cement manufacturing, power plant construction, or other heavy industrial sectors.
• For candidates holding a Master’s degree, the required professional experience shall be no less than 13 years.
• For candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree, the required professional experience shall be no less than 17 years.

Industry-Specific Experience:

• Proven experience overseeing the design, construction, and commissioning of complex industrial facilities, such as cement plants, power plants, or renewable energy projects.
• Demonstrated success in managing projects with hybrid energy systems (e.g., coal, solar, waste heat recovery) or sustainable infrastructure is highly desirable.

International Project Experience:

• Experience working in challenging or emerging environments.
• Familiarity with international engineering standards (e.g., ISO, ASTM, ACI) and compliance with local regulations in developing countries.

Technical Expertise:

• Strong understanding of engineering disciplines (civil, mechanical, electrical, process) and their integration in large-scale industrial projects.
• Experience in procurement, contract management, and coordination with Engineering, Procurement, Erection, and Construction Management (EPECM) firms.
• Familiarity with quality assurance and control processes, ensuring alignment with project specifications and performance goals.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management:

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage diverse stakeholders (e.g., contractors, vendors), and foster collaboration across departments.
• Experience in managing budgets, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies for projects exceeding $50 million in value.

Language Proficiency

• English: Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, as it is the primary language for project documentation, technical communication, and coordination with international stakeholders, contractors, and the EPECM firm.

 

5. Alignment with Project Context

• The Sr. Project Manager is the cornerstone of the Jabal Saraj cement plant project, driving its success by providing strategic leadership and ensuring alignment with technical, safety, and sustainability goals. This role navigates challenges to deliver a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable facility. By coordinating the technical team, the Sr. Project Manager ensures the seamless integration of the cement plant and its hybrid energy ecosystem, transforming ambitious plans into a functional reality.

 

6. Submission Guideline:

• Interested candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit their CV along with cover letter to: hr@aua.af
• Please clearly state the Position Title and your Name in the subject of your E-mail.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.