Afghanistan: A Deputy Area Coordinator in Afghanistan

Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale (PU-AMI)is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organisation. Our teams are committed to supporting civilian victims of marginalisation and exclusion, those hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. PU-AMI relies on 30 years of field experience in 50 countries in crisis, as well as the complementarity of its medical and non-medical expertise, to adapt its programmes to each context and to the real needs of the most vulnerable populations.

The association implements an average of 180 projects each year in the following sectors; food security; health; nutrition; construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures; water, sanitation, hygiene; and economic recovery. PU-AMI is currently providing assistance to around 4 million people in 21 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and France. In Afghanistan, PU AMI has been implementing lifesaving activities since 1979.

Humanitarian Context in the country :

At the 2012 Tokyo Conference, Afghanistan announced its road map toward self-reliance. However, great challenges remain to be overcome. Security, social and economic development, good governance, and justice are, among other issues, essential pre- conditions in order to achieve the country’s ambitious objectives. The withdrawal of the majority of international troops in 2014 as well as the recent change in government leadership has raised questions concerning the stability of the country. In fact, 2014 witnessed an increased level of violence with civilians paying the highest price, a rise in unemployment and criminality.

Rebuilding and strengthening the health-care system is still a priority in Afghanistan with the country-wide continuation of the implementation of the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) and the Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS) initiated in 2003 and 2005. PU-AMI is a key implementing partner for both the BPHS and EPHS programmes.

PU-AMI’s strategy in the country :

We strongly believe that PU-AMI’s action can contribute to improving the lives of Afghans. Therefore, and despite the uncertainty brought by the “transition” in 2014 and onwards, PU-AMI reaffirms its commitment to support the Afghan people through its strategy based on its experience of the country and expertise in health interventions. Added to the implementation of national health system in two provinces since the beginning of 2003, PU-AMI in Afghanistan has decided to implement interventions on emergency preparedness and medical interventions for conflict-affected populations. PU-AMI is operational in Daykundi province in Central Afghanistan and Kunar and Nangarhar provinces of Eastern Afghanistan.

With 2014 being the worst year on record in terms of civilian casualties, it is crucial to have health staff prepared and equipped for mass casualties and population displacements. In the coming years, PU-AMI will also develop integrated projects with WASH, rehabilitation and economic recovery activities.

As part of our activities in Afghanistan, we are looking for a Deputy Area Coordinator.

The Deputy Area Coordinator will manage and support the Project Managers in the Eastern region for the implementation of activities under the shorter-term emergency response projects, will ensure the relevance of the activities implemented in line with PU-AMI strategy, and will propose new interventions in line with the evolution of the humanitarian situation in the area.

• Programmes: He/She coordinates the project teams and ensures the operational and qualitative aspects of emergency programmes are put into practice properly (monitoring of objectives, respecting due dates and budgetary provisions, quality control, synergy of the teams) according to the contractual documents and in line with PU-AMI policies and procedures


• Human Resources:He/She will be the direct line manager of up to five Project Managers in the region and will ensure that appropriate support and capacity building is brought to the senior managers of the programmes


• Logistics and Administration: He/She will oversee the logistic and administrative duties of the projects with the support of the expatriate Logistician for the Eastern Region.


• Safety and Security: Under the direct supervision of the Area Coordinator, he/she will be responsible for following safety and security rules on-base and in Eastern region, and will transmit all safety and security information to the Area Coordinator. The Deputy Area Coordinator may take primary responsibility for security management for the region during any absence of the Area Coordinator.


• Strategy: He/She will ensure that the programmess developed are in line with PU-AMI mandate and strategy, and will propose new interventions according to the evolution of the humanitarian situation in the Eastern region. Specific focus should be put on the collaboration with other stakeholders in the region for coordinated humanitarian responses.

Training and Experiences :

• Training in Project Cycle Management, Humanitarian Standard


• Management experience of humanitarian projects


• Successful experience in large team management and the management of multi-sectorial programmes


• Team Management of medical teams


• Understanding of institutional donors(OFDA, ECHO, UN agencies, etc.) procedures


• Current user of the pack Office

Languages :

• English mandatory


• French is an asset

Conditions :

• Employed with a Fixed-Term Contract


• Minimum Duration of commitment : 6 months.


• Starting date : 01/10/2015.


• Monthly gross income: from 1 870 up to 2 200 Euros depending on the experience in International Solidarity + 50 Euros per semester seniority with PU-AMI


• Cost covered: Round-trip transportation to and from home / mission, visas, vaccines, etc.


• Insuranceincluding medical coverage and complementary healthcare, 24/7 assistance and repatriation


• Housing in collective accommodation


• Daily living Expenses (« Per diem ») of 600 Euros


• Break Policy : 5 working days at 3 and 9 months + break allowance

Do not hesitate to look at the job description on our website for all the details you need.