Rural Development Programme Director

CR218

Our client is a private international, non-profit, and non-denominational development agency

Our client focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institution-building and the promotion of economic development. It is dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.

It seeks sustainable solutions to long term problems of poverty, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal and other resource poor areas across the world. Concentrating its efforts in health, education, rural development and strengthening civil society sectors, our clients approach is based on long-term commitment that is maintained through political and social uncertainty.

The Programme Director is responsible for strategic direction, external representation and overall implementation of an ambitious set of rural development and governance programmes in central and northeast Afghanistan, which include: market-based natural resource management, micro and small enterprise development, rural energy supply, social protection, water and sanitation, and local government and civil society capacity building.

The Programme Director is part of the senior management team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and working in close collaboration with the Chief Finance Officer, resource mobilisation unit, sector heads, and regional programme managers.

•        Coordinate and manage annual programme and project/grant-specific planning processes
•        Direct field activities through Kabul-based and regional programme teams
•        Mentor and support diverse teams of international and national professionals, with a special focus on national staff capacity building
•        Maintain budgetary oversight, while ensuring the quality and timeliness of all donor reporting
•        Deepen and broaden collaboration government departments and institutional donors, in a manner that enhances the programme’s ability to attract and sustain moral, intellectual, and financial support
•        Situate the rural development programme within the overall strategic, institutional and programmatic framework of the Development Network
•        Improve the collection, analysis and management of information on achievements; and the ability to learn from experience, adjust programmes as appropriate, and share lessons with a broader community

$65-85k

Afghanistan

•        At least 10 years of relevant experience in designing and directing programmes at a senior level
•        A minimum Masters degree in a relevant field
•        Proven ability to build and nurture a cohesive team of international and national professionals, and to mentor and motivate staff in the context of national staff capacity building
•        Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with government and institutional donors, to lead programme development processes, and to attract and secure significant financial resources
•        Extensive experience in preparing, managing and monitoring large budgets; and organizing and providing technical oversight to field programmes and personnel
•        Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills
•        Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
•        Self-motivated, pro-active, efficient, reliable and creative
•        Willing to travel frequently to programme areas.
•        Excellent communication skills, particularly in oral and written English (an ability to communicate in Dari would be an asset)
•        Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)

Please send in a CV with covering letter explaining how your background and experience matches what is being requested in the person specification to:
applications@skillsforcauses.com