National Director - Education

Aga Khan Foundation** *

*Job Opportunities*

Position Title: National Director - Education

Report to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Duty Station: National Programme Office - Kabul

Announcing Date: October 26th 2009

Closing Date: November 17th 2009

Vacancy No: KBL/2009/077


Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private international, non-profit, and
non-denominational development agency. 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, AKF’s approach is based on long-term
commitment that is maintained through political and social uncertainty.



AKF currently implements a range of education interventions aimed at
supporting, enhancing and promoting access to quality education for
disadvantaged children, and particularly for girls in the rural areas of
Badakhshan, Baghlan, Bamyan, and Parwan provinces. AKF utilizes a holistic
approach, closely aligned with the Ministry of Education (MoE) goals for
Afghanistan, focusing on 1) school level support ensuring access and quality
education from early grades to higher secondary school; 2) community
participation focusing on strengthening, empowering, and encouraging
ownership of education programmes; and 3) capacity building and support to
MoE’s institutions at a national, provincial and district level.



At present, AKF is seeking an exceptional individual to fill the position of
*National* *Director of Education* for its Programme Office in Kabul -
Afghanistan.



*Job Summary: *

The National Director of Education will lead the strategic development of
education programmes in the region and provide leadership to a diverse
education team ensuring quality programme development, delivery and
accountability. S/he will also work closely with other AKDN education
institutions, in Afghanistan and across the global network in other parts of
Asia, East Africa, North America and Europe.



*Main Duties and Responsibilities:*

· Provide leadership and overall management to the education team in
the implementation of education programmes, and the development of the
professional capacity of staff;**

· Provide strategic direction for future programme planning and
development;

· Ensure a high level of government and donor interest and support
for AKDN’s education programmes;

· Maintain a close working relationship with the Ministry of
Education at a national level;

· Represent AKF in policy dialogue and educational reforms with
government and other NGO partners in a range of educational issues;

· Promote AKDN inter-agency collaboration and partnership in and
outside of Afghanistan to further strengthen and support access to quality
education in Afghanistan;

* *

*Required Qualifications and Experience: *

· Masters Degree/PhD in Education or other related field **

· Minimum 10 years experience in the areas of international
education development and/or international development programme management
with significant experience in post conflict areas and in complex security
environments;**

· Proven leadership qualities including excellent interpersonal,
advocacy and team building skills, particularly in cross-cultural contexts;*
*

· Proven track record in working with government and non-government
stakeholders and international donors; **

· Analytical strength and strong organisational skills;**

· Sound management experience in administration, financial and HR
matters;**

· Excellent communication skills in English (preferably also
Dari/Pashtu).**

*Application:* Applicants meeting the above requirements are requested to
submit a cover letter along with their CV and the names of three references
electronically to *Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org* <Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org> .
or submit hard copy to AKF, National Programme Office House No 43 Street No 13 Main Road Wazir Akbar Khan Kabul
Afghanistan.**