The Youth’s Assembly for Afghanistan Rehabilitation (YAAR) is a non-governmental, non-political, and not-for-profit organization established in 1994 to support the rehabilitation and development of Afghanistan. YAAR works across multiple sectors including protection, WASH, health, education, women’s empowerment, and emergency response.

The Program Manager will play a critical leadership role in planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and reporting on YAAR’s humanitarian projects in line with donor requirements, humanitarian principles, and the operational context of Afghanistan.

Program Manager is responsible for the overall management, coordination, quality assurance, and strategic oversight of all YAAR projects. The position ensures that projects are implemented on time, within budget, and according to agreed objectives, donor compliance, and humanitarian standards.

Key Responsibilities:

A. Program Leadership and Management

• Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and technical oversight for all YAAR humanitarian projects.
• Ensure effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and closure of projects in accordance with approved proposals, work plans, and budgets.
• Ensure projects achieve intended outputs, outcomes, and impact while adhering to humanitarian principles.
• Develop and regularly update project implementation plans and activity schedules.

B. Donor Coordination and Representation

• Represent YAAR in meetings with donors, UN agencies, clusters, government authorities, and other stakeholders at national and provincial levels.
• Maintain strong and transparent relationships with donors and partners and ensure timely communication on program progress, challenges, and risks.
• Attend and actively participate in relevant cluster and coordination meetings.

C. Proposal Development and Reporting

• Lead and/or support the development of high-quality project proposals, concept notes, budgets, and logical frameworks in line with donor priorities and humanitarian needs.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of quality narrative and quantitative progress reports to donors, YAAR management, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure donor compliance, visibility requirements, and reporting standards are met across all projects.

D. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Oversee regular monitoring of project activities to ensure quality, effectiveness, and accountability to affected populations.
• Conduct regular field visits and supervision missions to project sites.
• Ensure proper documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and challenges for organizational learning and program improvement.
• Support the integration of feedback and complaint response mechanisms in project implementation.

E. Team Management and Capacity Building

• Lead, supervise, and support program, technical, and field staff at country and provincial levels.
• Develop or update Terms of Reference (ToRs) for project staff and actively participate in recruitment, induction, and training processes in coordination with HR.
• Develop action plans for project teams and closely monitor staff performance and progress.
• Conduct probationary and annual performance evaluations of program staff in coordination with the HR department.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and performance-oriented work environment.

F. Financial, Logistics, and Compliance Oversight

• Closely monitor project budgets to ensure efficient and transparent use of funds in compliance with donor agreements.
• Coordinate with Finance to ensure timely expenditure tracking, reporting, and clearances.
• Work closely with Logistics, Procurement, IT, and HR departments to ensure smooth project operations.
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation measures, particularly in insecure or hard-to-reach areas.

G. Government Liaison and Compliance

• Support project registration processes, MoU signing, and coordination with line ministries and relevant authorities.
• Ensure timely submission and collection of required reports from provincial and national government departments.
• Ensure compliance with national regulations, NGO laws, and coordination mechanisms in Afghanistan.

H. Cross-cutting Responsibilities

• Ensure integration of gender, protection, inclusion, and conflict sensitivity across all programs.
• Promote safeguarding, accountability, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) in all project activities.
• Perform any other duties assigned by senior management relevant to the role. 

• Advanced university degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in program/project management with NGOs or INGO’s.
• Proven experience managing multi-sector humanitarian projects in Afghanistan.
• Proven experience in proposal writing, donor reporting, and stakeholder engagement
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to provinces across Afghanistan.
• Strong leadership, coordination, and team management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, Dari, and Pashto.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and cultural sensitivity.
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles, cluster system, and donor compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with UNPP, UNGM, and government project registration systems (e.g., MoE).
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong email writing and professional reporting skills.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their updated CV and Cover Letter (combined in a single file) via email to recruitment@yaar.af

Please clearly mention the Position Title and Vacancy Number in the email subject line (YAAR-HO-001-Program Manager); otherwise, your application will not be considered.

Please note:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written test and/or interview.

• Incomplete applications or those received after the closing date will not be considered.

• YAAR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.