Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) is one of the most comprehensive private, not‐for‐profit health care systems in the developing world with community health programs in large geographical areas in Central and South Asia, as well as in East Africa.

The Aga Khan Health Services, Afghanistan (AKHS, A) was established in 2003 as part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). AKHS, A provides health care services mainly on behalf of the government including the Ministry of Public Health’s of Afghanistan’s Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) and Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS). AKHS, A is unique both in scale and scope, delivering critical health services along the continuum of care, from Community Health Workers (CHWs) to ISO certified hospital facilities.

Since 2003 AKHS, A is implementing Healthcare services in Bamyan, Baghlan and Badakhshan provinces. The agency’s scope of work includes the provision of primary and secondary Healthcare, Preventive and curative medical care, Nursing and Midwifery education, Human Resources Development and Hospital Management. The current working modality and role of AKHS, A in Bamyan and Badakhshan provinces as BPHS and EPHS implementer. AKHS, A provides technical support as well as capacity building of health personnel, immunization services, nutrition trainings and the training of Community Health Nurses and Community Health Midwifery.

AKHS, A tapped into internal and other donor fundings to continue supplementary and complementary supports to the national health system. Moreover, AKHS, A scale up AKDN innovations, including, expansions of e-Health services, e-learning initiatives, and cross border arrangements. To promote healthy environment, AKHS, A is implementing net zero and greenhouse gas emission.

 Job Responsibilities:

• Support the local adaptation of the global safeguarding framework and provide advice and guidance on how safe environments are to be created/maintained in AKHS,A.
• Contextualize and implement safeguarding policies, ensuring grievance redressal mechanisms are functional and safeguarding cases are appropriately addressed.
• Champion safeguarding policies and drive the necessary culture change at AKHS,A Afghanistan to promote a safe, respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Develop a multi-disciplinary safeguarding initiative for all the safeguarding issues in Afghanistan.
• Ensure that all staff are fully trained in safeguarding policies and procedures and know how to spot and raise concerns by developing a set of training and information materials about respect in the workplace.
• Raise awareness about AKDN/AKHS zero-tolerance approach with regards to Safeguarding, Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), Code of Conduct, and fraud and misuse of resources.
• Develop and implement capacity development trainings, coaching, and mentoring for Safeguarding Focal Points in the field offices.
• Ensure referral pathways are in place so that SEA survivors can receive the   required assistance in a confidential manner.
• Review the final investigation report and make recommendations jointly with the Chair of the Safeguarding Committee, based on the outcome of the investigation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality and protect the identity of the complainant, whistle-blower and the employees that are part of a grievance.
• Create and nurture a culture in which harassment, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination are never acceptable, and where reporting such acts is encouraged and facilitated.
• Create and encourage a reporting culture within the AKHS, A sites.
• Coordinate safeguarding self-assessments, risk assessments and other monitoring activities to ensure compliance with the minimum standards.
• Work with all staff particularly ESHS Officer to ensure that everyone is integrating safeguarding into all activities to prevent (or address) situations where staff/children/vulnerable adults etc. may be put at risk of harm, abuse or exploitation.
• Create and maintain a repository of safeguarding reports and issues for AKHS, A
• Be the first point of contact for anyone wishing to make a complaint/raise a safeguarding concern.
• Support colleagues, representatives, and partners through the provision of advice and guidance on how the safeguarding framework is to be operated and how to address safeguarding risks and issues that may be identified.
• Provide advice and support to national and local safeguarding focal points.
• Ensure safeguarding aspects and indicators are systematically embedded into the local HR initiatives (performance objectives, questions on staff engagement surveys, training sessions, HR audits, recruitment etc.)
• Hold self-accountable for completing tasks on time, making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling AKHS values.
• Consult with the legal counsel and Global HR department (as required)
• Communicate the final decision to the complainant within the approved timelines.
• Work with HR to conduct briefings and inductions for new hires, and training staff, volunteers, and partners on safeguarding policies and expectations.
• Provide high-level summary report of all formal and informal grievances raised to the Head Office on a quarterly basis. Any other task assigned by the line manager.

SPECIFICATIONS (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS)

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in law, legal studies, ethics, risk management, business management or another relevant field, bachelor degree Social science is desirable.
• Technical knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding principles and standards in an international context OR professional background in pluralism/inclusion/diversity
• CHS Alliance Course – PSEAH Investigation Training, will be advantageous.

Work Experience:

• Previous work experience in Afghanistan; good understanding of local context and culture
• Pervious work experience in an INGO / Humanitarian organization
• Experience of and sensitivity to working across different cultures and contexts internationally

Skills: 

•  Excellent project management skills
• Outstanding written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle data with confidentiality.
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Managing difficult/complex situations
• Middle or senior management experience

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of human resources processes and best practices           

Personal Characteristics:  

• Able to maintain confidentiality while ensuring due process through an open and transparent case management style.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written)

Qualified applicants who are exactly suitable with the above criteria are requested to send their applications + CVs through this link: https://forms.gle/nGFVDcoiqbPMGkgd9

Note: Applications are reviewed on active bases and after receiving sufficient eligible applications we may process the position before closing date. 

Aga Khan Health Service, Afghanistan strives to promote diversity as well as provide an equal employment opportunity to each candidate, regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, language, marital status, origin, political affiliation, religion, sex, or social statuses.

Aga khan Health Service- Afghanistan is an equal opportunities employer. Female are encouraged to apply.

AKHS is concerned about the climate and environmental crises we face and is doing everything possible to reduce our own impact, encouraging others to do the same, and advancing understanding in this field. AKHS has set itself the task of getting as close to net-zero carbon operations as possible by 2030. We expect all staff to contribute to achieving these aims in the context of their roles. We encourage applicants with previous experience or an interest in this field to app.

(AKHS, A enforces a zero-tolerance stance towards behaviors inconsistent with the goals of AKDN and AKHS, A, encompassing sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, authority abuse, and discrimination. The organization is committed to stringent child safeguarding principles. Successful candidates are required to align with these standards, undergoing thorough reference and background assessments, which involve validating academic credentials and employment history. Additional information may be requested for a comprehensive background check.)

“AKHS, A is an equal employment opportunity organization, and with the mandate of transparent, open, and fair recruitment process. Any follow up during the recruitment process by the applicant/candidate can disqualify the querier”.