Country Representative

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Position Title: Country Representative
Location: Kabul
Country: Afghanistan
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
CRS (Catholic Relief Services) has been working in Afghanistan since 2002, providing essential services to families affected by conflict and natural disasters. The organization focuses on emergency relief, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), education, and improved agricultural techniques. CRS operates in several provinces including Bamiyan, Daykundi, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul, and is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable populations in Afghanistan. The organization is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its mission to improve lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality.

Job Overview:
As the Country Representative for CRS in Afghanistan, you will be responsible for leading, managing, and advancing the organization's programming and operations. This role requires strategic leadership to enhance CRS's reputation and impact while effectively managing security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and other risks. You will oversee the alignment of program and operations objectives with the organization's strategy, ensuring that all projects meet donor expectations and are designed for maximum impact. Your leadership will also involve managing senior programming and operations talent, fostering team dynamics, and ensuring compliance with CRS program quality standards. You will be expected to establish strategic partnerships with national and international organizations and represent CRS to key stakeholders, including government agencies and donors. Additionally, you will promote a culture of learning and accountability within the organization, ensuring that staff adhere to safety and security policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Champion and lead the vision, mission, and strategy of CRS in Afghanistan.
• Design medium and long-term goals for the organization.
• Ensure coordination of objectives among program and operations leads.
• Oversee project design and implementation to meet donor expectations.
• Ensure adherence to CRS program quality standards per MEAL policy.
• Manage senior programming and operations talent, providing coaching and mentoring.
• Develop staffing plans for complex projects and oversee recruitment of senior staff.
• Establish strategic partnerships to leverage resources and expertise.
• Represent CRS to key stakeholders, including Church partners and government agencies. 1
• Monitor national and regional issues to manage and mitigate risks. 1
• Ensure compliance with CRS safety and security policies. 1
• Promote accountability and knowledge management within the organization. 1
• Lead the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities and capture planning. 1
• Create a safe environment for sharing ideas and solutions.

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong relations management abilities and team leadership skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented mindset.
• Experience managing complex, high-value projects from international donors.
• Ability to engage and strengthen partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office and budget management systems.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of relief and development programs and to effectively lead the organization’s initiatives in Afghanistan.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of experience managing complex relief and development programs. This experience should include working with multiple international donors and understanding relevant donor regulations. Experience in coaching and mentoring senior program staff is also essential, as is the ability to represent the agency at high levels.

Languages:
Professional working proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position requires internal travel up to 60% of the time, as well as occasional international travel for agency and donor meetings. Supervisory responsibilities include overseeing the Head of Operations, Head of Programs, and other key staff. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S. based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The organization is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially children and vulnerable adults.