Who are we?

DRC began working in Afghanistan in the 1990s with Humanitarian Mine Action and expanded its scope and reach of programming in 2011 to provide multi-sector and holistic packages of assistance. Activities are currently implemented in four regions of the country. These focus on the most vulnerable populations and their needs, including people who are at risk of being affected by conflict, natural hazards and disastera, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, and returnees.

DRC responds to what remains a protracted humanitarian crisis through a multi-pronged approach. This means that DRC aims at addressing the critical needs of extremely vulnerable and shock-affected populations while also providing medium- to longer-term solutions that focus on root causes of the crisis.

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Country Director for Kabul, Afghanistan.

Background

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

• Ultimately accountable in country for all aspects of DRC’s work in country
• Leading the consolidation and at the same time development of the programme, continuing the process of developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives
• Ensuring that the financial management and organizational setup is adapted to the operational context
• Sets direction, leads, maintains team morale, safety and welfare, and manages resources
• Delegates specific duties as necessary, while maintaining oversight and accountability

Duties and Responsibilities

Representation
• Represent the programme to authorities, donors, partners, and in various co-ordination forums
• Strengthen DRC’s position nationally and regionally
• Ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors

Direct managerial oversight and support
• Ensure that the members of the Senior Management Team have clear and realistic performance based management goals
• Overall management of the operation and direct manager for senior staff members. This includes coaching, ensuring co-ordination between managers, recruiting, and development of staff
• Frequent travel to the field offices for direct operational support and representation
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.

Fundraising and Advocacy
• As the majority of the fundraising is done locally, the Country Director will lead the process of applying for funding and broadening the funding basis in a challenging funding environment
• The Country Director will lead his/her team in writing concept papers, project proposals and budgets in line with the approved country strategy;
• Lead in the team’s advocacy in all DRC key messages.

Security and Safety
• Be accountable for ensuring that DRC country programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner
• Provide overall accountability for security, including development of and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring of the security situation, analysing and provision of recommendations

Support Services
• Together with the Head of Support Services, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements and ensuring that necessary systems are in place
• Manage the resources allocated effectively and transparently by respecting and meeting all legal requirements in country
• Oversee finance and administrative services in the Programmes

Human Resources
• Together with the HR team, provide leadership support to staff and promote best practices in human resources management
• Provide coaching and counselling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity
• Organise regular meetings with the senior management team and all staff for the purpose of exchanging information, coordination and learning
• Ensure that the country senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making

Programme development
• Lead the development and update of the programme strategy, within DRC’s overall regional and global strategic frameworks
• Lead the development of the programme within the strategic objectives and not being constrained by the current limitations of existing programming
• Ensure that DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Management handbooks, HAP standards etc.) are followed

Accountability and Quality
• Be accountable for ensuring that programmes comply with the organisational quality and accountability commitments
• Guided by the Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities and our presence

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 10 years’ relevant work experience in emergency contexts for a humanitarian agency or similar
• Minimum 8 years’ experience as people manager
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Proven experience managing large and complex humanitarian operations
• Work related experience from the region/country
• Broad organizational experience
• Experience in representing a large and leading international organisation to donors, external partners and authorities
• Experience with networking, advocacy and coordination
• Experience in financial and safety management

Languages

• English (Fluent)

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: (24) Months

Position Band: This position will be placed at Management (D) band

Preferable Start date: April, 2024

Duty station: Kabul, Afghanistan

Designation of Duty Station: Unaccompanied / Non Family Duty Station

Rest and Recuperation: As per DRC policy

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]

Application process

Interested to apply? All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: January 31, 2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.