Country Director

The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA)
SCA is a Swedish NGO established in 1980 working with information and advocacy in Sweden alongside with the activities in Afghanistan.SCA has been working in Afghanistan since 1982 and is presently managing development programmes in four sectors – Health, Education, Disability and Rural Development with a total annual budget of roughly USD 30 million. The total number of staff is approximately 5,500 of whom 15 are non-Afghans.

Closing date: 16 Nov 2010
Location: Afghanistan - Kabul

Swedish Committee for Afghanistan is looking for Country Director
Posted at Kabul Management Office, Kabul, Afghanistan

SCA in Afghanistan

SCA has been working in Afghanistan since 1982 and is presently managing development programmes in four sectors – Health, Education, Disability and Rural Development with a total annual budget of roughly USD 30 million. The total number of staff is approximately 5,500 of whom 15 are non-Afghans. The SCA presence in Afghanistan consists of the Kabul Management Office (KMO), five Project Offices and four Field Offices. The aim of the activities of SCA is expressed in and ruled by the Statutes, Policy and Strategy documents approved by the Annual General Meeting of the organisation.

Scope of Work

The Country Director (CD) has the operational responsibility for implementation of the SCA programmes in Afghanistan. This task is to be carried out in accordance with the SCA Policy, Strategies, Strategic Plans, Annual Workplans & Budgets as approved by the SCA Board and/or Annual Meeting, and instructions by the Secretary General.

CD is, together with the Secretary General, the Director of Finance and the Head of the Stockholm Management Office (SMO), part of the Senior Management Team (SMT).

CD chairs the Directors’ Meetings at KMO which consists of KMO Directors and the Gender & Human Rights Coordinator.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications:

- Ideally possesses a degree at master’s level, preferably in fields such as development, management or business administration or equivalent documented experience

Experience:

- At least ten years of relevant work experience with increasingly more senior positions in managing development and/or humanitarian work in large NGOs or similar organisations
- Experience from work in a post-conflict environment and in Muslim countries is a significant advantage

Others:

- Demonstrated leadership/management skills
- Being a team-builder and being able to adapt to a cross-cultural context
- Commitment to rights-based approaches and gender equality
- Ability to prioritise, delegate, handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
- Ability to travel frequently to project offices within Afghanistan and adjust to difficult and basic living conditions
- Excellent command of spoken and written English is a must

Responsibilities

General

- To promote gender equality, non discrimination with regard to ethnic, political and religious background in the organisation and SCA programme activities
- Inspire Directors and staff in general to attain goals and pursue excellence
- Identify opportunities for improvement within the organisation and the programmes and make constructive suggestions for change
- Promote an attitude of team spirit, cooperation and a strong focus on quality, including anti-corruption measures
- To uphold and communicate, internally as well as externally, the fundamental principle that SCA programmes are carried out in a spirit of “people to people”

Supervisory Tasks

- To supervise and consult with the Directors of Finance, Programme, Policy & Quality Assurance and Administration as well as the Head of the Internal Audit Unit.
- To communicate and enforce SCA policies and strategies throughout the organisation

Technical Tasks

- To plan activities in accordance with the Planning Cycle and directives from the Secretary General.
- To ensure regular reporting to the Secretary General of activities relating to Strategic Plans, Annual Workplans & Budgets and decisions related to these taken by the Board.
- To ensure quality in programmes through review of reports, consultations, follow-up and evaluations.
- To take decisions, in consultation with the Director of Administration, on security matters regarding SCA staff and property.
- To develop programmes based on analyses of policies and of the changing environment

Finance tasks

- To act in accordance with SCA’s Financial Regulations.
- To participate in the promotion and strengthening of fundraising activities among the Swedish public, Swedish as well as other donor authorities
- To be responsible for the overall control of funds received by SCA in Afghanistan.
- To be signatory for SCA in the Kabul Management Office.
- To authorise disbursement of SCA funds within the approved budget.

Training tasks

- To enhance the ability of SCA’s employees to carry out their duties.
- To promote capacity building of Afghans on all existing positions

External tasks

- To develop and maintain relations with local and central authorities, institutions, diplomatic missions, other aid organisations and individuals deemed necessary for an efficient implementation of SCA programmes in Afghanistan
- To lead SCA’s advocacy and lobbying efforts in Afghanistan
- To guide SCA’s information efforts in Afghanistan

Personnel tasks

- To recruit, promote and dismiss locally employed staff members in consultation with the line management.
- To participate in the recruitment, promotion and dismissal of expatriate staff in consultation with the Secretary General.

Miscellaneous tasks

- To participate in Annual Meetings, Board and Executive Committee meetings as well as conferences and seminars when requested.
- To do any other task, within his/her field of competence, that the Secretary General may request.

Application information

Contract period: 2 years with an initial 6 months probationary period
Conditions: Non family posting. SCA offers a competitive salary, free housing, insurances and other benefits.
Duties to begin: May 2011
How to apply
Send your application (a 1-page letter explaining why you are interested in this position and your key competencies) and CV (no more than 2 pages) in English to application.sca@sak.se
Last day of application: 16 November 2010

More information about SCA can be found on our web sites www.sak.se and www.swedishcommittee.org