Country Director - Medair - Kabul, Afghanistan

Country: Afghanistan 

Specific location: Kabul

Role and Responsibilities

Leading a diverse team who are committed to serve the world’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care, the Country Director oversees all programme and support activities in-country. Representing Medair in all issues relating to the country programme, the Country Director plays a key role in donor relations and manages the country strategy and the project implementation in conjunction with senior field managers.

Project Overview

The projects Medair will be implementing over the coming year will be: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene education, Food Aid, Food Security and Livelihoods, Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response (as part of a consortium). We are actively looking to develop new areas and programmes.

Medair 

Medair brings life-saving relief and rehabilitation in disasters, conflict areas, and other crises by working alongside the most vulnerable. Its Internationally Recruited (IRS) and HQ staff are inspired by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing practical and compassionate support, regardless of race, religion, or politics. Medair has achieved the ISO 9001:2008 certification, worldwide. This certification signifies that Medair effectively delivers goods and services with a focus on beneficiary needs. Founded in 1989, Medair’s unwavering commitment continues to bring hope to the world’s most vulnerable.

Starting Date 

1st of December 2012

Initial Contract Details

 24 months, 100%

Key Activity Areas

Leadership and Management

• Design, update and evaluate the country strategy.
• Support and oversee the monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the implementation of the planned activities in accordance with the project proposals and logical frameworks and institutional donor policies and guidelines.
• Ensure all programme activities and support functions comply with applicable national and international laws and regulations, including in-country registration.

Donor Relations Management

• Develop and maintain contact with the in-country representatives of relevant funding partners order to secure funding.
• Oversee the drafting and presentation of all proposals, operational and financial reports related to the country programme, in collaboration with the relevant senior field managers and HQ staff.

Communications

• Develop and maintain relationships with authorities, churches, donors, media, other NGOs and embassies with the objective of raising public awareness and identifying funding opportunities and other potential partnerships.

Financial Management

• Support the planning and construction of project budgets.
• Manage the spending within the programme in-line with the approved budgets. Analyse projected cash flow, decide on the timing of major procurements, oversee audits and anticipate where over or under spending may occur and ensure necessary action is taken.

Staff Management

• Oversee all HR related issues within the programme including job descriptions, recruitment, appraisal, management, development and training, health and safety, team structures, disciplinary action, etc. in collaboration with the relevant staff and managers.

Security Management

• Oversee the updating and implementation of country security plans, guidelines and manuals.
• Ensure appropriate security procedures and awareness are maintained throughout the country programme.
• Take the lead on decision making and contingency planning during security incidents or threats.

Quality Management

• Ensure country programmes are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as Management / Development Studies / Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject
• Post-graduate degree in the humanitarian sector desirable; Security management training desirable

Experience / Competencies

• 3 years post-qualification experience in a management position
• 1 years post-qualification experience in a complex humanitarian emergency
• Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of humanitarian / emergency programmes; Experience in dealing with donors and government officials; Experience of representation at national and local levels; Conflict management skills desirable
• Willingness to be stretched professionally, personally, and spiritually desirable
• Networking and advocacy skills desirable; Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills; Advanced leadership and project management skills
• Actively looking for ways to improve the quality of Medair’s work
• Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips
• Committed to team-building and able to develop and support other team members
• Self-motivated, energetic, hard-working, servant-hearted

Medair standard working requirements for the field

• Experienced professionals in a relevant field
• Committed Christian
• Commitment to Medair values (faith, hope, accountability, integrity, dignity, compassion)
• Overseas intercultural experience
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written)
• Working knowledge of French (spoken and written) for French-speaking roles
• Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.
• Competent with Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Successful completion of Medair Relief & Rehabilitation Orientation Course (ROC)
• Reflect the vision and values of Medair when interacting with team members, local staff, beneficiaries and external contacts
• Able to live and work with a multicultural team under difficult conditions
• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit

Benefits

• A salary based upon the grade of the position and the experience of the position-holder
• Full briefing at our Swiss headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing
• Security training for those going to particularly insecure environments
• Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country
• Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service)
• Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food)
• Annual leave and additional benefits for those who commit to longer contracts: up to four weeks additional paid leave every 12 months, and re-entry allowance
• Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post- assignment coverage, including debriefing

Working Conditions 

• This is a field-based position and living conditions may be basic.

Application Process
To complete the application form for this position please follow this link.

We request that you complete all applications on-line here at www.medair.org. Only English-language applications and CV’s will be reviewed. We will not review email applications. Medair does not normally set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled. We review every online application.