Afghanistan: Country Programme Manager (Afghanistan)

Free to Run

Free to Run is a non-profit organization that uses running, physical fitness and outdoor adventure as a means of empowering and educating females in conflict-affected communities to overcome the harmful effects of gender, religious and ethnic discrimination. By creating and supporting an environment for women and girls to participate in sport and physical education, Free to Run aims to use the power of sport to change lives and communities in areas of greatest need.

Our programmes are carefully designed based on extensive experience of working in conflict-affected areas, in-depth research, and significant consultation with local partners. Currently operating in Afghanistan and with refugee populations in Hong Kong, we focus on producing a meaningful and sustainable impact, one girl, one woman, and one community at a time. In Afghanistan, Free to Run is currently operating in three provinces: in the Central Highlands Region, Free to Run is working at the high school and university level to provide regular sports activities for female students; in the Central Region, Free to Run is working on a yoga project for victims of domestic violence living in shelters; and in the Northern Region, Free to Run has recently established a running club. Throughout the year, we also organize special events and expeditions, and increase access for our participants to international opportunities. Free to Run has trained and supported two ultramarathon teams from Afghanistan to successfully complete 250 km races internationally.

Founded in 2014 staffed primarily by volunteers, Free to Run is a young organization, which has attracted attention with a number of unprecedented programmes run in Afghanistan. It offers exciting opportunities for growth and personal development, particularly for recent graduates interested in project management, sports for development and peace, or conflict studies.

Job Description

Free to Run seeks a country programme manager to support Free to Run’s President in consolidating the day-to-day running of its Afghanistan activities for a period of six months (with possibility of renewal).

The Country Programme Manager will be responsible for implementing, managing and coordinating Free to Run’s programmes in Afghanistan and for supporting the capacity-building of local staff in these areas. In addition, he/she will represent Free to Run in relevant in-country platforms and donor discussions. The Programme Manager will report directly to the Free to Run President and liaise closely with Free to Run’s partners in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan.

Main Areas of Responsibility

· Programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;

· Networking and representation on behalf of Free to Run;

· Identification of funding opportunities;

· Capacity development of local partner organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities Will Include (but not be limited to):

· Coordinating the day to day activities across three provinces, including through:

• Implementing projects according to activities set out in the annual work plan


• Helping coordinate the work of national staff across the country


• Coordinating volunteer schedules for shelter activities


• Managing programme funds


• Regularly communicating with Free to Run’s ambassadors and coordinating their participation in events


• Compiling human interest stories and providing input to Free to Run’s social media strategy

· Providing training for, and technical advice to, national staff and volunteers

· Supporting national staff and partners to prepare and submit timely and quality financial and narrative reports

· Contributing to programme development, strategic positioning, programme cycle management (identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting)

· Providing logistical support for board member visits in-country

· Interacting with the donor community in Kabul

Compensation

Due to the small size of the organization, this is a volunteer position that is remunerated with a stipend ($1000 per month) and might best be suited for somebody already living in Afghanistan or with a keen interest in gaining development experience in-country. Free to Run is committed to supporting volunteer staff grow into other opportunities in the future. Free to Run will cover emergency and medical evacuation insurance, visa fees, and a maximum of $1000 towards costs of round-trip airfare to Kabul. In addition, during each six-month period, two payments of $500 will be provided towards round-trip flights to Dubai for rest and recuperation purposes. Housing will be provided or a reasonable stipend to cover the costs of rent.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must:

• Be passionate about women’s empowerment, international development, and appreciate sports and adventure.


• Have travelled to or lived in a conflict affected or developing country and be comfortable with living in a high risk environment.


• Be comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.


• Be familiar with the challenges facing women in conflict areas.


• Have the ability to work independently and against multiple deadlines.


• Be organized, able to multi-task, and a creative problem solver.


• Have demonstrated ability to coordinate logistics and implement action plans.


• Be willing and ready to learn quickly.


• Have prior work experience.


• Have excellent written communication skills and able to use Microsoft Office programmes.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience with developing, managing and monitoring development programmes in conflict areas, including knowledge of logframes and use of indicators and baselines.


• Experience assessing needs.


• Experience in fundraising and grant writing.


• Strong (financial) project management, analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Experience working with internationally-funded programmes, including coordination, reporting and monitoring according to different donor templates.


• Experience in working with local NGOs, preferably with communities in conflict-affected states.


• Basic knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto.

Specifics of Duty Station:

The Country Programme Manager will be mainly based in Kabul, with frequent travel to Mazar and Bamyan for project monitoring and coordination meetings. The safety and security situation in Afghanistan remains volatile, but is constantly being monitored by Free to Run and its partner organizations.