Director

BACKGROUND

The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development, ACBAR, is an independent forum founded in 1988 in response to the demand from NGOs working with Afghan refugees in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan to more efficiently coordinate assistance and delivery of services. With its main office in Kabul since 2002, ACBAR brings together 176 National and International NGOs working in in all sectors of humanitarian assistance and development in Afghanistan. Its activities focus heavily on information to its members and the aid community in general, coordination of activities at the national and regional levels, and advocacy on issues affecting the work of its members in Afghanistan. ACBAR has a mission to provide an efficient platform for members to carry out effective humanitarian, development, and peace building activities in Afghanistan. The members are the drive behind ACBAR, and their active participation is essential to ACBAR’s continued dynamism. For more information, please visit: www.acbar.org

RESPONSIBILITY SUMMARY

The ACBAR Director position, reporting to the Chairperson of the ACBAR Steering Committee, is responsible for managing ACBAR’s activities in Afghanistan and abroad. The Director leads the ACBAR Secretariat and is the first point of contact for NGO members and external stakeholders. The Director is expected to be a committed humanitarian leader with solid NGO coordination and management experience with the diplomatic skills to manage this key NGO platform in Afghanistan. The below responsibilities are not exhaustive; other tasks may be required according to changing operational and contextual needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall ACBAR Management:

• Lead and manage ACBAR staff, office, and budget in coordination with the Senior Management Team.
• Supervise financial control of ACBAR‘s membership funds and grants; ensure timely and quality narrative and financial reporting.
• Represent ACBAR to donors; identify and develop donor resources that support ACBAR’s mandate. Lead the development of funding proposals and reports.
• Ensure the proper functioning of ACBAR’s support systems (e.g., human resources, administration/logistics, finance); ensure that ACBAR’s internal policies are up-to-date and implemented.

Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy:

• Lead on implementation of ACBAR’s strategic plan and development of new strategies. Provide leadership for joint advocacy initiatives on behalf of NGO members.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of new and ongoing events taking place in Afghanistan that are relevant to NGO members. Develop positions on key issues affecting NGOs in Afghanistan through continuous dialogue with NGO members and key stakeholders (e.g., authorities, UN, donors, civil society networks). Take the lead in negotiations with key stakeholders.
• Ensure that national NGO members are engaged in international and national coordination systems, mechanisms, planning procedures, and with access to donor funding.

Leadership, Representation, and Coordination:

• Maintain constructive working relationships with, and represent ACBAR members at key fora / external meetings with UN, donors, authorities, and external actors.
• Ensure ACBAR’s external communications and advocacy efforts are in line with its objectives, principles, and mandate. Provide leadership for joint advocacy initiatives on behalf of NGO members.
• In collaboration with ACBAR program staffs, ensure the coordination and facilitation of training and capacity building programs that support ACBAR members and wider civil society.
• Lead, facilitate, or enable ACBAR’s regular coordination meetings, including quarterly Directors’ meetings, monthly Afghanistan Humanitarian Forum meetings, bi-monthly Afghanistan Development Forum meetings, thematic working groups, regional monthly coordination meetings.
• Represent ACBAR members in various humanitarian/development coordination bodies, such as the Humanitarian Country Team, various advisory boards and steering committees, and Saving Lives Together Core Group. Represent members with external coordination, including ICVA, InterAction, and OPAG. Keep members updated on issues of key relevance.
• Ensure that all constituencies of ACBAR membership are adequately represented.
• Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders. Ensure that relevant information is accessible to the membership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in development management, public administration, social sciences, law, or equivalent.
• Ten (10) years professional humanitarian and development experience with a minimum of five (5) years working in senior management within an NGO. Proven experience in Afghanistan is preferred.
• Documented experience in effective coordination and leadership, particularly in complex and fragile environments. Strong networking, representation, and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of international humanitarian and development policies and principles as a background to understanding the role of the aid community in Afghanistan. Knowledge of Afghan law is an advantage.
• Proven analytical skills and ability to work with others to develop strategy into action. Ability to communicate relevant professional issues logically and clearly.
• Ability to influence and effectively liaise with governments, UN agencies, and representation in high-profile environments. Demonstrable experience and success in engaging with bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Experience of working with large/complex donors and managing multiple donor grants/contracts, particularly with OCHA pooled funds, UN agencies, and FCDO. Demonstrated ability to devise and implement resource mobilization strategies
• Ability to think strategically, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment; must be culturally sensitive. Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Exhibit a strong and honest work ethic with a high degree of flexibility with respect to working hours. Commitment to ACBAR principles.
• Strong computer/work processing and standard office software skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal skills in English for reports and communications. Working knowledge of Dari/Pashto is an advantage.
• Ability to work under pressure and travel to the provinces in difficult security conditions.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. ACBAR strongly encourages applications from qualified women.