Afghanistan Head of Programme – Kabul, Afghanistan (National or International) At Geneva Call

Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence. Geneva Call’s mission is to ensure that armed groups and de facto authorities respect International Humanitarian Law and basic humanitarian principles in the areas where they fight, or they control.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

Geneva Call is seeking a highly qualified and experienced individual to serve as the Head of Programme for the Afghanistan Country Program (also a second country TBD). The HoP under the supervision of the Country Director will play a critical role to ensure effective program implementation in Afghanistan including planning, monitoring, budget management, coordination with implementing partners, key stakeholders, and management of program team. The Head of Programme will play a critical role in driving the organization’s mission to engage armed groups and authorities in upholding International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Core responsibilities

Program Management and Implementation

• Plan, organize, lead and control GC overall programs across Afghanistan.
• Provide support to Project Coordinators, ensuring successful project delivery in terms of planning, coordination, budget, and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist the Country Director in leading crucial dialogue with AGDAs and key stakeholders.
• Support the development/updating of the Country Situation Analysis in collaboration with SMT, including analysis of country context, and considering/prioritizing the situation/developments related to compliance/non-compliance with Humanitarian norms, IHL, and IHRL, ensuring participation and buy-in from all relevant staff, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Lead/institutionalize project cycle management/meetings to ensure efficient and effective program delivery and required decision making.
• Lead the SMT to develop/update and drive forward the Strategy implementation Plan that is in line with the global strategy 2024 – 27.
• Contribute to donor reporting – Craft narrative and financial sections of donor reports.
• Contribute to Program Development – craft program narrative and financial sections for concept notes and project proposals.

Financial Management – Ensure financial accountability:

• Oversee budget follow-up, meticulously monitoring expenditures against allocated budgets per line item.
• Implement proactive measures to mitigate financial risks of under or overspending.
• Conduct regular variance analyses to identify potential deviations and course correct as needed.
• In collaboration with HOS, conduct monthly BvA meetings.
• Develop data-driven, realistic budget forecasts for the organization (monthly and quarterly) to ensure financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure proper financial record-keeping and adherence to donor guidelines.
• Ensuring the project budget will enable the project to be delivered as designed.

Human Resource and Team Management

• Manage the entire program team.
• Ensure the team members adherence to Geneva Call’s principles and stimulate their motivation through context analysis and adjustment of activities to the evolving situation.
• Build the capacity of the program team through direct or indirect provision of training.
• Mentor and advise the program team during regular field visits.
• Assess the performance of the program team and ensure their professional satisfaction.
• Demonstrates accountability in decision-making, resource allocation, and the embodiment of Geneva Call values and principles.
• Empowers team members and partners to fulfil their responsibilities while providing guidance, development opportunities, and appropriate consequences for performance outcomes.
• Ensure smooth coordination with external stakeholders in general to identify synergies with potential partners and avoid possible overlaps.

External Representation and Accountability

• Represents Geneva Call at program, advocacy, and coordination events/meetings with the international community and other forums in Afghanistan in coordination and collaboration with the Country Director.

Safety and Security

• In close coordination with the Safety and Security Coordinator and Country Director, ensure that staff safety regulations are respected across the program Team.

Additional duties

• Contribute to opening new bases when required.
• Additional tasks when required.

Main qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in international relations, development, humanitarian studies, Project Management/Management Science, or related field.
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or International Human Rights Law is an asset.

Years of Experience

• 5 – 7 years of experience in program implementation, people management, and program quality in international humanitarian or development organizations in complex humanitarian contexts.

Languages

• Excellent English is required.
• Knowledge of any other language such as Pashto and Dari languages are plus.

Main qualifications, experiences, and skills

• Demonstrating integrity: upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct with GC’s values.
• Experience in working in complex security environments.
• Understanding of advocacy, policy, and government systems in the host country.
• Experienced in financial management for multiple donors including FCDO, EU, ECHO etc.
• Strong understanding of IHL and the Afghan conflict and protection issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse team and manage relationships with stakeholders.
• Interpersonal skills with experience in negotiation with weapon bearers and other stakeholders.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, members, external partners, and supporters.
• Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.
• People management experience – large teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel at short notice.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position : Head of Programme – Afghanistan
• Type of Contract: Fixed Term, National or International contract
• Activity rate: 100%
• Work place: Kabul, Afghanistan
• Preferred start date: 1st May, 2024