Afghanistan Country Director
Street Child, Afghanistan
Job Description
Job Title: Afghanistan Country Director
Reporting to: Senior Asia Programmes Manager
Contract Type: Full time / Permanent Contract
Principal Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Part 1: Role Purpose
This role is responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of a diverse programmatic portfolio across multiple provinces and partners in Afghanistan. The Country Director is responsible for increasing the scale and scope of our impact in Afghanistan and will lead the development and implementation of a high-quality country strategic plan, diversify stakeholder relationships and strengthen the financial sustainability of the country programme through effective business development strategies. This role will work in close collaboration with the leadership team in Afghanistan and national and international partners. The Country Director will monitor and supervise the finance, fundraising, operations, and programme functions to ensure accountability, transparency, and development.
The Country Director is the interlocutor connecting global priorities with country specific plans and is accountable to assuring our strong and strategic relationships and reputation with stakeholders in Afghanistan.
Part 2: Key Responsibilities
Business Development amp; Representation (25%)
- Set and deliver the strategic direction of the country programme, consolidating Street Child’s growing presence in Afghanistan, optimising interest in our humanitarian responses and diversifying the funding portfolio in close collaboration with fundraising, policy and communications teams.
- Set income generating plans and targets for the country programme and ensure its delivery by consolidating existing funding partners, diversifying the funding base and proactively growing the programme funding pipeline.
- Expand the visibility and reputation of Street Child as a strong child development organization and credible leader among stakeholders as government, donors, and within the humanitarian structure, building strong and strategic relationships.
- Lead the development of strategic partnerships with relevant in-country actors including donors, INGOs, NNGOs and local/national government.
- Identify and drive new potential needs / gaps / growth opportunities in line with Street Child’s strategy in Afghanistan.
- Represent Street Child at the highest level in Afghanistan, and at the regional level, including pro-active participation in relevant coordination mechanisms at national and regional level.
- Ensure proper engagement and compliance with government regulations to maintain the status of INGO and be able to implement in current and new locations.
People amp; organisational management [25%]
- Responsible for the management, leadership, safety, and security of all staff in Street Child Afghanistan
- Ensure optimal financial, human and physical resource allocation and management and quality standards for successful programme implementation and ensuring programme objectives are achieved maximising impact for investment in line with Street Child strategy.
- Supervise the Senior Management team in Afghanistan, including the Finance and Operations Director, Senior Programme Manager, HR Manager, and other key staff as agreed with line manager.
- Oversee the recruitment, orientation, and performance of senior staff and development of middle management staff; demonstrating healthy engagement, culture of innovation, and effective talent management.
- Ensure that safety and security features are integrated in all our work and that the office complies with SC’s security and other relevant operational, financial and administration regulations.
- Lead and take all appropriate actions to ensure promotion and enforcement of the Safeguarding Policy and follow up on any findings to address any gaps or weaknesses.
- In close collaboration with the Finance and Operations Director, ensure the smooth implementation of robust financial policies and processes, including but not limited to, audit processes, financial controls and secure and legal routes to transfer funds.
Programme management amp; strategy [50%]
- Lead the development and execution of high-quality country strategic plan relevant to the local context and reflecting the global strategy and priorities
- Ensuring the country portfolio is in line with the strategy and programme framework; pursuing an influencing agenda; creating partnerships and collaboration for greatest impact
- Identify new areas in which Street Child can add value to the humanitarian and development response.
- Overseeing and supporting the Senior Programme Team to ensure timely, effective, quality-assured,