Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. We stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders. We make a difference where it is most needed.
Together with more than 800 organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion. We do that where natural disasters strike, where conflicts tear up communities and where underdevelopment keep families in extreme poverty. In the Netherlands we are known as Cordaid Memisa, Cordaid Mensen in Nood, Cordaid Kinderstem and Cordaid Microkrediet.
For the field office in Kabul, Afghanistan, Cordaid is looking for a Country Director
Introduction
Cordaid works in Afghanistan since 2000. In Afghanistan Cordaid is active with a Cordaid Country office in Kabul as well as through partnerships with local organizations and think-tank’s. At this moment Cordaid works in the provinces of Balkh, Urozgan, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Parwan and Kabul on Healthcare, Food Security and Women Leadership for Peace and Security. Due to the conflict-ridden nature of Afghanistan all activities by Cordaid are community-based and conflict sensitive. Cordaid distinguishes three main processes: strategic financing, communication, and fundraising. The office in Kabul is active on all three processes. At this moment the Healthcare program is the largest program working on health systems (Performance Based Financing), basic health, and women’s health.
The Cordaid annual budget in Afghanistan 2012 was EUR 4,5 million. European Commission, Netherlands Embassy Kabul, and Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs are the main donors.
Currently Cordaid is in a process of transition from a traditional NGO depending largely on Dutch government resources to a social entrepreneur. As a consequence the different programs of Cordaid need to cover their own costs and have become “business units”. This process puts emphasis on specialisation, communication and fundraising. The field office has a leading role in the country strategy and alignment of the different business units.
Position & responsibility
The Country Director will report to the Business Unit Manager Healthcare of Cordaid. The Country Director is the line manager for all staff of the Cordaid Kabul office.
General objective and responsibility of the job
- Is responsible for realization of Field Office targets.
- Managing the Cordaid office in Kabul
- The management of Cordaid programme in Afghanistan.
- Networking, Representation and Acquisition.
Specific objectives
- Strategy proposals
Monitors the progress and interdependencies of different projects from different business units, taking into account the developments in the country/regions, and proposes improvements in the chosen strategy.
- Cooperation benefits
Creates partnerships between governmental institutions, donors, partner organisations and (inter)national non-governmental organisations, taking into account the agreed programme results.
- Funds
Interacts with (potential) local/institutional donors, convincingly augmenting the added value of Cordaid as to acquire funds and ensure the future funding for the programme(s) in the designated country/region.
- Business/Action plan
Translates the agreed Field Office targets into a Business/Action Plan for the Field Office, with specific results in designated project areas while securing the connection with the Cordaid strategy.
- Programme Management
Keeps track of developments within the projects, manages the activities within the team and makes the necessary adjustments, taking into account the business/action plan, governmental policies, donor policies and the allocation of resources and preventing mission creep.
- Risk Management
Assesses security, political, administrative and financial risks in projects and realises the security of the Cordaid team, consultants and Cordaid visitors, according to the Cordaid Safety First Manual.
- Programme Reports
Collects information within the programme and reports about the results.
- Personnel Management
Leads personnel in accordance with the management style and social policy of Cordaid, focused on productivity, employee development and satisfaction. Ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work.
Qualifications
- Academic degree in agriculture, health, economy, business/public administration, social sciences or other subject related to international cooperation.
- At least 5 years experience with managing and monitoring emergency and rehabilitation programmes, preferably also with EC or WB funded programs.
- Experience in project planning and implementation.
- Experience in reporting requirements of institutional donors and working with local NGOs.
- Excellent management skills including human resource and financial management, communication and intercultural cooperation skills.
- Experience with health, livelihood and gender programs is an asset.
- Experience in implementing security policy in insecure areas
- Experience in coping with national and international political pressure.
- A human centred approach to management and ability to promote and structure teamwork.
- A networker.
- Ability to work under stressful and time bound project conditions.
- Good oral and written communication skills in English language.
- Diplomatic and goal driven.
- Awareness of external environment.
- Analytical and problem solving mind.
- Firm and assertive negotiator.
- Flexible and capable of working in a stressful context.
Specifics of station
For the time being, this is a non-accompanied posting.
Contract information
The contract period is for 6 months starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period. We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package which includes R&R, a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution and a holiday allowance.
Further information & how to apply
For additional information, please contact Albert van Hal (the contents) or Fatiha Najid (the HR conditions). Phone: +31 70 3136 300.
Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded before 6 May 2013. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this position, that applications will be reviewed on a regular basis in the meantime and that given the necessity to fill this position as soon as possible, we may offer this post before the closing date. An assessment will be part of the procedure.
Please note that we accept applications through our website only: www.cordaid.org (>Working for Cordaid> Vacancy Overview, then select the relevant vacancy, and click on the ‘solliciteren/apply’ button). .
