Afghanistan: Country Director

Sep 30, 2025 (Deadline: 2025-10-26) | Norwegian Church Aid
View Original

NCA has provided assistance to the Afghan population since 1979 and established an office in 1996. Our program focuses on integrated watershed management, linking sustainable water management with economic empowerment, agriculture, and climate resilience. NCA is a partnership-based organization with a strong emphasis on local participation and inclusion. Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters, and the Country Office has the capacity to respond rapidly with cash assistance, shelter, WASH, and psychological first aid. NCA operates in three provinces: Kunduz, Wardak, and Kunar, and the country office has approximately 50 staff members.

Purpose of the Position:

NCA is seeking an experienced and seasoned leader to serve as Country Director in Afghanistan. This is a unique opportunity to consolidate and strengthen NCA’s programs, implement the integrated watershed management strategy, and ensure sustainable funding and high-quality programming in a challenging and dynamic context.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide strategic leadership and consolidate the office in line with NCA’s vision and strategy.
  • Lead program development and fundraising, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
  • Proven track record of establishing and sustaining a culture of strong internal controls and accountability across all aspects of operations.
  • Provide strong and culturally sensitive leadership to a diverse team.
  • Strengthen internal control systems, compliance, and organizational accountability.
  • Engage effectively with local authorities, partners, donors, and other stakeholders.
  • Operate independently and decisively in a complex context.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Significant senior leadership experience in humanitarian or development programs, preferably in challenging or insecure environments.
  • Proven track record in fundraising, strategic planning, and program management.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
  • Familiarity with Norwegian organizational culture and language is considered an advantage.
  • Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is a plus.

What NCA Offers:

  • A meaningful leadership role in a long-standing, reputable organization.
  • Influence over strategy and program direction in a key sector.
  • Opportunities for professional development and international collaboration.
  • Competitive salary and benefits, including rest and recreation scheme.

Important Notes:

  • This is a non-family duty station, requiring the ability to live and work independently in a high-risk context.
  • The position is temporary, for 1 year. There might be a possibility to extend beyond one year, but this will depend on funding and other considerations.

Applicants for this position must have completed HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) within the last 4 years.

In accordance with core humanitarian principles, NCA implements a range of safeguards to prevent or reduce the possibility of humanitarian aid falling into the wrong hands. This includes those individuals and groups who are subject to sanctions by the United Nations Security Council. As part of this process, NCA will screen the details of the successful candidates for this post against the sanctions lists maintained by the UN and by some of NCAs governmental donors.