Deputy Head of Delegation, Afghanistan
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Contract type: Fixed Term BRC Contract (1-year), seconded to IFRC
Salary: £54,000 – £58,000 plus monthly in-country allowance

This is a unique opportunity to provide leadership support to ensure implementation of the IFRC Agenda for Renewal in Afghanistan, focusing more on National Society Development, effective membership coordination, leadership, and transformation.

About the role…

The IFRC has had a consistent presence in Afghanistan since 1990 to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS)’s development, auxiliary role and outreach, contributing to its partnership development, humanitarian footprint and sustainability. The IFRC coordinates and facilitates engagement from and cooperation with Partner National Societies and represents them in the country as an international organisation.

The Deputy Head of Delegation will ensure strong attention to scaling up activities in in Afghanistan around National Society Development, humanitarian assistance, strategic and operational coordination, and representing the collective work of the IFRC Membership.

The role will be responsible for representing the IFRC with stakeholders and partners in Afghanistan, including government agencies and institutions, diplomatic missions and international organisations and actors, and support the ARCS in reinforcing its auxiliary role in the country.

The Deputy HOD will act as a focal point to support ARCS in managing programmes and coordinating interdisciplinary projects. They will have oversight of all initiatives and be accountable for the delivery of activities by programme and operation staff in Afghanistan.

What you will bring to the role…

You will have significant demonstrable experience (7+ years) in managing operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and/or development cooperation organisation. Significant experience within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement preferred.

You will have knowledge and experience in the full cycle of programme management.

You will have strong people management and organisational skills, with a proven ability to delegate authority and responsibility.

You will have a proven record of security regulations implementation.

For more information, please refer to the complete Job Description and Person Specification

About the team…

This role will be contracted by BRC and seconded to the IFRC.

Currently, Afghanistan is reeling from a complex humanitarian crisis resulting from a convergence conflict, drought, food insecurity, displacement, gaps in health services and economic hardships. Furthermore, winter season will start soon, with potential for severe impact on people whose coping capacities are already weakened. During August, the country’s political context changed drastically, and the new authorities continue to consolidate state power and to appoint officials to fill key government positions.

In this backdrop, the IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal seeking 36 million Swiss francs for supporting ARCS to scale up its humanitarian response for addressing needs wrought by multiple humanitarian crises. The Emergency Appeal operation is categorized as ‘Red’, in line with the IFRC Emergency Response Framework (ERF), implying the need for activating system-wide support by all levels of the IFRC Secretariat. Consequently, the Afghanistan Country Delegation team will be strengthened with additional temporary capacity mobilized via the IFRC Rapid Response mechanism, technical support missions or fast-track recruitments.

Please note that for contracting purposes, we are unfortunately unable to consider candidates holding Afghan nationality.

Closing date for applications is 23:59 BST 1 May 2024.
Interviews will take place week commencing 13 May 2024.

Should you have any questions on this role please email us at [email protected] quoting the job title.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, these include:

• Accommodation while on deployment
• Subsistence allowances while overseas
• Travel to and from the country of posting, plus long service flights
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, personal effects and life insurance
• Pre and post assignment medicals and access to excellent health and wellbeing benefits
• Access to a pension, which you can join at any time during your contract
• Generous leave entitlement (36 days incl. public holidays)

Click here to learn more about British Red Cross’ work internationally

A little bit more about us…

The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK and overseas; get the support they need if crisis strikes.

Our organisation was born out of a desire to bring help without discrimination.
Impartiality and neutrality have been central values for the Red Cross since we started.

At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the best people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by crisis in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Diversity is something we celebrate, and we want you to be able to bring your authentic-self to the Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.

In the British Red Cross we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place, and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where misconduct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.

British Red Cross also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme for roles within the International Directorate. In line with the scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

If you are appointed to a role within BRC you will be subject to the organisation’s Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website.

As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults.

If driving is an essential requirement of the role, appropriate driver checks will be completed in line with current policy.

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