Program Assistant - Afghanistan 

 

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people. 

 

Terms of reference 

Job Title: Program Assistant 

Code:  SR-28-10291 

Duty station: Kabul 

Starting date: 19/10/2026 

Contract duration: 6 months 

Reporting to: Head of Programme 

Functional Supervisor:  

Supervision of: Head of Programme 

Type of Duty Station: Non-family duty station 

 

General context of the project 

Over the past few years, Afghanistan has witnessed a relative improvement in security and stability across much of the country. This has allowed humanitarian actors like INTERSOS to maintain uninterrupted access and expand services in areas that were previously hard to reach. Despite this progress, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with millions of Afghans continuing to face acute vulnerabilities due to prolonged economic hardship, natural disasters, and limited access to essential services. 

In 2025, more than half of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, with food insecurity, child malnutrition, and displacement remaining key concerns. Natural disasters, such as floods and recent earthquakes, have further compounded the needs of already struggling communities. 

INTERSOS continues to operate through a community-based approach with field bases in Kabul, Kandahar, and Zabul, delivering primary healthcare, nutrition, and protection services with a focus on women, children, and persons with disabilities. The organization enjoys strong community acceptance and collaborates closely with relevant national authorities, including maintaining the full participation of female staff in all activities. 

While the operational environment is largely stable and conducive, funding shortfalls and systemic barriers such as restrictions on financial flows and administrative bottlenecks continue to impact the scope and scale of humanitarian response. Sustained support is crucial to ensure the continuity of life-saving services and to address the urgent needs of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations. 

 

 

General purpose of the position 

Provide support to the mission by assisting the Program Coordinator or the Head of Programs in the administrative part of coordination tasks, contributing to the context analysis and follow-up, and providing translations and interpreting in order to facilitate coordination tasks in the mission. 

Main responsibilities and tasks: 

• Assist the Program Coordinator or Head of Program in the context analysis, disseminate relevant context information to the coordination team, regularly inform them on key issues, update general information on the context for internal documents, and advise on cultural appropriateness of organisational activities and individual behaviours. At the request of the Head of Mission, prepare and conduct an information briefing focusing on the country context for International Staffs 

• Support the Program Coordinator or Head of Program and, upon delegation from Program Coordinator or Head of Program, the Program Managers and Projects Managers in: 

1. facilitate implementation strategies for ongoing projects 

2. draft narrative (and financial) reports 

3. collect and send reports/updates to the region and to partners 

4. guarantee the periodic sending of the communication and dissemination material of the project 

• Keep good knowledge of counterparts in different administrations and file field contacts (other NGO’s, UN agencies, local authorities…) verifying that they are easily accessible in order to facilitate contacts and meetings. In coordination with the Program Coordinator or Head of Program coordinate with clusters in the area at national and regional level 

• Support Program Coordinator or Head of Program and Program/Project Managers in carrying out need assessments and upon their request on drafting of project proposals 

• Participate in field visit if possible 

• Support the MEAL department and upon delegation from the Program Coordinator or Head of Program, in establishment of monitoring, evaluation and accountability and learning system. Support the monitoring of the ongoing programs 

• Contribute to drafting and collecting best practices and lessons learned on program delivery 

• Support the Program Coordinator to monitor the major donor’s platform for proposals identifying and formulating project/program propositions 

• Support the Program Coordinator in the systematization and analysis of ongoing/ended projects’ data 

• At the request of the Program Coordinator or Head of Program, represent INTERSOS in meetings (NGO, official bodies, administration local partners, authorities, etc…) and support the Program Coordinator on regular meetings of Program department and upon Head of mission request 

• Support the drafting of Program Coordinator or Head of Program weekly agenda and identification of priorities 

• Translate documents and act as an interpreter when needed 

• Perform other tasks assigned by the Program Coordinator or Head of Program 

 

Required profile and experience: 

• University level studies or similar 

• Previous experience in humanitarian aid. Good understanding of the functioning of the different administrations on the local country 

• Experience in setting up new projects and programs and of developing and implementing departmental and organisational strategies 

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet) 

• English and Italian required 

• Planning and organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines 

• Results-oriented 

• Teamwork and cooperation 

• Behavioural flexibility 

• Stress management 

• Commitment to INTERSOS principles 

General conditions and benefits: 

• Salary range: 04 - 1692€ monthly gross 

• Accommodation: Shared Guesthouse 

• R&R: 7 days of psycho-physical recovery every 8 weeks + 1000€ allowance. 

• Annual Leave: 2.5 days per month 

• Medical insurance for the staff 

• Transportation and visa: Round-trip flights. For missions lasting at least 9 months, an additional flight ticket to the Country of residence and return to the mission will also be provided. 

• Induction: one week of online induction before the deployment  

HOW TO APPLY: 

Interested candidates are invited to apply following the link below:  

https://www.intersos.org/field/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/6aa1003a48162fd87a1efc0f/  

Please note that our application process is made of 3 quick steps: register (including your name, email, password and citizenship), sign-up and apply by attaching your CV in PDF format. Through the platform, candidates will be able to track their applications’ history with INTERSOS.  

Please also mention the name, position and contact details of at least three references: two line managers and one HR referent. Family members are to be excluded. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.