Technical Director-Programme, Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA) Project

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Position: Technical Director-Programme, Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA) Project

Job Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

About the Role:

The AIYA ( Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity) aims to empower Afghan youth, particularly girls and young women, by equipping them with market-relevant technical and soft skills. This initiative seeks to enhance income, food security, and economic resilience among participants. The overarching goal of AIYA is to improve learning outcomes and livelihood opportunities for young women and men.

The purpose of this role holder is to provide technical support to the Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA) Consortium Project, by working in close collaboration with the project’s/ consortium Chief of Party (CoP). This position will provide technical assistance to all partner organisation of the consortium.

The Technical Director of Programs will ensure program technical quality, efficiency, and integrity throughout the project duration. The Technical Director will provide strategic oversight and technical guidance and will directly supervise technical component leads and ensure coordination with cross-cutting functions reporting directly to the CoP. This includes supporting the continual monitoring of program activities against goals, ensuring efficiency in project staffing, and defining and using standard operating procedures

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight, strategic direction and definition of appropriate project activities
• Establish and implement a system to ensure technical quality of project activities.
• Work closely with the CoP to provide overall leadership and technical guidance for the project.
• Ensure coordination with cross-cutting functions reporting to the country director in close consultation with the project CoP.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of project work plans, ensuring intentional cross component integration and alignment with project goals and objectives.
• In conjunction with the project Chief of Party and programme team of BRAC, provide technical expertise and oversee the empowerment of Afghan youth, particularly girls and young women, by equipping them with market-relevant technical and soft skills.
• Support budget planning, monitoring, and reporting to ensure that project activities are executed within approved budgets as required by the CoP.
• Supervise and mentor technical staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to establish and implement a comprehensive M&E framework for tracking project progress and outcomes and produce key learning products.
• Oversee M&E function, including preparation of all reports and deliverables as specified in the agreement.
• Build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders including government counterparts, private sector actors, local implementing partners, and programme participants.
• Support the preparation and submission of timely and accurate reports to USAID, highlighting project achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Ensure that the project activities align with the rules and regulations of USAID, the host country, and BRAC’s policies and procedures.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Establish a safeguarding culture across all levels of the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Responsible for ensuring team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in development studies, international relations, economics, business administration, economic development, or related field preferred

Required Skills, Competencies & Knowledge:

• Relevant experience and expertise in workforce development activities. Experience providing technical direction on USAID cooperative agreements and/or contracts.
• Experience and understanding of –
  • post-secondary technical and vocational education or learning opportunities for youth and
  • market-relevant skills to improve livelihood opportunities and engage in climate resilient agricultural value chains in their home, community, or other settings.
• Skills in training and capacity building, module development.
• Demonstrated skills in building and maintaining relationships with government counterparts, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and implementing partners.
• Experience with M&E systems for USAID projects including Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles and approaches preferred.
• Fluency in English required (spoken and written).
• Fluency in Dari or Pashto preferred (spoken and written).
• Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated inter-cultural, interpersonal, and negotiation skills and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse).
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI).
• Ability to travel within Afghanistan as required and as security conditions allow.

Experience Requirements:

• 8-10 years of relevant senior experience in international development as Team Leader, Deputy Chief of Party, Technical Director or in a senior management role on large development projects.

About BRAC International:

BRAC International (BI), a leading non-profit organization, is on a mission to empower people and communities facing poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Our vision is to create a world free from exploitation and discrimination, where everyone has the opportunity to realise their potential. We design proven, scalable solutions that equip people with the support and confidence they need to achieve their potential.

BRAC was founded in Bangladesh in 1972 and over the last five decades has grown to become one of the world’s largest non-governmental organisations (NGOs), reaching over 100 million people. We started our first international operation by venturing into Afghanistan in 2002, building on lessons from our work in Bangladesh to support a nation devastated by war. Currently operating in 16 countries across Asia and Africa. Born, proven and led in the Global South, BRAC International brings a unique Southern perspective and commitment to continuous learning, providing a depth of insight, experience and evidence to meet the needs of diverse communities with humility and courage across Asia and Africa. To learn more about BRAC International, please visit (www.bracinternational.org.com)

Our Core Values:

Integrity: We approach our work with honesty and integrity.

Innovation: We innovate and iterate to improve our impact.

Inclusiveness: We foster inclusion to reach those who need it most

Effectiveness: We strive for effectiveness to better serve people in poverty