Islamic Relief Worldwide is an international aid agency that provides humanitarian relief and development Programs in over 40 countries, serving communities in need regardless of race, political affiliation, gender or belief. Founded in 1984 in the UK, it has international headquarters in Birmingham (Islamic Relief Worldwide) and a network of national offices, affiliated partners, registered branches and field offices spanning 50 countries. Its income in 2020 was £149 million, and it is the largest independent international aid agency inspired by Islamic humanitarian values. Islamic Relief’s key areas of work are humanitarian relief and disaster preparedness; development programmes that improve access to sustainable livelihoods, healthcare, education, water, sanitation and hygiene; and advocating on behalf of those in need.

Job Summary

• The Head of Program Implementation (HPI) has overall responsibility for providing leadership which produces effective implementation and delivery of programmes of Islamic Relief in Afghanistan.
• The HPI is responsible for the efficient management of all Field Offices resources (grants, awards, staff and assets) and leads the representation of Islamic Relief with authorities, I/NGOs, and visitors. His/her leadership of programme implementation and operations will ensure that the program operations are in accordance with Islamic Relief’s policies and practices its Mission, Vision and Values. The HPI would be responsible to
• To provide strategic leadership and expertise to the programme implementation in Afghanistan.
• To ensure the programme Implementation meets Islamic Relief Quality and Compliance Standards.
• To provide assessments and baseline data from the fields of operations for timely and high-quality proposals and reports to donors in coordination and support of PDQ and MEAL team.
• To ensure the program is implemented in line with community led integrated programme strategies and with active support of PDQ team.
• To ensure network with, and represent Islamic Relief to partners at provincial and local levels (government authorities, donors, INGOs, local NGOs, CBOs etc)

Key responsibilities of Head of Program (HPI):

• The Head of Program Implementation 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). 
• Implementation and Quality of the Programme 
• Make key decisions in relation to the programme implementation, and offer solutions to problems that arise during the implementation of programmes
• Ensure the programme meets IRW’s Quality Standards and international Codes of Conduct
• Ensure the programmes are implemented and evaluated in a consultative and participative manner through regular field visits using IRW accountability framework and related appropriate tools.
• Ensure the timely submission of high-quality reports from the field to the PDQ team, according to the appropriate guidelines and agreed timelines.
• Leadership and Management
• Actively participate in the Country Leadership Team (CLT) and lead Field Leadership Team (FLT) Meetings and ensure support to program implementation from relevant team. 
• Facilitate and contribute to team building across the Programme, Islamic Relief Afghanistan and the wider organization.
• Motivate the programme Implementation team and ensure 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.
• Deputize the supervisor and other leaders as and when required and assigned to do so. 
• Networking and Communication
• Build relationships with Authorities, NGOs, donors and other stakeholders at country, provincial and local levels to ensure access and smooth implementation of programmes.
• Ensure regular and effective communications are maintained within the programme, and with the PDQ, MEAL and support functions.
• Ensure a strong coordination working together mechanism ensuring field teams/leadership is provided timely support and guidance from the support functions, PDQ, Communication and MEAL.
• 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 and ensure proper feedback and input from the field operations team to the strategic planning.
• Assist in Designing programmes and projects based on the Country Strategic Plan and Emergency Preparedness Plan and needs and context of the communities and field areas.
• Proactively identify opportunities to build key stakeholder relationships and take the initiative to follow up with necessary action in coordination and support of PDQ and senior leadership.
• Provide needed inputs through field teams to PDQ in proposal development to expand the programme, using a participatory approach involving all relevant stakeholders.
•  Budgetary responsibility
• Assist the programme team to develop, finalize and closely monitor the programme budget and help finance and PDQ team in donor budgeting to ensure field offices operational, HR and program budgetary needs are met.
• Work closely with the Finance Function to ensure effective financial and budgetary control of the programmes, according to IRW’s policy and procedures.
• Ensure the regular BVA meetings are held, and relevant budget holders/field managers provide justifications and action plans on variances in time and ensure proper reporting on BVAs to Region/HQ team in coordination and support of finance.  
• Ensure corrective measures are taken to address over/under spending in project budgets in timely manner.

Job Requirment

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in management, social science, international development, public administration, or a related field
• Five Years of Relevant experience in senior leadership role in project implementation/project management positions in international organizations in Afghanistan and/or a similar context and Master Degree in the relevant field is preferable. 
• Experience
• Experience of working with various International NGOs preferably in Afghanistan. Working experience in other countries/international experience would be an added value. 
• An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues in relation to community development.
• Strong understanding and experience of community mobilization, participation and integrated programming are essential requirements for this role.
• Experience of Implementing large scale community led, integrated humanitarian and development Projects.
• Experience of developing proposals for a variety of donors and experience of successfully fundraising and dealing with institutional donors.
• Experience of developing links with INGOs, Government agencies, Institutional donors and other stakeholders.
• Recent experience of effectively managing relations with authorities at provincial and national levels and ensuring access in program implementation would be an asset.
• Experience of and commitment to participatory management and leadership and maintaining a supportive, open environment to ensure the learning and development of all staff. 
• Experience of providing leadership and mentoring for local and international staff.
• Familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals, Sphere Standards, Do no harm policy, RedCross/Red-crescent Code of Conduct, Core Humanitarian Standards, Humanitarian Accountability Programme etc.
• Skills
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, sensitivity to other peoples’ views and perspectives, and conflict resolution.
• Strategic leadership skills
• Good organizational management skills and a practical knowledge of program and support service management.
• The capacity to develop and maintain an understanding of and be sympathetic to the social, cultural and political context of the post.
• Ability to represent, liaise and negotiate at different levels (national, provincial and local) with authorities, stakeholders and communities.
• Excellent communication skills 
• Knowledge/familiarity/expertise in programme areas: e.g., Social Mobilization, Emergency Response, Community Infrastructure, Community Development, Cash Based Programming, Food Security/Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Protection and Gender Mainstreaming etc.
• An ability to work under pressure with limited support.
• Experience of working, knowledge/familiarity with context of different regions/provinces Afghanistan. 
• Excellent written and spoken English is obligatory. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
•  Committed to Islamic Relief Worldwide values and code of conduct.
• Willing to travel to remote locations and in difficult terrains.

Submission Guideline

• Interested and qualified national candidates should submit a cover letter explaining their motivation and an updated CV to the following:
• The closing date for accepting applications is 18 August 2024.
• Please clearly state the Vacancy Announcement number and title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. 

• Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered and only short-listed candidates will be called for written test/interview.

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Country

Afghanistan

City

Kabul

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