Engagement Officer – Kabul, Afghanistan (National)

Mission

Geneva Call Afghanistan is dedicated to leading humanitarian engagement efforts in Afghanistan, with a primary focus on strengthening the protection of conflict-affected communities. As part of our commitment to expanding our impact, we are strategically broadening our operations to encompass provinces adjacent to our current areas of operation. By engaging with various stakeholders and fostering dialogue, Geneva Call aims to promote adherence to international humanitarian norms and principles, ultimately contributing to the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations in Afghanistan.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

The Engagement Officer plays a vital role in shaping and executing Geneva Call’s humanitarian engagement strategies across the country. With a focus on program implementation and technical guidance, this position is pivotal in advancing Geneva Call mission to increase the protection of conflict-affected communities. Reporting directly to the Engagement Manager, the Officer collaborates closely to develop and implement engagement plans, ensuring a targeted approach aimed at bolstering the protection measures for vulnerable populations.

Core responsibilities

Programme continuity and support

• Provide technical support and strategic advice to the Engagement Manager on program expansion in the southeast region.
• Analyze, manage, and report on relevant information related to protection and humanitarian access within the geographical area of responsibility.
• Monitor and report on contextual developments in collaboration with the Engagement Manager and other key stakeholders.

Humanitarian engagement

• Develop a humanitarian engagement strategy with local authorities, constituencies, and other stakeholders, ensuring alignment with Geneva Call’s broader goals, and in close consultation with the Engagement Manager.
• Collect and analyze field-level protection-related data to identify opportunities for humanitarian engagement with de facto authority, aiming at improvements in policy and behavioral practices.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including de facto authority, and community leaders.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of Geneva Call’s humanitarian engagement approach.
• Support the design and development of innovative and contextualized humanitarian engagement tools.
• Draft official letters in English and/or Pashto to communicate formally with key stakeholders and document them accordingly.
• Represent Geneva Call positively to all national and local stakeholders.
• Work closely with the relevant program team to ensure harmonized implementation of the humanitarian engagement strategy.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and understanding of the international legal framework surrounding humanitarian engagement.

Capacity Building, Training, Supervision, and Support

• Provide training, mentorship, and support to the relevant Geneva Call staff in areas like International Humanitarian Law (IHL), humanitarian diplomacy, and context analysis.
• Develop training materials and resources on IHL and engagement strategies for broader use within the organization.
• Coordinate with the relevant program team to ensure consistent application of engagement strategies.

Accountability

• Demonstrates accountability in decision-making, resource allocation, and the embodiment of Geneva Call values and principles.

People Management (for managerial/coordinator level positions)

• Provides leadership, technical and administrative supervision to the team he/she will be working with.
• Supports HR with recruitment, training, development performance appraisal of direct reports.

Safety and Security

• In close coordination with the line Manager, Safety and Security Coordinator and Country Director, ensure that staff safety regulations are respected across the team he/she will be working with.

Additional duties

• Contribute to opening new bases when required.
• Additional tasks when required.

Main qualifications

Education

• Preferably a master’s or at least a bachelor’s degree in law, international relations, political science, or another relevant field.
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is an asset.

Technical Skills

• Excellent communication and representation skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, including de facto authorities.
• Proficiency in information gathering, analysis, and report writing to facilitate informed decision-making and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering training sessions to build capacity and knowledge among team members.
• Solution-oriented approach with the ability to identify and implement innovative strategies to address challenges.
• Strong commitment to upholding organizational and ethical norms, ensuring integrity and professionalism in all interactions.
• Proven ability to act as a positive role model, fostering a collaborative team environment and contributing to team spirit.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in an international humanitarian organization, with a focus on managing external relations departments.
• Proven track record of engaging high-level interlocutors, particularly with the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, and provincial authorities on humanitarian issues.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building, mentoring, team leadership, and management.

Languages

• Full professional proficiency in English and Pashto languages.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and people management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently under pressure, managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated capacity building and mentoring skills.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position : Engagement Officer
• Type of Contract: Fixed-Term (National contract)
• Activity rate: 100%, full-time position
• Work place: Positioned in Kabul, this role entails regular travel within the southeast region, amounting to approximately 60% of the time.
• Preferred start date: As soon as possible