Work Context

Over the last years, CESVI has implemented humanitarian response, early recovery, resilience-building and local economic development programmes funded by institutional donors including AICS, the European Union, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and IOM. CESVI has developed strong technical and operational expertise in food security and livelihoods, agriculture, WASH, disaster risk reduction, gender equality, education and humanitarian assistance, with a particularly consolidated presence in Herat Province since 2008. Recent AICS-funded initiatives have supported vulnerable households, returnees, women and farming communities through integrated agricultural livelihoods support, WASH, irrigation rehabilitation, Cash-for-Work, women-led income generation, community-based DRR, early warning and emergency preparedness.

CESVI operations in Afghanistan includes emergency response with resilience, livelihoods recovery and gender-sensitive programming in areas affected by return movements, climate shocks and displacement.

Job Description

The collaboration will start in Mid July/ August 2026. The main duty station will be Herat, with regular visits to Kabul and field missions’ country-wide in line with the security conditions.

The Senior Programme Manager / Country Coordinator is acting as HoM in the country and he/she is responsible for the overall mission coordination in its different aspects: staff, logistics, budget and procedures respect, security and donor relations.

He/She represents CESVI in the Country, coordinates local and international staff, promotes and maintains political and operational partnerships, impulses new projects drafting and funding.

He ensures regular update to Regional Manager/Area Manager through CESVI monthly reports

The Senior Programme Manager is responsible for the management and direct implementation of the demining project, in collaboration with the international and national partner.

As the PM of the AICS project (BAFGH005) the Senior Program Manager is in charge of:

Project Management and Coordination 

• Responsible for the planning and management of AICS project activities, budget and relations with project partners.
• Manages relations with the AICS office and with the partners.
• Ensures the correct application of CESVI and donor procedures.
• Ensures the timely submission of high-quality project reports.
• Responsible for drafting periodic, interim, and final reports for the donor, integrating inputs from project partners.
• Prepares and updates the project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
• Ensures the correct monitoring of indicators and applies tools for their monitoring, both for CESVI and for partners.
• Prepares and updates the Procurement Plan and ensures that procurement procedures respect CESVI and donor rules.
• Responsible for the forecast and is the project’s budget holder.
• Defines and requests authorization for any modification, extension or revision of the original project, in coordination with partners.
• Coordinates and supervises the Country’s programmes and procedures.
• Supervises projects and supports the staff in achieving the planned objectives on time and with efficient use of resources.
• Monitors project activities both at technical and administrative level according to the established workplan.
• Coordinates staff to guarantee project implementation and reporting, including financial reporting, in coordination with the Area Manager.

Administrative and Procurement Oversight

• He’s the final responsible for procurement procedures in collaboration with the Country Administrator and DHoM for Operations of the project AICS
• Collaborates with the Country Administrator for project accounting and expense verifications in case of need.

As Country Coordinator he is responsible for: 

Representation

• Acts as Head of Mission, with responsibility over security issues, contributing to the revision and update of security plans and manuals when required.
• Coordinates with the HQ for project, organization and donor visibility activities.
• Promotes and organizes meetings with donors, institutions, NGOs, local authorities and international agencies, in close collaboration with the Deputy HoM for operations/Specialists/Project Manager.
• Cooperates with the Communication and Fundraising Department in HQ for visibility and awareness activities implemented in and for the country.

Security Management

• Guaranteeing the respect and setting of CESVI Security Plan and other rules and regulations on security, in close collaboration with the Security Focal Point and Security Advisor
• Having constant contact with the Area Manager/Regional Manager and the Security Focal Point and Security Advisor to coordinate actions to be undertaken
• Timely information sharing with staff in the country
• Maintains communication with key informants and actively participates in country-level security coordination mechanisms.
• Participating actively in security coordination mechanisms present in the Country

Writing and submitting new proposals, donors acquisition

• Coordinates with partners, ensuring integration among the components of the various actors.
• Manages and coordinates relations with local and international partners, particularly with Alliance2015 members (if present in the Country), with INGO forum and other networks.
• In coordination with PDU and Area Manager in HQ, monitoring of calls for proposal for Ukraine
• In coordination with the Grant and Programming Department in HQ, liaising with potential donors, writing and submitting new proposals in collaboration with the Project / Program Managers and staff in the country
• Donors’ relations and promotion of CESVI’s Programmes, both through active participation to forums and workshops and through the organization of ad hoc meetings
• Develop new project proposals in the country referring to CESVI’s sector of specialization and in strict cooperation with the country team through assessments realized both at the national level or in close countries if necessary and requested by HQ.
• Participation and supervision of the entire writing process of project proposals in close collaboration with the Project / Program Managers and technical team, under the guidance of the Area Manager and PDU.
• Follow up on project proposals submitted to/being negotiated with different donors

Lead in the definition and development of the Country Programme strategy

• Contributing to the definition of a Country Strategy Paper in collaboration with the Area Manager/Regional Manager
• Identifying the main intervention sectors, areas and needs in the Country in coordination with the Area Manager/Regional Manager and in collaboration with the staff in the country
• Update of Country Strategy Paper and application of related Recommendations, in coordination with Area Manager/Regional Manager and in collaboration with the staff in the country
• Adhering to the Country Strategic Plan
• Keep regularly informed the HQ on risks regarding the implementation of the country strategy or the need to review the strategy itself
• Develop, in coordination with the Area Manager/Regional Manager and in collaboration with the staff in the country and PDU, new programme initiatives and actively lead the current emergency operations towards a long/medium term integrated and regional programme
• Monitors the progress of ongoing and planned project activities.
• – Supervision and support of the project managers in the implementation of the projects.

-Support PM for the compliance and the management of the projects

-Supervises other projects and supports the staff in achieving the planned objectives on time and with efficient use of resources.

-Monitors project activities both at technical and administrative level according to the established workplan.

-Coordinates staff to guarantee project implementation and reporting, including financial reporting, in coordination with the team.

-Ensures procurement procedures are followed in respect of CESVI and donor rules.

Human Resources Management

• Supervises and manages expatriate staff in coordination with the Area/Regional Manager.
• Supports in the oversee of local staff contracts, ensuring compliance with national labour law, NGO legislation, tax, insurance, health and safety in case of need.
• Organizes and supervises national staff capacity building and professional development.
• Supports in ensuring HR policies, terms and conditions are respected and implemented
• Participates in final selection stages of expatriate staff, in collaboration with the HR Department and Area/Regional Manager.
• Conducts regular staff meetings to review progress, challenges, and identify solutions.

Implementation of HR Policy and Code of Conduct/Safeguarding policies –Adult at risk/Child Safeguarding/PSEA

• Ensures compliance with CESVI’s HR Policy and Code of Conduct.
• Ensures safeguarding measures are implemented within their area of responsibility
• Integrates safeguarding into all systems (strategic planning, recruitment, procurement, etc.).
• Follows up on and appropriately addresses safeguarding issues.

Act in accordance with national legislation in Afghanistan

• Supports in supervise, check and monitor the respect of national legislation regarding registration of CESVI in Afghanistan and any other legal provisions affecting NGOs’ work
• Ensure compliance to local regulations and local labour law.

Strengthen and promote CESVI image in the Country

• Cooperation with the Communication and Fund-Raising HQ Offices for all communication, awareness and fundraising activities implemented in and for the country
• In coordination with the Area Manager/Regional Manager and the Communication Department, participate to visibility and communication activities and give interviews in person or by phone
• Send to communication department updates, news or success stories from the field
• Defining the visibility plan for new proposals drafting in coordination with the Communication Department and in close collaboration with the Head of Program and the Area Manager/Regional Manager
• In case of emergencies, prompt sending of pictures and updates, coordination Teams calls with HQ and phone interviews with the press

Essential Requirements 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree or post graduate degree in International Cooperation, Social Sciences or Political Science, or another relevant field, awarded at least six years ago

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in NGO environment in implementation of programs in complex situations i.e. returnees, refugees, IDPs, mix migrants
• Knowledge of main Donors (ECHO, AICS – Italian MFA, UN Agencies, EU-DEVCO, ONU, FCDO, USAID; GFFO and other international donors)
• Knowledge of the following sectors: food security and livelihoods (FSL), climate change adaptation, sustainable and resilient solutions, and disaster risk reduction (DRR).
• Experience of managing multi-donor and multi-site programmes
• Solid experience of working within a complex country programme in an emergency response or fragile state, protracted crises
• Previous experience in the set-up and management of a programme-based mission

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of effective financial and budgetary planning and control, review and evaluation
• Ability to produce timely concept notes, project proposals and high-quality narrative reports
• Ability to develop policies, plans, and strategies for implementation, if needed
• Solid diplomatic skills: the ability to manage a variety of internal and external relationships, especially with partners
• Experience in building personal networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organization
• Proven leadership and management experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including active mentoring and coaching
• Effective team membership integration ability
• Skills in developing, delivering and evaluating training for staff members
• Solid security management skills
• Good communication and leadership skills
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strategic thinking and innovation
• Self-motivated, able to take initiative, resilient and able to work independently
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively
• Highly result oriented with the ability to manage workload and stress
• Flexible and with a positive attitude
• High level of IT skills (Office package)
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Desirable Requirements

• Prior working experience in Afghanistan or Central Asia; knowledge of the Afghani context will be considered a plus
• Knowledge of Pashtu & Persian
• High level Report Writing
• HEAT Training or equivalent in personal security and security management
• Knowledge of Italian (written and spoken)
• Knowledge of Durable & Lasting Solution in Afghanistan and Anticipatory Actions

SAFEGUARDING

CESVI has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a child or a vulnerable adult by any of our staff, related people or partners.

CESVI commitment to being a safe organization begins with the staff recruitment process which includes meticulous checks, such as criminal records check or check disclosure of previous convictions, to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented. Safeguarding checks are part of the selection process performance.

TU 81-08

CESVI presta particolare attenzione alla salvaguardia della salute di tutte le risorse umane dell’Organizzazione e dunque a tutela del collaboratore è prevista, prima della partenza, la valutazione di idoneità alla posizione per ciascuna missione. Tale valutazione sarà a carico del medico competente dell’Organizzazione, che esaminerà anche le coperture vaccinali, inclusa la vaccinazione anti-Covid19.

HEALTH SAFEGUARDING

CESVI pays particular attention to safeguarding the health of all the human resources of the Organisation. Therefore, in order to protect its staff, an assessment of their suitability for the position in each mission is carried out before departure. Such assessment is done by the Occupational Doctor of the Organisation, who will also examine the vaccination coverage, including the anti-Covid19 vaccination.

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to all candidates. Only those shortlisted and contacted for an initial interview will be updated on the status of their application.

WE OFFER

• Contract duration: 12 months COLLABORATION CONTRACT (renewable)
• Salary range: € 3,700 and €3,900 gross per month
• One round-trip flight every 12 months of collaboration
• Insurance coverage
• Guesthouse in Herat
• Visa/work permit costs
• R&R