Afghanistan : Deputy Country Director Programmes and External Relations – Kabul

Acted

For the past 30 years, Acted has been working at the forefront of humanitarian action to save lives. Acted supports more than 27 million people in 43 countries, meeting their needs in hard-to-reach areas, while pursuing a triple mandate as a humanitarian, environmental, and development actor. Acted relies on a deep understanding of local contexts to develop and implement long-term actions, in collaboration with a wide range of local and international partners, to collectively build a 3ZERO world: Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon and Zero Poverty.

Acted Afghanistan

Established in Afghanistan since 1993, Acted currently operates across 20 provinces; reaching over 6.6 million beneficiaries in 2023 through 31 projects delivering humanitarian assistance and basic services. Afghanistan faces a complex humanitarian and development crisis driven by years of conflict, political instability, economic instability, and natural disasters.

Over two-thirds of the population lives in poverty, with 22.9  million in need of emergency assistance; including 14.8 million people facing acute food security. Afghanistan is also highly vulnerable to climate change, with increasingly frequent droughts, floods, and erratic weather patterns devastating agricultural production and water resources.

Acted has built a legacy of long-term access and community acceptance in some of Afghanistan’s most peripheral and hard-to-reach areas; ensuring strong community-driven program. Acted’s work is guided by 3 pillars : improving access to basic services, providing livelihoods and economic opportunities, and promoting effective nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation; while utilising an area-based approach to provide an integrated, multisectoral emergency response.

You will be in charge of

The Deputy Country Director – Programs & External Relations is a key member of the Senior Management Team at a country level, who will support and assist the Country Director (CD) in the overall management and leadership of the country programme. The Deputy Country – Programs & External Relations ensures the proper representation of Acted  in the country vis-à-vis government authorities, donors, clusters/sectoral working groups, UN agencies and other NGOs.  He/she develops and builds the programme profile in line with the country, regional and global Acted strategy and ensures the funding of its roll-out. He/she ensures an efficient, progressive, cost-effective and responsible growth of Acted in the country through strategic positioning and the quality implementation of projects.

Main duties:

1. Positioning and Fundraising

• Context analysis: Ensure Acted has an up-to-date understanding of the country’s socio-economic situation, (donor) trends, needs and gaps, and who does what and where (3W);
• Strategy development and roll out: Take a lead role in developing and reviewing programme strategies and identifying strategic opportunities for expanding Acted’s work in the country;
• Networking, positioning and general representation;
• Donor relationship and proposal development;
• Grant Management.

2. Program Technical Support and Coordination

• Technical Support;
• Coordination.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation (MEAL)

• MEAL Systems;
• MEAL Implementation and Management.

4. External Communication

5. Management and Internal Coordination

• Staff Management;
• Internal Coordination and Communication;
• Filing.

Expected skills and qualifications

• At least 4 to 5 years of working experience in insecure environments; preferably in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East;
• Demonstrated communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to train, mobilize, and manage both international and national staff;
• Flexibility and ability to multi-task under pressure;
• Ability to work well in unstable and frequently changing security environments;
• Willingness to work and live in often remote areas under basic conditions;
• Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office.

Terms of reference

Conditions

• Salary between 4500 and 4600€ monthly (before income tax), depending on the level of education, security level, etc as well as a monthly living allowance of $300
• Accommodation and food provided in Acted guesthouse
• Pension, health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance (& unemployment insurance for EU citizens)
• Flight tickets every 6 months & visa fees covered
• Contribution to the luggage transportation: up to 100 kgs, depending on the length of the contract
• Rest & Recuperation (R&R) every 2 months, flight tickets covered up to $500 and allowance of $200
• Annual leave of 25 to 43 days per year
• One week pre-departure training in Acted HQ, including a 4-days in situ security training
• Tax advice (free 30-minute call with a tax consultant)
• Psychological assistance

Join us