Head of Operations – Afghanistan

Islamic Relief Worldwide is an independent humanitarian and development organisation, serving humanity for over 38 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflicts and natural disasters.

Our International Programme Division is currently recruiting for the position of Head of Operations for the Afghanistan office. The Head of Operations is accountable to fulfil his/her roles and responsibilities in line with IRW’s code of conduct, values and principles, and to report to his/her line-manager regularly on the basis of annually defined key performance indicators (KPIs).

The successful candidate must have or be:

• Significant management experience within the Third Sector; candidate must be able to network with, and represent Islamic Relief to partners and stakeholders at different levels (government authorities, donors, INGOs, local NGOs)
• Excellent knowledge of programme implementation in the context of INGOs and experience providing technical support to implementing teams.
• Knowledge of conflict/context-sensitivity and experience of embedding context-sensitivity into the work of humanitarian or development departments and colleagues in multi-cultural environments.
• Experience working with international NGOs or operational UN agencies in highly complex and insecure contexts.
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, sensitivity to other peoples’ views and perspectives, and conflict resolution and strategic leadership skills.
• Track record of effectively collaborating, mobilising and working across a multi-cultural, multi-language organisation with limited resources.
• Experience in developing and delivering effective capability training, be it technology-based or face to face, including with colleagues for whom English is a second language.
• Track record in successfully contributing to successful funding bids.
• Good knowledge of Sustaining Peace agenda, SDGs and Agenda for Humanity

Responsibilities And Accountabilities

Implementation and Quality of Programmes

· Make key decisions in relation to the programme implementation, and offer solutions to problems that arise during the implementation of programmes and ensure programmes meets Islamic Relief Worldwide Quality Standards

· Ensure the programmes are implemented and evaluated in a consultative and participative manner through regular field visits using IRW accountability frame and related appropriate tools.

· Ensure the timely submission of high-quality reports to IRW and donors, according to the appropriate guidelines

Management

· Actively participate in the Country Management Team (CMT) and deputise for the Country Director, when required.

· Facilitate team building and motivate the programme Implementation team, ensuring they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance

· Provide HR Management to ensure the short and long-term success of the programme, including recruitment, staff development, security, Media & Comms etc.

Networking and Communication

· Build relationships with donors and other INGOs in Afghanistan

· Ensure regular and effective communications are maintained within the programme, and with the Regional Desk at HQ

Programme Development

· Provide Inputs in identifying and developing strategic direction to the programme, to ensure it works towards reducing poverty in a sustainable manner and responds to emergencies effectively

· Take a lead role in the annual strategic planning process

· Assist in Designing programmes and projects based on the Country Strategic Plan and Emergency Preparedness Plan

· Proactively identify opportunities to build key stakeholder relationships, and take the initiative to follow up with necessary action

· Develop timely and good quality donor proposals to expand the programme, using a participatory approach involving all relevant stakeholders

· Work with the Country Director to diversity the funding base through developing existing or new relationships with donors

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree, its equivalent or above in management, social science, international development or public administration

· PLEASE NOTE: Due to urgency, interviews are expected to take place on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is identified, hence the position may be closed before the deadline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer and offers competitive benefits. You may find more information on our benefits by clicking here