AFGHANISTAN – COUNTRY DIRECTOR (H/F) – KABUL At Solidarités International

Desired start date: 01/12/2021

Duration of the mission: 12 months

Location: Afghanistan (Kabul)

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 always maintains 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. In the past years activities were implemented in Wardak, Bamiyan, Khost, Paktika, Samangan, and Kunduz provinces. End of 2018 SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL had to leave the country due to lack of funding but continued to monitor the humanitarian situation in the country with the willingness to support vulnerable Afghan population. The evolution of the situation in the country, marked by a possible collapse of public services and a halt to certain development projects, as well as an aggravation of the impact of changing climatic conditions on rural populations, leads SI to reopen its mission in Kabul during the last quarter of 2021.

The programs are under development and are scheduled to begin in late 2021. A first axis aiming at bringing support to the population’s victims of the drought in already fragile zones like the province of Bamyan will be developed. The second axis should allow to support people living in precarious conditions (EG KIS or IDP settlements in Kabul or other provinces) and whose situation has been worsened by the recent events. This axis of intervention could be developed in Kabul, or in another province around Kabul. Finally, complementary assessments will be conducted at the end of 2021 in other provinces and the overall intervention strategy could be upgraded in the coming months

ABOUT THE JOB

Specific tasks and main challenges:

• Representation of the Organization and Coordination with other actors: Local Authorities, Donors, UN agencies, INGOs and NGO
• Design an access strategy and support its implementation (Security, access…)
• Strategic orientation: Base on assessments that would have been carried out end of 2021 or new assessment, define the strategy of the mission (geographical coverage, sector of intervention…)
• Proposal developments and fundraising: Ensure new proposals are developed and funded.
• Security management: in a very dynamic context, ensure security of SI Teams and operation in the country
• Compliance with local regulations: ensure that SI comply with Afghan administrative regulations: Regular report to authorities, Tax payments, …

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Manage relationships with local authorities at country and Province level. Build up a network of contact with Afghan new authorities in Kabul and in provinces where activities would be implemented, or where assessments are forecasted.
• If not already done, draft the security Pack, update it, and ensure its enforcement. Build up (recruit, train, and support) a network of Security focal point at base and Kabul level.
• Ensure (if not already done) that SI registration is updated (Issue with the name of SI in the current registration)
• Ensure registration (If not already done) and participate to ACBAR meeting, ensure coordination with other NGOs, locals or international
• Liaise with the donors at country level (if any) and manage the fundraising and future strategic positioning for SI.
• Supervise the re-opening of the mission and bases in provinces where SI wants to intervene: Renting of premises, recruitment of staffs, renting of a car fleet… in compliance with Si and donors’ requirement.
• Ensure with the program team that activities are timely and qualitatively started / implemented in line with the project proposal, and SI / donor standards and requirements.

YOUR PROFILE

Education: Generalist background / Science politique or cursus developing context analysis skills

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in a similar position (CD or FC) in complex Security / access environment
• Experience on security management in complex environment
• Experience in humanitarian / context analysis
• Experience in HR management (National and International staff)
• Proven experience in external representation in sensitive environment
• Previous experience in Afghanistan would be an asset
• Previous experience with SI and Knowledge of SI tools and processes would be an asset

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Mastering of project cycle management
• Negotiation and diplomatic skills
• Understanding, knowledges of Afghan cultural codes and habits
• Training and capacity building skills
• MS office.

Languages: English, knowledge of a local language would be an asset (Dari or Pashtu).

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post: According to experience, starting from 3000 euros gross per month (+ 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem.

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL also covers accommodation costs in the Guest House and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months.To these break periods, one additional rest day per month worked are granted.

Social and medical cover:
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses 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.

Key information about living conditions

Living conditions are quite fair in Kabul, with possible access to all essential goods and services. It should be remembered that the consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Afghanistan. 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.