The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development (ACBAR) is an independent forum founded in 1988 in response to the demand from NGOs working with Afghan refugees in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan to more efficiently coordinate assistance and delivery of services. With its main office in Kabul since 2002, ACBAR brings together more than 200 National and International NGOs working in in all sectors of humanitarian assistance and development in Afghanistan. Based on our three strategic pillars of Information and Coordination, Advocacy and Enabling Environment, and Capacity Building, ACBAR’s activities support our members to effectively deliver services and implement programs across Afghanistan, as well as provide services that promote ongoing organizational development and learning.   ACBAR is committed to providing an efficient platform for members to carry out effective humanitarian, development, and peace building activities in Afghanistan. The members are the drive behind ACBAR, and their active participation is essential to ACBAR’s continued dynamism.

With the ongoing humanitarian reset, ACBAR is taking a stronger role providing programmatic coordination for our members and implementing NGO’s in numerous areas, including on emergency response coordination and sub-national coordination.  With presence in seven regions and in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, ACBAR is naturally positioned to ensure that humanitarian and early recovery programs implemented by NGO’s in the event of a rapid-onset emergency are done so in way that is effective and efficient, providing the most amount of support and agency to local communities impacted by ongoing and potential shocks.  As part of our overall strategic vision to support more locally-led coordination at the sub-national level, ACBAR is expanding our team to lead these increased responsibilities.

The Emergency Response Coordination (ERC) Manager will lead ACBAR’s efforts to improve coordination among NGO’s to plan, prepare, and execute responses to rapid-onset emergencies and declared crises.  This position will work with a broad number of stakeholders, including NGO leaders, field managers, national authorities and community leaders to ensure that response programming is well coordinated among humanitarian actors, particularly for ACBAR members participating in a response effort.  This will include anticipatory planning, liaison and engagement with all actors (including UN, sectoral line ministries, national, provincial and district level authorities, etc).  A strong component of this role will also include developing strategies to better empower community leaders and affected populations in responding to emergencies in their own village and districts. The position will also support capacity strengthening efforts led by ACBAR and partners to support national NGO’s and civil society to take a leadership role in emergency response.

ESSENTIAL TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE POSITION

Technical:

• Lead initial and periodic assessments of the current capacity and effectiveness of coordination mechanisms for emergency response nationally and across all regions of Afghanistan.  Identify deficiencies and provide recommendations to all stakeholders on how to make immediate and ongoing improvements.
• Lead the development of a comprehensive NGO emergency response plan at the national and regional levels with the inputs of ACBAR members and other NGO’s. 
• Develop plans to establish or reform platforms for NGO-focused and NGO-led emergency response planning at the national and sub-national level and hold meetings on a monthly basis.
• Co-lead the development and operationalizing of ACBAR’s Regional Engagement and Advocacy Platforms in conjunction with the Advocacy Department and the Regional Managers.
• Meet on a regular basis with ministry officials at the national level, particularly with the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), to align NGO planning with ministry priorities and needs.
• Attend relevant humanitarian cluster meetings to coordinate on topics germane to emergency response coordination. 
• Liaise with UNOCHA and UN agency counterparts to coordinate response planning between UN and NGO’s.
• Co-lead efforts to roster national and local NGO’s to serve as rapid response partners in the event of emergencies at the sub-national level.
• Coordinate with ACBAR’s Training Manager and Programs Team to develop and facilitate trainings and systems to strengthen capacity of national NGO’s and CSO’s related to topics on emergency response planning.
• In the event of a rapid onset emergency, deploy to the field location as needed to coordinate immediate response efforts among NGO’s and serve as the NGO response focal point.
• Perform other related tasks necessary to support NGO’s and CSO’s successfully implementing emergency response plans.

Managerial and Administrative:

• Manage a team comprised of an ERC Coordinator and 5-7 emergency coordination officers and other support staff at the field level to ensure planning and response efforts are carried at the provincial level.
• Support timely and high-quality progress reporting for internal and external reports, including but not limited to regular member newsletters, donor reports, website content, etc.
• Support administration of service and consultant contracts and other administrative tasks related to implementation of emergency response activities.
• Support budget management for emergency response coordination activity budget lines for donor-funded programs and internal funding allocated to the department.
• Assist in representing ACBAR in meetings with various stakeholders, including but not limited to, the United Nations, International Donors, and Government Ministries.
• Work alongside ACBAR Coordinators for Localisation, Accountability to Affected Populations, Women’s Working Group and others to mainstream efforts to promote more locally-owned, accountable and responsive program activities focused on emergency response.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to Project Management, Humanitarian Aid, Development Policy, Business and/or Management, or another specialized field relevant to the role.  Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Minimum Eight (8) years of professional experience, with demonstrated experience leading large scale response efforts to rapid-onset crises and humanitarian emergencies.  
• Minimum five (5) years of experience with INGO’s and/or the United Nations.
• Preference given to candidates who have worked in numerous locations in Afghanistan, including direct field work.

OTHER DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Previous experience managing small to medium sized teams and overseeing the work of others.
• Ability to develop and implement emergency response plans and/or manuals in English and at least one native language (either Dari or Pashto)
• Experience in humanitarian coordination and/or representing an organization before government officials, international donors and with other coordination forums.
• Certification in Project Management or Leadership Development preferred.
• Expert knowledge of best practices in emergency response in the Afghan context.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a rapidly changing environment; and follow instructions and to ask for help when necessary.
• The ability to work with other in a respectful and professional manner and work well as the leader of a team.

If you possess the necessary qualifications and experience, we invite you to complete the form using the link provided below by Jan,31, 2026.  Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Notes: Please be informed that the written test and interview will be conducted only in person.

Job Application Form Link: https://form.acbar.org/app/form?id=7KJkkw