AFGHANISTAN–Deputy Country Director for Programs (H/F)-Kabul

Desired start date: ASAP
Duration of the mission: 1 year
Location: Kabul

ABOUT US

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI’s interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in some twenty countries, the SI teams – 2500 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers – intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.

ABOUT THE MISSION

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL was created in Afghanistan in 1980 at the time of Soviet Occupation and has been supporting Afghan people for 38 years. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL has always maintained its presence in the country until 2018, without interruption covering a wide range of activities, (water, hygiene and sanitation / food security and livelihoods / shelter) for population affected by conflicts or natural disasters, from emergency response to development-oriented programs. The Organization has been working successively in almost all provinces of Afghanistan including Wardak, Bamiyan, Khost, Paktika, Samangan, and Kunduz provinces over since 2010.

The organization has resumed its program in Afghanistan in December 2021 and has established a presence in Bamiyan, Kapisa, Wardak and Kabul provinces. It has launched exploratory missions in Nimroz and Farah provinces as well. In 2022, SI has implemented food security and WASH programs and aim at scaling them up in 2023, while beginning operations in Nimroz and Farah provinces. SI currently has more than 100 employees with an annual budget of around 4,5 million euros in 2023.

In 2023, SI will scale up its food security and WASH programs in the country, with a particular focus on the South-West. This program will be emergency based, responding to future shocks, in particular future natural disasters and epidemics outbreaks (Cholera). SI will also aim at building community resilience, reinforcing access to WASH services and infrastructure, while developing livelihoods in rural areas.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD), the DCD’s prime objectives are to provide leadership and management of the strategic programming, overseeing the strengthening of SI’s program development, quality and accountability. The DCD ensures the internal coherence between program activities and is responsible for ensuring that programs are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately. The DCD is part of SI Senior Management Team and has direct line-management of the Program Coordination team (WaSH Coo, Emergency PM, MEAL Manager and Community Engagement Deputy Coordinator). The DCD Programs is also the functional manager of the different Program Managers. He works very closely with the Grants Manager for all the grants-related topics.

The DCDP ensures the internal coherence between programme activities and harmonisation between operational hubs, as well as he/she is responsible for ensuring that programmes are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately.

The main challenges:

Strategic Direction
Donor, Grant, Relationship management and representation
Programme Development & Quality Management – MEAL Coordination
Institutional knowledge building
Personnel management.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

Finalize the Recruitment and Induction of the Program & MEAL Teams in Kabul and in the field, support to the program Manager for the recruitment and induction of the field program teams.
Actively engage in external coordination with humanitarian partners and contribute to raising the profile of SI aligned with its strategy.
Support the development of sector-specific strategies, strengthening of RRM department.
Ensure project management and technical monitoring tools are developed and in place across all the WASH programs.
Lead the scale up of SI’s program implementation before mid-summer.
Supervise the development of the Emergency team, definition of the Emergency Preparedness Plan and organize workshop across department to ensure smooth implementation.
Support the MEAL manager in the development of the MEAL team, definition of the MEAL SoPs, including data protection and protection mainstreaming.
Ensure representation and strong participation of SI with the different program fora, e.g. clusters and working groups.
Participate in new assessments, in the design of the mission strategy and contribute to the development of new project proposals.

YOUR PROFILE

Education / academic background:

Master’s Degree, ideally in Humanitarian Program Coordination, International Development, International Relations.

Specific skills and experience:

Minimum of 5-6 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 3 years in the humanitarian environment.
Experience in implementing/supervision emergency and/or early recovery projects.
Previous experience with SI would be likeable.
Proven experience in conflict contexts and insecure environments, with consequent experience in supporting emergency response.
Experience of team management.
Previous experience in Afghanistan would be an asset.
Excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills and the ability to multi-task and support and/or fill multiple positions at one time.
High leadership and management abilities, and particularly team management skills and capacities to provide distance technical support.
Significant knowledge and experience of grant writing and management for major institutional donors, including EU, BHA/USAID, ECHO, UN Agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, etc.) and pooled funding mechanisms, such as CHF.
Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to work under stress/pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Willingness to work in complex and volatile environments.

Language:

Fluent in English, written and spoken.
Dari or Pashto would be an asset.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried position: According to experience, starting from EUR 2860 gross per month (2600 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 600.

Starting from August 1st, 2023 onwards, the basic gross salary will be increased to 2800€/month as part of a review of the salary grid.

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every two months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl).

Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

The security environment in Afghanistan remains tense, dynamic and volatile. While the risks associated with the conflict between the government and the armed opposition have significantly decreased since 15th of August 2022, third party armed groups (notably ISKP) continue to operate in certain provinces including Kabul and the possibility of the emergence of new opposition groups cannot be ignored. On the other hand, the country has always witnessed a certain level of criminality.

The Deputy Country Director is living in a shared guesthouse with the other international staffs.

Living conditions are quite fair in Kabul, with possible access to all essential goods and services. The security situation can be tense, and travel is sometimes restricted, but it is possible to have a social life.

Living conditions in the field are often harsher (limited access to electricity, harsher weather conditions, isolation, etc.) with paradoxically, depending on the area, less strict security conditions.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter!

Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.

Thank you for your understanding.

To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org