Director Programs Afghanistan

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration of 2 years. There are very good prospects for an extension. Employment location will be Kabul, Afghanistan (AF).

For more than four decades, Welthungerhilfe has been supporting people in Afghanistan, providing humanitarian aid since the early 1980s and maintaining a permanent presence in the country since 1992. After a shift towards long-term development programming post-2002, the organisation returned to large-scale humanitarian assistance following the international sanctions of August 2021, which brought development funding to a halt. Today, Welthungerhilfe operates in nine provinces across Afghanistan, delivering life-saving interventions that reach up to 600,000 people. With food security under severe strain and widespread acute malnutrition (IPC Phase 3) as well as critical pockets of IPC Phase 4, the need for effective humanitarian programming is urgent and growing.

As Director Programs, you work under the supervision of the Country Director and play a central role in steering Welthungerhilfe’s strategic and operational program direction in Afghanistan. Positioned in the salary scale below the Head of Programs, you support the implementation of the multi-annual country strategy to ensure maximum impact in line with Welthungerhilfe’s global strategy, relevant concept papers, and quality standards. In agreement with the Country Director, you represent Welthungerhilfe in the country and contribute to the development and implementation of programs and projects, continually strengthening the overall intervention concept. You oversee the implementation of the full project portfolio, guide project managers in applying Welthungerhilfe’s standard project cycle management, and support them in analyzing implementation challenges and identifying mitigation measures. Working closely with area managers, you assess and address access-related risks to ensure safe and effective project delivery. In addition, three international experts—covering food security & nutrition, agriculture & natural resource management, and grants management—report directly to you, enabling you to coordinate technical excellence across all program areas. Within the framework of responsibilities agreed with the Country Director, you also assume specific specialised duties essential to the effectiveness and quality of Welthungerhilfe’s work in Afghanistan.

Your responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of projects and programmes according to WHH quality standards, including an effective M&E system, and supervision of the use of funds and financial requirements
• Provide leadership, direction, and constructive performance management to Project Managers, Technical Experts, Grants/Donor Coordinator, and MEAL Coordinator, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and mutual trust.
• Contribute to organisational planning, strategic reviews, donor engagement, and resource mobilisation.
• Identify, examine and assess (pre-select) new project ideas on the basis of the country and intervention strategy as well as the concept papers and orientation framework and set standards.
• Coordinate the development of new project proposals and assure the quality donor reporting
• Participate in the recruitment and training of team members
• Operationalize and periodically review WHH Afghanistan’s multi-year country strategy, translating strategic ambitions into annual programme priorities, technical approaches, and measurable results.
• Support the Country Director in ensuring the impact of the country programme and provide regular updates on the status of the programme
• Develop partnerships, identify new partners and advise partner organizations on organizational and conceptual matters, ensuring the quality of projects and programmes and identifying capacity building measures
• Monitor the evolution of possible crises through early warning indicators
• Monitor, and where applicable, update or modify, in consultation with the Country Director, the WHH preparedness and contingency plan
• Represent Welthungerhilfe vis-à-vis other national and international, governmental, and non-governmental bodies as well as relief and development organizations

Your profile

• A university or college degree in humanitarian/development studies or an equivalent degree related to the position
• At least 5 years of professional experience in a similar position in which two years in fragile context,
• Regional experience working in Afghanistan, the global South, and/or in an insecure environment would be an asset
• Demonstrated experience in resilience or development programming is preferred. Specific expertise in one or more of the following technical areas is considered a strong asset: market/food systems development, economic empowerment, climate resilience, and anticipatory action.
• Experience in developing divers partnerships, including local partners, private sector, technical and research institutes
• Proven leadership and organizational skills, including financial planning and oversight
• Proven reporting skills, with excellent writing capacities for different audiences
• Ability to work under time pressure and high workload with high cultural sensibility
• You recognize the growing value of data within an organization and inspire teams to make decisions grounded in analysis and evidence
• Ability to work in an insecure environment and committed to adhere to strict security procedures
• Excellent spoken and written English

What we offer

• Fair Compensation: A fair and equal remuneration based on a transparent salary scale.
• Commitment to Well-Being: We attach great importance to our duty of care with a focus on safety, security & health.
• Modern & Agile Work Environment: Be part of a forward thinking organization that fully embraces digitalization and innovation across all areas.
• Personal & Professional Growth: Access diverse learning and development opportunities to advance your career.
• Team: Join our dedicated and diverse teams, where passion, expertise, and joy come together to create a better world.

In addition, Welthungerhilfe offers numerous other benefits, which you can find under Our benefits.

*Welthungerhilfe values diversity and ensures an inclusive, non-discriminatory working environment. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community.