Deputy Country Director At Medair

Location

Field based position in Kabul, Afghanistan, with trips to remote field sites where living and working conditions will likely be more basic.

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 24 months.

Role Overview

Manage the development and oversee the implementation and development of the programme and support functions to facilitate the implementation of the country strategy. Providing leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the programme, the Deputy Country Director also plays a key role in external representation, legal compliance, grant management, programme coordination and team leadership.

Project Overview

Emergency nutrition, health, WASH and food security projects targeting displaced, conflict- and drought-affected vulnerable populations in central and southern Afghanistan. Resilience and early recovery projects aimed at long term and sustainable behaviour change in the general population to improve public health.

Key Activity Areas

Programme Management

• Contribute to the development of the country programme strategy, in coordination with sub-offices and other key leads for strategy.
• Assist in the design and development of new projects in collaboration with the country team.
• Facilitate cross cutting communications with all country teams supporting implementing and supporting the programme plans.
• Support sector Advisors in following their department strategy, along with an integrated qualitative approach between sectors, coordinating with PCs to ensure that PC-Advisor communication is maintained and facilitated.
• Support Project Coordinators as needed to ensure effective implementation of Medair’s projects in Afghanistan
• Support in accurate and timely reporting of activities to Country Director, GSO, Clusters and donors.
• Oversee overall MEAL operations within the country, ensuring that MEAL strategy is followed, activities are enacted and the contractual obligations are fulfilled, supporting the MEAL Manager as required.
• Facilitate and support discussions between the MEAL Manager and GSO MEAL Advisor, as the programme’s MEAL department continues to grow and develop.
• Represent Medair at relevant national and local meetings with coordination bodies, government officials, other NGOs, etc., reporting back as applicable to Country Director (or GSO in CDs absence).
• Management and signature of base budgets and compliance checks as required.

Staff Management

• Line manage designated staff, including delegation of tasks, setting objectives and follow up with staff.
• Facilitate regular communication between departments and, through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure, develop and build an effective team.
• Reflect the vision and live the values of Medair at all times and especially when interacting with team members, beneficiaries, and external contacts. Provide team members with leadership, advice and support.
• Develop direct reports to improve their knowledge, competence and performance.

Security Management

• Assist the Country Director in managing security incidents, as required.
• Participate in the Kabul Security Management Team and manage security incidents in the Country Directors’ absence. Assist the County Director in enforcing and updating local security guidelines and manuals.
• Maintain a thorough context analysis and understanding of decision making as a result of this, enabling effective security management cover in the Country Director’s absence.
• Act as a sounding board for talking through security-related issues.
• Ensure staff are familiar with security procedures.

Communication

• Develop and maintain a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure with colleagues to ensure they are kept informed of programme related activities and requirements.
• Assist in linking field locations together and promote the sharing of information and lessons learned across programme locations.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with programme stakeholders, representing Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.

Quality Management

• During field visits assess and provide feedback and recommendations on the quality of the assigned programme activities and interventions.
• Ensure frequent and appropriate monitoring and evaluation of programme activities and outputs is taking place, through oversight of MEAL and sector advisory functions.
• Ensure country programmes are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and CHS standards, WHO recommendations, etc. Promote and use Medair systems and initiatives.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree. Post-graduate degree in the humanitarian sector desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• Experience in a senior management position within the humanitarian sector.
• Experience working with various institutional donors.
• Experience of working within a volatile context.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner. Problem solving ability. Excellent communicator.
• Good numerical and report writing skills. Team-player with good inter-personal skills.
• Committed to team-building and able to develop and support other team members.

All new deploying international staff to Medair’s country programmes (and other roles which require field travel) should be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence.