Position: Country Representative Afghanistan

Reporting Relationship: Head of Regional Unit

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Deadline: 02/11/2025

Starting date: ASAP

Family Duty Station: NO

R&R: YES

Contract Type: Expatriate (International)

 

Working context 

WeWorld has been present in Afghanistan since 2002, initially supporting orphanages in Kabul. In 2008, it established its operational base in Herat Province. Over the following 15 years, WeWorld implemented humanitarian and development projects in the Herat region, primarily funded by the United Nations and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

Between 2018 and 2020, WeWorld temporarily suspended its directly implemented programs in the country, while maintaining contact with former staff and collaborating with local partners. In the summer of 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces and the Taliban’s capture of Kabul, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan collapsed, and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was established. The country’s economy subsequently shrank by 40%, largely due to the collapse of the financial system, which severely restricted the flow of cash needed to sustain essential services. As a result, many families lost their livelihoods and now struggle to afford food, water, rent, electricity, and other basic needs. In 2022, the situation further deteriorated due to a shrinking humanitarian space imposed by the authorities and a cholera outbreak, significantly increasing the needs of vulnerable populations. In response to the crisis, WeWorld reactivated its programs and launched an initial emergency response plan in partnership with RRAA, a well-established local NGO and long-standing partner.

WeWorld’s current intervention focuses on Cash for Food assistance, targeting female-headed households in Herat Governorate. Assessments are ongoing to expand the response to other sectors.

 

Purpose of the Role

The Country Representative is based in the country for which he/she is the legal representative and head of mission of the organization. He/she reports to the Head of the Regional Unit. In Afghanistan, current priorities include expanding the country project portfolio through strong strategic engagement with donors and partners, launching a new emergency intervention in Kunar Province in response to the recent earthquake (pending official project approval), and strengthening the mission structure by updating operational tools and the HR framework.

 

AREAS OF WORK

Representation, External Relations and Accountability

• Legally represents WeWorld in front of all relevant authorities
• Represents WeWorld and is responsible for relations with donors, local and international partners, and all relevant stakeholders
• Participates in events including public events and speaks on behalf of WeWorld
• Is responsible in-country for the dissemination, implementation, compliance and monitoring of the application of WeWorld Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding & PSEAH Policy, as well as all other organizational policies adopted by WeWorld
• Is the safeguarding focal point in-country for relevant stakeholders both internal and external, has the obligation to report any behavior contrary to the duties expressed in the Safeguarding and Prevention of Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy by preparing appropriate report and to provide all necessary information to staff in-country for prevention and reporting including appropriate and continuous training on the subject
• Is responsible for and promoter of on-site dissemination and training, compliance with and monitoring the application of WeWorld Code of Ethics and Conduct and all internal policies (anti-fraud, environment and anti-terrorism)
• Is responsible for the analysis and assessment of risks present in the country, reporting periodically to the Head of Regional Unit and WeWorld global security Manager
• Is responsible for the security of the organization's people and assets in the country whose management he/she monitors in line with WeWorld policy
• Is responsible for establishing and adhering to WeWorld Security and Evacuation Plan in the country in line with the organization's relevant policy and procedures and updating it periodically in consultation with the global security Manager
• Is responsible for disseminating the Security and Evacuation Plan and providing security training and information to all staff on the mission
• Is responsible for adopting and updating the Local Operations Manual and monitoring its implementation

 

Strategy, partnerships and resource mobilization

• Is responsible for the formulation and periodic review of WeWorld in-country strategy and, in collaboration with the Head of Regional Unit, ensures its consistency with the organization's regional and global strategy
• Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships in the country through active participation in networks and coordination mechanisms, promotion of new networks and partnerships by enhancing the expertise of the organization
• Develops and enhances in-country strategic programmatic partnerships defined globally and regionally by WeWorld
• Examines the risks and opportunities presented by WeWorld strategic positioning in the country and prepares appropriate responses to ensure sustainable projects and operations;
• Contributes to the drafting of project proposals of its area of reference where required and in coordination with Head of Regional Unit and the Planning and Knowledge Management Area
• Strengthens relationships with institutional donors in the country enhancing WeWorld expertise and achievements over time
• Identifies and develops funding opportunities with new donors present locally in collaboration with the Head of Regional Unit

 

Local Office(s) Management, Human Resources

• Is responsible for all human resources, employed in the country for the implementation of WeWorld institutional activities
• Proposes and updates the most effective organizational chart, roles, and functions to carry out WeWorld activities in the country in a logic of sustainability and enhancement of local human resources
• Ensures that the selection of staff at the local headquarters is done in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner with the aim of finding the most competent and appropriate person for the required task
• Analyses and evaluates, in a constructive and participatory manner, the competencies of staff at the local headquarters and prepares training and improvement plans
• Reports training needs and capacity building needs of local office staff to headquarters and supports in finding and/or processing training opportunities for growth and continuous improvement

 

Program Management

• Ensures that projects implemented in-country are in line and consistent with the organization's country and regional strategy, have high quality standards, and achieve their objectives
• Is responsible for the local office's program monitoring system, supervises and monitors the proper implementation of projects and the work of project managers
• Is ultimately responsible for the quality of project reporting and its compliance with the rules and timelines defined by WeWorld and those established by the relevant donors
• Reports periodically, on a quarterly basis, to the Head of Regional Unit on the progress of the organization's programs in the country and the operation of the local office

 

Administration and Controlling

• Develops the country's annual budget proposal and submits it to the Head of Regional Unit and Finance HQ
• Plans and monitors the approved annual budget
• Is ultimately responsible for the proper use of WeWorld funds in the country, in line with legal requirements, and promotes a culture of proper and efficient financial management, quality, transparency, and credibility
• Ensures compliance in the management of the local office and projects implemented by it with the regulations and provisions of WeWorld and its donors

 

Communication, policy and advocacy

• Is responsible for WeWorld external communication in the country and its adherence to the organization's relevant regulations and guidelines
• Ensures proper visibility of donors in line with donor regulations and rules on the subject
• Disseminates the guidelines for external communication and the use of WeWorld logo to the local office staff ensuring its proper use
• In collaboration with the Head of Regional Unit, proposes external communication and advocacy activities in the country
• Coordinates and supervises the production of content for external communication affecting the country on its own initiative and/or at the request of WeWorld Communication Department
• Contributes to sector policy development where required and ensures the implementation of global and/or regional policies and approaches developed by WeWorld
• Ensures that projects/programs feed into the organization's advocacy initiatives in coordination with the Advocacy Department at headquarters

 

Knowledge Management, Policy and Innovation

• Contributes to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure that WeWorld continuously integrates good practices and innovative approaches into locally implemented programs
• Contributes to the dissemination and sharing of good practices and lessons learned at the local level, as well as thematic Policy so that they can be capitalized and systematized for the overall benefit of the organization
• Contributes to the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of staff, partners and stakeholders

 

The duties and responsibilities set forth above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to perform additional duties.

 

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge

• An advanced university degree or equivalent in the field of Social or Political Science, Development Studies, International relations, Project Management
• Good knowledge of MS Office
• Fluent in English both written and oral

Professional experience

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant working experience in emergency/humanitarian contexts with previous experience as a Country Manager or Head of Program
• Working experience with international NGOs in management of international cooperation projects funded by institutional, private donors and sponsorship programs
• Proven experience in Project Cycle Management
• Sound project development and proposal writing experience
• Experience in Security Management

Skills and Abilities

• Strong flexibility and capacity to adapt behavior to the needs of the situation
• Capacity to work autonomously and in problems prevention/resolution
• Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities
• Good communication, negotiation skills and sensitivity in dealing with local institutions on critical issues
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Strong commitment to the Mission of WeWorld

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in Cash and Voucher or Livelihoods programs
• Previous Experience in scaling up missions
• Previous work experience in the area
• Fluent in Italian, both written and oral

 

WHAT WE OFFER

Type of contract: a first 6 (six) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the line manager upon arrival on assignment) with possibility of extension based on funds availability

Economic conditions to be defined according to WeWorld Expatriates Compensation Policy: Base Salary (seniority/role held) + Contributions (role complex and hardship based on place of work)

Accommodation: WeWorld Guesthouse

Annual leave: 2,5 days/month (working days)

Flight ticket: one return flight every 12 months of contract

Health insurance: covered

R&R Policy: 5 days every 8 weeks, allowance of 1.000€ is provided

 

How to apply:

Please send Cover Letter and CV at: https://weworld.intervieweb.it/jobs/country-representative-afghanistan-658590/en/

 

The recruitment process may be closed early if a suitable candidate is found. Due to the large number of applications, we apologise in advance and will only respond to those profiles deemed suitabl