Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for just and sustainable societies where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. We stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders. We aim at maximizing our social impact and contributing to systemic change. We operate where natural disasters strike, where conflicts tear up communities and where lack of opportunities and service delivery keep families in extreme poverty.
Cordaid is an internationally operating value-based emergency relief and development organisation, working in and on fragility.
Cordaid is a member of the international Catholic networks Caritas and CIDSE and we are active in worldwide civil society networks. We work in around 20 countries in Africa, Middle East and Asia.
For the Cordaid Country office in Afghanistan, Cordaid is looking for a
Director Country Office Afghanistan
Introduction
Cordaid has been active in Afghanistan since 2001. It has a Country Office in Kabul and networks of field staff and local partners overseeing implementation of projects in several parts of the country. Cordaid’s programme in Afghanistan provides humanitarian aid, healthcare services, tackles the problems of gender – based violence and provide support for women to improve their leadership skills, access to justice, lobby and advocate for their rights and participate in peace and decision – making processes, and addresses agriculture production, food security and economic opportunity issues.
Cordaid collaborates in Afghanistan with local and international organisations, a number of ministries, government institutions, civil society groups, alliances and networks, etc. for wider reach, efficiency, cost effectiveness and sustainability. Main donors of Cordaid programme in Afghanistan are the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health and others. At this moment Cordaid is building the capacities of the offices to strengthen the responsibilities of the country offices in the management of the programmes and projects.
Position and responsibility
The Director Country Office will report to the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Cordaid and maintain functional lines with the CFO and CEO. The Director Country Office is the line manager for all senior management staff of the Cordaid Afghanistan office.
General objective and responsibility of the job
- Responsible for all staff (expatriate and national);
- Develop and safeguard strategies of the country and uphold their alignment with the Cordaid strategic compass;
- Responsible for ensuring Cordaid is an inclusive, diverse, safe (with attention to race, age, gender) and accountable organisation living up to its values;
- Responsible for realisation of Country Office targets;
- End responsible for the management of all Cordaid sub-offices in Afghanistan;
- The supervision of Cordaid programmes, finance and operations in Afghanistan;
- Networking, representation and acquisition.
Specific objectives
- Strategy, cooperation and representation:
Formulates the country strategy for Cordaid DRC in light of political, economic and humanitarian context, meets regularly and creates partnerships with donors, local partners, (I)NGOs, UN agencies, local authorities, government authorities, and represents Cordaid Afghanistan in high-level meetings.
- Funds:
Interacts with (potential) local/institutional donors, convincingly presenting the added value of Cordaid as to acquire funds and ensure the future funding for the programme(s) in the designated country.
- Business/Action plan:
Translates the agreed Country Strategy into a Work Plan for the Country Office, with specific results in designated project areas while securing the connection with the Cordaid strategy. Monitors the progress, ensures achievements and interdependencies of different projects, taking into account the developments in the country, and proposes improvements in the chosen strategy.
- Programme Management:
Keeps track of developments within the projects, monitors progress, stimulates coordination between projects, manages the activities within the team and makes the necessary adjustments, taking into account the business/action plan, governmental policies, donor policies and the allocation of resources and preventing mission creep. Translates the agreed Country Strategy into a Work Plan for the Country Office, with specific results in designated project areas while securing the connection with the Cordaid strategy. Ensures that staff carry out their work to the right standard. Ensures narrative and financial reporting are of quality and sent to donors timely.
- Risk Management:
Assesses security, political, administrative and financial risks in projects and offices, and manages the security of the Cordaid team, consultants and Cordaid visitors, according to the Cordaid Safety First Manual.
- Financial Management:
Ensures effective and efficient management of financial resources within the Country Office in such a way that costs stay within set personnel and organisation budgets. Directs employees on set income targets and takes corrective actions if revenues lag behind in the planning. Ensures the financial feasibility of the country programme, from obtaining resources to make sure programme is within budget and resources are adequately spent and managed in a transparent manner. At all times the Director Country Office is accountable to the donors and benefactors of Cordaid’s projects.
- Personnel Management:
Leads personnel in accordance with the management style and social policy of Cordaid, focused on productivity, employee development and satisfaction. Ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work. Coaches staff and leaves room for professional freedom to determine how to execute the work. Builds on the strengths and talents of staff members to improve team performance. Emphasis teamwork, project-based working and commitment. Ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work.
Qualifications
- Academic degree in agriculture, health, economy, business/public administration, international law, social sciences or other subject related to international cooperation;
- Excellent management skills including human resource and financial management, communication and intercultural cooperation skills;
- At least 5 years of experience with managing and monitoring relief, reconstruction and development programmes, preferably also with EC, WB, USAID funded programmes;
- Extensive experience in programme and project planning and implementing security policy in insecure areas;
- Experience in reporting requirements of institutional donors and working with local NGOs;
- Experience with human security, health, livelihood, resilience humanitarian and gender programmes is an asset;
- Experience in coping with national and international political pressure;
- A human centered and inclusive approach to management and ability to promote and structure teamwork;
- A networker, diplomatic and result oriented;
- Ability to work under stressful and time bound project conditions;
- Good oral and written communication skills in English language;
- Awareness of external environment and a firm and assertive negotiator;
- Analytical and problem-solving mind;
- Flexible and capable of working in a stressful context;
- Experience in Afghanistan will be an advantage.
Specifics of station
The Director Country Office will be based in Kabul. This is a non-accompanied posting.
Contract information
The contract period is for 1 year starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period. We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package which includes R&R, a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, a holiday allowance, 13th month, hardship allowance and cost of living allowance (if applicable).
How to apply
Further information & how to apply
Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references should be forwarded on attn. of Frank Zeijlemaker, Recruiter Cordaid before 20 March 2023.
Please note that we accept applications through our website only https://www.cordaid.org/nl/wie-we-zijn/werken-bij-cordaid/international/?cd_job_id=267650
Cordaid is fully committed to a safe working environment and the highest integrity standards. To read more on our commitment to Integrity, click here:
https://www.cordaid.org/en/who-we-are/integrity-and-code-of-conduct/
An integrity screening will be part of this application procedure.
An assessment and / or a presentation of a “case study” can be part of the selection procedure.
For more information about Cordaid, please visit our website: www.cordaid.org.
Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.