A COUNTRY DIRECTOR – AFGHANISTAN

About : Action contre la Faim

Founded in 1979, Action contre la Faim is an international non-governmental organization fighting hunger worldwide. Its charter of humanitarian principles – independence, neutrality, non-discrimination, free and direct access to victims, professionalism, transparency – has underpinned its identity for over 40 years. Its mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of undernutrition, particularly during and after emergency situations linked to conflicts and natural disasters. Action contre la Faim coordinates its programs around 5 areas of activity: Nutrition and Health – Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and Protection – Food Security and Livelihoods – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Advocacy. In 2022, Action contre la Faim helped more than 28 million people in 46 countries worldwide. www.actioncontrelafaim.org

Mission :

The main objective of your role as Country Director will be to lead the quality and timely implementation of the country strategy of Action contre la Faim in Afghanistan and oversee the overall management of the country team in line with ACF values, quality standards and processes in a context of critical humanitarian needs and very challenging and constrained operating environment.
Your responsibilities will be to :
Provide the overall leadership and strategic guidance of the Country Office, which operates in 5 provinces (Ghor, Dai Kundi, Badakhshan, Hellmand and Kabul)
Oversee the development, funding and implementation of the country strategy. ACF program portfolio in Afghanistan includes health and nutrition, Mental health and Psycho Social practices, WASH, Food security and livelihoods
Ensure that systems / procedures are in place and being properly implemented, and that they ensure the proper management, well being and safety of ACF staff, and the proper use of ACF resources
Build on best practices previously developed by the country team
Create a shared vision among all staff, promoting ACF Charter and ensuring an organizational culture where ACF core values are embedded, team work is encouraged and all staff feels valued
Establish and maintain good working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners

The key challenges that the country office is currently facing are:
A very complex humanitarian space with extremely huge humanitarian needs, where women’s right are extremely restricted, which directly impact NGOs with the Female staff ban (with exemption on the health / nutrition and education sector).
The ability to operate is evolving and regularly challenged by the Taleban de-facto authorities.
Afghanistan is a volatile environment where there is insecurity, in Kabul, and to a lower extend in its areas of operation.
ACF Afghanistan is implementing an ambitious country programme with large scale activities in the field of health nutrition, a country programme which has grown quickly in the past years since the Taleban took over the country and is in process of stabilizing.

Starting date : 09-12-2024

Profile :

You hold a Master degree with 10 years relevant professional experience (13 years for a Bachelor degree).

You have minimum 8 years of humanitarian experience, and at least 6 years of senior management or leadership experience, including team leadership and at least 3 years of previous experience as Country Director or equivalent role.

You have excellent management, organizational and interpersonal skills, with an experience of managing directly senior leaders.

You have excellent adaptation and culturally sensitivity skills, and excellent understanding of gender challenge and are extremely sensitive to gender issues.

You have a very strong understanding of financial and logistics management.

You are skilled and experienced in Program Management, and you are able to demonstrate knowledge of best practices (including fraud and PSEA prevention and management) in country team and performance management.
You have a significant experience of managing security in a volatile environment.
You have a demonstrated successful experience with external representation and promotion of programs with stakeholders and potential donors, and you are able to demonstrate leadership in representation with other humanitarian and development actors.
You are particularly skilled at negotiation and advocacy, you are politically astute, and you are an excellent decision maker.

Conditions d’emploi
Fixed term contract under French legislation: 18 months
Monthly gross salary from 4 108 to 5 326 euros upon experience
Reimbursement of the pension insurance for non-French citizens: 16% of the gross monthly salary
Annual salary increase: 6% increase after and each 12 months of continuous contract
Monthly per diem and living allowance: 645euros net, field paid
Monthly country allowance: 450euros
Child allowance: 1500euros per year per child present in the country of origin (maximum 6000euros/year)
Transportation and accommodation: Coverage of transportation costs and guest house
Medical coverage: ACF covers 100% of the social security, health insurance, and repatriation insurance agreement fees.
Salary sustainment measures (sickness, paternity, maternity)
Leaves and RnR: 25 days of paid leaves per year, 20 RnR per year, airfare reimbursement with a ceiling to get to the chosen break destination, and 215 euros for each RnR period
Accompaniment and trainings