Deputy Head of Delegation, Afghanistan

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. 

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.

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

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.