Afghanistan: Deputy Country Director - Afghanistan
Department: Management
Position: Deputy Country Director – Afghanistan
Contract duration: 12 months
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Starting Date: ASAP
I. Background on ACTED
Since 1993, as an international non-governmental organization, ACTED has been committed to immediate humanitarian relief to support those in urgent need and protect people’s dignity, while co-creating longer term opportunities for sustainable growth and fulfilling people’s potential.
ACTED endeavors to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience; promote inclusive and sustainable growth; co-construct effective governance and support the building of civil society worldwide by investing in people and their potential.
We go the last kilometer: ACTED’s mission is to save lives and support people in meeting their needs in hard to reach areas. ACTED develops and implements programs that target the most vulnerable amongst populations that have suffered from conflict, natural disaster, or socio-economic hardship. ACTED’s approach looks beyond the immediate emergency towards opportunities for longer term livelihoods reconstruction and sustainable development.
With a budget of 164 million EUR in 2014, ACTED is active in 35 countries and implements more than 450 projects a year reaching over 8 million beneficiaries with 400 international staff and 4,300 national staff.
II. Country Profile
Capital Office: Kabul
Areas: 3 (2014)
On-going Projects: 26 (2014)
Budget: 15.9 M euros (2014)
National Staff: 921 (2014)
ACTED continues to build on 17 years of uninterrupted presence in Afghanistan, with 900 staff of whom 98 % are Afghan nationals, dedicated to the people of Afghanistan and to rebuilding their country. ACTED consolidates its work in eight of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in the north of the country and our beneficiaries, while predominantly from rural, agricultural-based areas, typify the diversity which is Afghanistan, inclusive of different ethnic groups, languages, customs and traditions.
ACTED works with 8% of the population, building sustainable livelihoods in a holistic way in seven Northern provinces. We empower people to secure ownership of and access to resources, and income-earning activities, including building reserves and assets to offset risk, shocks and to meet contingencies and emergencies which have continued to affect the country. The conflict presents challenges, but we continue to deliver emergency and development programs with continued support of communities and the determination of our staff.
ACTED’s program has six objectives: human, social, natural, financial, political and physical capital development.
ACTED works in partnership with NGOs and the government to deliver key national programs. We represent and advocates on behalf of NGOs as an elected member of the MAIL NGO Coordination Unit and the NSP Facilitating Partners Representative Group. The Afghanistan Livelihoods Network (ALN), an initiative of ACTED, fills a gap in the development sector with 90 organizations attending our best practice workshops. We participate in other humanitarian and early recovery coordination mechanisms. We continue to serve as an elected member of the governing bodies of the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR, which represents 120 member NGOs) and the Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium. We also serve as a member of the governing bodies of local organizations.
Sustainable livelihoods security is a long term development strategy. We continue to design and deliver holistic programs which have shown tangible results. As such, our focus is to continue providing communities with the means to identify their own priorities. Programs remain evidence-based and relevant to needs. Inclusion of young people and women is key priorities and we will continue to respond to emergencies if they arise, while continuing to support civil society, improve coordination and increase regional dialogue with neighboring countries.
III. Position Profile
The Deputy Country Director (DCD) is the second most senior ACTED staff member at country-level. In close partnership with the Country Director and/or HQ Director in charge, the DCD is responsible for the coordination of programming aspects of the mission. This includes the direct management of:
(a) Coordination of reporting, project development and external communication
(b) Coordination of internal reporting and communication
(c) Coordination of Appraisal, Monitoring and Evaluation unit
(d) GIS/REACH
The DCD works under the close supervision of the Country Director and/or HQ Director in charge.
All functions listed below are shared with the Country Director. It is therefore essential that the DCD coordinate his/her functions with the Country Director or with HQ director in charge on a regular basis.
In his/her Programmatic Functions, the Deputy Country Director ensures that the mission’s ongoing and planned projects are relevant to the context and in line with contractual obligations with our donors.
1. Coordination of reporting, project development and external communication
1.1 Ensure that ACTED is aware of funding opportunities and strategies of major stakeholders:
Developing an external donors relation strategy
Be familiar with all major stakeholder country and regional strategies (including all major donors) and identify synergies with ACTED’s operations
Regularly monitor relevant donor websites for funding opportunities.
1.2 Supervise the submission of proposals to donors
Ensure that ACTED applies to all relevant funding opportunities in-country
Coordinate the work plan for proposal drafting, linking to all relevant depts (FLAT, program, AME and Reporting)
Ensure that all applications are relevant to contextual needs, donor requirements as well as ACTED’s operational capacity and strategy
Manage a team of Area Coordinators, Program Managers and technical staff to ensure that proposals are developed in a cohesive and professional manner and in line with ACTED country strategy and donor requirements
1.3 Ensure that ACTED regularly updates and produces visibility material
Develop and follow up visibility requirements of donors;
Define the main target groups, activities, resources and partnerships needed to develop an external communication strategy
Ensure that in addition, ACTED promotes in-country visibility action such as leaflets/brochures, strategy papers, assessment/sectoral reports; newsletter, etc.
Link with HQ regarding regular contributions to ACTED websites and newsletters
1.4 Participate in external meetings
Act as point of contact for all donor communication, including the organization
Attend NGO/UN/govt coordination meetings
Link regularly with other humanitarian actors. In particular, follow up any partnerships with other NGOs
When relevant and following instructions by CD and /or ACTED HQ Director in charge, participate in meetings with donors
2. Coordination of internal reporting and communication
2.1 Organization and supervision of regular coordination meetings
Ensure, in coordination with the DCD-Operations, that all coordination meetings are held and documented (capital coordination meetings, area coordination meetings, monthly coordination meetings, quarterly country coordination meetings)
Prepare and chair, in coordination with the DCD-Operations, country-level monthly coordination meetings
Ensure that weekly area meetings are organized in each area and review minutes
2.2 Ensure regular internal reporting
Receive and (with CD) review Monthly Area Reports
Receive and review monthly reports form all Program Managers and Technical Advisers
Receive and review the PMF on a monthly basis
3. Coordination of AME (Appraisal, Monitoring & Evaluation)
3.1 Project Cycle Management
Facilitate the development and implementation of project cycle management through usage of PCM guide, incl. tools and procedures
Ensure that staff is trained to use the PCM guide and related tools and procedures, and notably follow up the implementation of the Project Management framework (PMF, ACTED PCM Tool) for all projects
3.2 Assessments follow-up
Validation and follow up of the AME Department work plan
Ensure that appraisal, monitoring and evaluation reports are made useful for fundraising and add to the general base of field knowledge in the country for all organizations working in the area
Organize regular meetings with the AME coordinator to update on the dept’s progress Ensure that AME plans are made for each project and program of intervention
Validate all AME assessments reports for external dissemination and ensure that each report is followed up by concrete action from the assessed program/area team
4. GIS/REACH
Follow up GIS/REACH department and work plans
Ensure a close linkage between the AME, reporting and ad hoc mapping needs with Country Coordination
Follow up all institutional external relations linked to GIS/Assessments (Governments, NGO, Clusters, Partners)
Ensure that the country has a functioning MIS/database system
IV. Qualifications
At least 4 to 5 years of working experience in insecure environments; preferably in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East
Demonstrated communication and organizational skills
Ability to train, mobilize, and manage both international and national staff
Flexibility and ability to multi-task under pressure
Ability to work well in unstable and frequently changing security environments
Willingness to work and live in often remote areas under basic conditions
Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office
Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English
V. Conditions
Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
Additional monthly living allowance
Free food and lodging provided at the organization’s guesthouse
Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package
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