Afghanistan: Head of Program - Afghanistan

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES is a non-governmental organization for humanitarian aid. Today we work in more than 60 countries where our volunteers bring their aid to populations in distress, to victims of aggression and war, regardless of religion, beliefs or politics. MSF Operational Centre of Brussels is looking for a:

HEAD OF PROGRAM (HoP) Afghanistan (M/F)

Project Context

MSF has been present in Afghanistan since 1980. Following the killing of 5 MSF workers in June 2004, the 5 MSF operational centers (OCs) closed their missions. In 2009 MSF reopened Afghanistan under conditions agreed upon by all OCs. MSF would be present in Afghanistan as a unique organization with a single representation. OCB lead the reopening with one Country Representative for all OCs present in the country (OCB since 2009, OCA in 2012 and OCP in 2014). In 2015, MSF operates 6 projects in different provinces (Kabul, Kunduz, Khost, Helmand, and Kandahar). These projects represent around 80 international staff and about 2.000 nationals.

The current set-up is of one country representative assisted by 3 heads of program (HoP), each of them steering the daily operations of her/his OC, in collaboration with a medical coordinator and a national deputy Medco for each OC. The CR remains the final decision maker in the mission for what concern security, representation, communication. Logistics with a back office of technical experts, supply, finance, human resources and administration are transversal and common for the 3 sections. While coordination from the support departments to the different HQs is mainly channelled through OCB HQ, HoPs and MedCos have a direct operational link with their respective desk or cell. This set-up allows a great autonomy in the operations for each section while benefiting from the expertise of a strong technical coordination and keeping the coherence of a single organization in terms of representation.

Main responsibilities

Under the final responsibility of the country representative, the head of program (HoP), in collaboration with the medical coordinator (MedCo), is in charge of the daily operational follow-up and support to the projects of her/his own operational centre (OC). The head of program supports the project coordinators (PCs) to:

• 
  

  develop and steer MSF operations according to the project planning

  
  


• 
  

  manage the project resources (HR, LOG, FINANCE, SUPPLY)

  
  


• 
  

  represent MSF in the project location

  
  


• 
  

  manage the safety and security of the project

  
  


• 
  

  develop the communication of the project

  
  

The HoP can be asked to back-up the CR during his absence. The HoP contributes to the writing of the Country Policy Paper, and the monthly coordination SITREP. By delegation from the CR, one of the HoP is in charge of the security for the whole coordination in Kabul and for security matters liaises with the PCs based in Kabul.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of EXPERIENCE IN MSF IS MANDATORY, including management of operations (PC, Medco, HoM) of which minimum 2 years in coordination position


• Experience in management of safety and security in volatile contexts


• Experience in working with more than one Operational Centre is an asset


• Experience in humanitarian crisis contexts (analysis, security, advocacy, representation)


• Experience in project management

Competencies

• Leadership and managerial competencies


• Organisational skills


• Negotiation skills


• Adaptable and flexible


• Capacity to live in compounded environments


• Social skills

Languages

• English is compulsory


• Pashtun and/or Dari is an asset

Conditions

• One year fixed-term field contract (extendable)


• Salary according to MSF-OCB Field salary scale. Transport, accommodation, vaccination are taken in charge by MSF. Per diem + medical insurance


• Expected starting date: May 2016