Head of Mission

Position description

WORK CONTEXT

CESVI recently re-activated its presence in Afghanistan and is starting a new humanitarian project in the districts of Herat and Ghazni in the sectors of Food Security&Livelihoods, WASH and DRR.

The Head of Mission will be responsible for

• The operational set-up of CESVI Afghanistan;
• The design of CESVI humanitarian strategy for the country, through an in-depth humanitarian and stakeholders’ analysis;
• The consolidation of CESVIs’ presence in Afghanistan increasing its projects and donors’ portfolio, with the support of the regional and HQ team.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The main duty station will be Kabul, with regular visits to Herat and field missions’ country-wide in line with the security conditions.

Coordination and overall supervision of Country’s programmes and procedures

• Supervising projects and giving support to the staff in reaching foreseen objectives in a timely manner, in respect of deadlines and by an efficient use of resources;
• Monitoring activities, both technical and at administrative level, in coordination with the Area Manager and according to the established timetable;
• Coordination of staff to guarantee (ongoing and new) projects activities and implementation reports, submission of financial reports to donors in coordination with the Regional Manager.

Management of CESVI offices, goods, documentation and procurement

• Supervision and coordination of potential opening of new offices (in coordination with the Regional Manager and Security Manager) if necessary to guarantee operations in the country;
• Supervision the monitoring of field operational offices, proceeding, in accordance with the Project Managers and Administrators, to their organization and ensuring their full operation;
• Supervising administration and application of CESVI internal procedures for the Country.

Human Resources management

• Supervision and management of expatriate staff, in coordination with the Regional Manager, including supporting them in compliance with the legal framework related to their presence in the country;
• Supervision on all local human resources about the contract, ensuring compliance of operations with local employment law including NGO law, tax, employment, Health and Safety, Insurance and any other applicable law. Conduct and record periodical meeting with staff to verify activities implementation, problems and getting solutions;
• Informing and training local staff through appropriate training courses in the principles set out in the following policies, and all other Policies or formal provisions that will be developed and shared by CESVI: Human Resources Policy; CESVI Staff Code of Conduct and Code of Conduct of the destination country (if any); Safeguarding Policies; Policy to Prevent Corruption and Fraud; CESVI Ethical Code; Conflict resolution and complaints management.

Lead in the definition and development of Afghanistan Programme strategy

• Contributing to the definition of a Country Strategy Paper in collaboration with the Regional Manager;
• Identifying the main intervention sectors, areas and needs in the Country in coordination with the Regional Manager and in collaboration with the Project Managers;
• Update of Country Strategy Paper and application of related Recommendations, in coordination with Regional Manager and in collaboration with the Project Managers;
• Keep regularly informed the HQ on risks regarding the implementation of the country strategy or the need to review the strategy itself;
• Develop, in coordination with the Regional Manager, new programme initiatives and actively lead the current emergency operations towards a long/medium term integrated and regional programme.

Writing and submitting new proposals, donor acquisition

• Monitoring of calls for proposal for Afghanistan;
• Liaising with potential donors, writing and submitting new proposals in collaboration with the Project Managers;
• Develop new project proposals in the country referring to CESVI’s sector of specialization and in close cooperation with the country team through assessments realized both at the national level or in close countries if necessary and requested by HQ;
• Participation and supervision of the entire writing process of project proposals in close collaboration with the Project Managers, under the guidance of the Regional Manager and in coordination with the Project Development Unit Manager;
• Follow up on project proposals submitted to/being negotiated with different donors.

Coordination and representation with stakeholders

• Management and coordination of relations with local and international partners, particularly with Alliance 2015 members;
• Promoting and organizing meeting with donors, institutions, NGOs, local government and international agencies, in close collaboration with the Project Manager.

Security Management

• Setting, in coordination with HQ and the Security Advisor, potential rules and regulations to strengthen security for CESVI staff, means and goods;
• Guaranteeing the respect of CESVI Security Plan and other rules and regulations on security, in close collaboration with the Security Advisor;
• Having constant contact with the Regional Manager and the Security Advisor to coordinate actions to be undertaken;
• Participating actively in security coordination mechanisms present in the Country.

Implementation of Safeguarding policies – Adult at risk/Child Safeguarding/PSEA

• Ensuring Safeguarding measures are implemented within his/her area of responsibility;
• Ensuring Safeguarding measures are in place and staff, associates and other key stakeholders are made aware of and supported in implementing these measures;
• Ensuring Safeguarding measures are integrated with existing processes and systems (strategic planning, budgeting, recruitment, programme cycle management, performance management, procurement, partner agreements etc.);
• Follow up and address Safeguarding issues appropriately.

 

Qualifications

• University degree or post graduate degree.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

• Minimum 7 or 8 years of relevant experience in NGO environment in management, administration and implementation of programs for refugees, IDPs, mix migrants;
• Knowledge of main Donors (EU-DEVCO, Italian MFA, UN, DG Echo and other international donors);
• Familiarity with the following sectors: WASH, livelihood, DRR;
• Experience of managing multi-donor and multi-site programmes;
• Extensive experience of working within a complex country programme in an emergency response or fragile state, protracted crises;
• Previous experience in the set-up and management of a programme-based mission.

SKILLS

• Knowledge of effective financial and budgetary planning and control, review and evaluation;
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high-quality narrative reports;
• Ability to develop policies, plans, and strategies for implementation, if needed;
• Solid diplomatic skills: the ability to manage a variety of internal and external relationships, especially with partners;
• Experience in building personal networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organization;
• Proven leadership and management experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including active mentoring and coaching;
• Effective team membership integration ability;
• Skills in developing, delivering and evaluating training for staff members;
• Solid security management skills;
• Good communication and leadership skills;
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills;
• Strategic thinking and innovation;
• Self-motivated, able to take initiative, resilient and able to work independently;
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively;
• Highly result oriented with the ability to manage workload and stress;
• Flexible and with a positive attitude;
• High level of IT skills (Office package);
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Prior working experience in Central Asia; knowledge of the Afghani context will be considered a plus;
• Knowledge of Pashtu.

Application instructions

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