The SCA in Afghanistan

The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) is a non-governmental organization established in 1980 as a solidarity movement to support Afghans' right to self-determination. The vision of SCA is an Afghanistan free from poverty, violence, and discrimination, where human rights are respected and all live in dignity and enjoy equal opportunity and social justice. SCA's mission is to empower its target groups to participate fully in society and influence their development.

SCA is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan, implementing a wide range of programs and projects within healthcare, education, disability, and rural development. SCA focuses on rural areas with an emphasis on empowering women, children, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. SCA operations are guided by a 3-year strategic plan (2023-2025) which centers on promoting target groups' rights and working in close collaboration with communities, civil society, and community-based organizations. SCA programs are designed along the means of capacity development, advocacy, and service delivery, and encompass gender mainstreaming in all operations and increased orientation towards resilience-building and the triple nexus approach.

SCA has around 8,000 employees, of which a third are women, and operates throughout half of Afghanistan. SCA manages its operations in Afghanistan through the Kabul Management Office and five Regional Management Offices. From its Stockholm Management Office in Sweden, SCA mobilizes commitment by supporting its membership organization, carrying out fundraising and advocacy activities, and advancing policy dialogue.

Scope of Work

The Country Director (CD) has the overall operational responsibility for SCA's interventions in Afghanistan. This task is governed by SCA Policy, Strategic Plan and related steering documents, and implemented along SCA Annual Work Plans & Budgets.

The current Strategic Plan period (2023-2025) entails further optimizing SCA's mix of service delivery, capacity development and advocacy, with a particular focus on strengthening resilience-building. SCA is also carrying out a larger organizational development process which entails improving SCA's structures, strategic direction-setting, equality and non-discrimination, and learning. The CD will ensure that SCA navigates vigilantly and flexibly through times of uncertainty, maintaining a sound analysis of the context within which SCA works, ensuring operations are effectively managed and supported, and that the organization is developed to continue being fit for purpose and making an impact .   

The CD heads the Country Management Team in Afghanistan. S/he is also part of SCA's Senior Management Team which is headed by the Secretary General.

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Entry Requirements

Essential

  • Proven communicator, excellent command of spoken and written Swedish or Scandinavian and English languages
  • University degree at master’s level, preferably in fields such as international development management, political science, international relations and/or business administration
  • At least ten years of progressively acquired work experience in leadership positions in large organisations within international development/humanitarian work
  • Solid competency within results-based management/management by objectives
  • Proven track-record within organisational development processes
  • Knowledgeable in strategic planning and financial management
  • Knowledgeable within the rights-based approach, gender equality and advocacy
  • Experience in networking and building relations in a multi-actor and multi-donor environment
  • Experience from working in conflict/post-conflict countries
  • Negotiation skills for securing operational independence and access
  • Demonstrated self-awareness, self-leadership and interpersonal skills
  • Cultural awareness and ability to adapt to a conservative environment
  • Ability to work and cope in a stressful context

Desired

  • Experience being a spokesperson for external actors and media
  • Experience of crisis management
  • Experience from work in Muslim countries
  • Having participated in HEAT training or other security training
  • Experience of working in Afghanistan

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RESPONSIBILITIES

General

  • Uphold and communicate, internally as well as externally, SCA's Vision, Mission and Values
  • Build consensus and effectively lead implementation in Afghanistan of SCAs Strategic Plan, including ensuring required internal capacities and systems are in place
  • Plan, execute and monitor the annual Work Plan and Budget
  • Further promote and develop SCAs understanding of putting its Rights-Based Approach into practice, including promoting gender equality and non-discrimination
  • Sound continuous analysis of the external context, including building and developing effective partnerships and donor-relations
  • Inspire Managers and staff, in general, to attain goals and pursue excellence
  • Promote an attitude of team spirit, cooperation and focus on quality
  • Ensure cost efficiency and effectiveness in SCA's operations in Afghanistan
  • Ensure sound risk-management and mitigation, including within safety, operational independence, access and anti-corruption

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

  • Guide, supervise, mentor and coach immediate subordinates and team members.
  • Communicate and enforce SCA policies and strategies throughout the organisation in Afghanistan

 

Technical responsibilities

  • Ensure programmes and the organisation are developed in line with SCA's Strategic Plan and relevant policies and directives
  • Ensure effective leadership, management, planning, resourcing and follow-up of execution of SCA's country operations in Afghanistan
  • Ensure the development of SCA structures, systems, procedures, capacities, support functions and learning
  • Ensure continued development of SCA as a rights-based approach actor and its adaptation within resilience-building and triple nexus
  • Ensure continued strengthening of diversity, gender equality and non-discrimination practices within SCA
  • Ensure mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation and learning are implemented and developed
  • Be a key contributor to the development of SCA’s Strategic Plan and related reporting
  • Safeguard efficient risk management and a sound security and safety regime
  • Ensure regular reporting to the Secretary General

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Finance responsibilities

  • Ensure sound financial management of Afghanistan operations
  • Be a key contributor to strategic financial planning  
  • Act in accordance with SCA’s Financial Regulations

 

External responsibilities

  • Maintain and develop relations and partnerships with authorities, diplomatic missions, donors, NGOs, civil society institutions, media and individuals
  • Be a spokesperson for SCA’s advocacy and communication efforts in Afghanistan
  • Keep abreast of, and ensure continuous analysis of, the external context

 

Personnel responsibilities

  • Ensure adequate support to HR Department for ensuring sound, efficient and strategic Human Resources management in Afghanistan
  • Lead the recruitment, promotion and dismissal of immediate subordinates as well as partake in HR management of expatriate staff
  • Ensure that duty of care commitments are fully met

Miscellaneous responsibilities

  • Regular travels to Regional Management Offices and for field activity monitoring
  • When required, travels to Sweden (for participating physically at e.g. SMT, Board and/or Annual Assembly meetings) as well as internationally for conferences and seminars.
  • Carry out any other task within his/her field of competence, as requested by the Secretary-General

 

 

SCA is a right-based organization, that has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to a right-based approach, and its standards and principles.  

 

SCA is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status. 

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.