We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

•            No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday

•            All children learn from a quality basic education and that,

•            Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

SCI - Afghanistan

Save the Children has been working in Afghanistan since 1976. Our way of working close to people and on their own terms has enabled us to deliver lasting change to tens of thousands of children in the country. The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is the basis of our work.

We are helping children get a better education, we make it possible for more boys and girls to attend school, we help children protect themselves and influence their own conditions. We work with families, communities and health workers in homes, clinics and hospitals to promote basic health in order to save lives of children and mothers

ROLE PURPOSE:
Save the children seeks to delve into a new area of programming, promoting stability, social cohesion, and strengthening integrated service delivery for returnee, nomadic and host communities across Afghanistan. SC therefore seeks to engage a Programme Manager who will be responsible for planning, executing, and finalizing the successful delivery of an integrated, multi-sector project in Afghanistan- the NL-SRoL Programme.

The Programme Manager will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating program implementation efforts for both nomadic and host communities. This role involves managing the delivery of aid, ensuring cultural sensitivity, and fostering positive relationships between nomad and host communities. The Programme Manager will ensure effective financial and operational management, including adapting project design to context, planning project activities and implementing strategies to address the unique challenges faced by these communities, ensuring equitable access to services and promoting peaceful coexistence, and estimating time and financial commitments of the project in close coordination with collaboration across functions. This includes acquiring resources, coordinating the efforts of team members, and ensuring that the program’s goals are met on time and within budget and with compliance.
The successful postholder will be highly organized and skilled at mobilizing teams across different themes and locations towards a common goal. S/he will oversee the day-to-day implementation of the Programme and will be accountable for delivering project activities to the agreed quality standards, with a responsibility for seeking and coordinating input as appropriate from the technical teams. The Programme Manager will be an adaptable and proactive team player, with solid ability to drive, manage and track programme implementation, while ensuring adherence to technical programme quality standards, monitoring and evaluation systems, donor compliance and SCI regulations.
The role holder will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the programmes progress in relation to timely delivery, outputs actual spends, quality and results as compared to the original plans and the project proposal. S/he will manage issues and risk and make recommendations on how to adjust or reallocate resources to accommodate changes and respond to challenges.
The Programme Manager also be responsible for effective stakeholder relationship management, including developing and maintaining strong working relationships at different tiers (internally and externally), with partner agencies, and relevant authorities operating in the areas of intervention.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Programme Planning: Define the program’s scope, goals, and deliverables. Develop detailed project plans and timelines.

Programme Management:
•    Design, implement, and monitor humanitarian response programs tailored to the needs of the target population, including returnees, nomadic and host communities.
•    Develop strategies to address the mobility of nomadic populations, ensuring continuous access to essential services.
•    Coordinate with sectoral teams (health, protection, education, livelihoods and WASH) to ensure integrated programming.

Community Engagement:
•    Engage with target population/communities, to understand their specific needs and concerns.
•    Facilitate dialogue between nomadic and host communities to prevent conflicts over resources and execute project in a conflict sensitive manner.
•    Promote community-led initiatives (e.g. committees) that strengthen relationships and mutual understanding.

Partnerships and Coordination:
•    Liaise with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to coordinate humanitarian efforts. 
•    Develop mutually enriching partnerships with organizations specializing in nomadic issues, ensuring culturally appropriate interventions.
•    Represent the organization in coordination meetings and forums related to the project’s target population groups.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
•    Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, making adjustments as needed.
•    Prepare regular reports on program progress, challenges, and outcomes.
•    Ensure that data collection methods are sensitive to the nomadic lifestyle and that monitoring activities do not disrupt communities.

Capacity Building:
•    Train and mentor local staff and community volunteers on best practices for engaging communities.
•    Develop and disseminate guidelines on culturally and conflict sensitive programming and conflict resolution.

Resource Mobilization:
•    Identify funding opportunities and assist in the development of proposals that address the needs of nomadic and host communities.
•    Manage program budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to donor requirements.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:
•    Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
•    Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:
•    Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
•    Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
•    Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:
•    Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
•    Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
•    Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:
•    Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
•    Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:
•    Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

Additional job responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Health and Safety:
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Compliance to Policies: Child Safeguarding Policy; Code of Conduct; Anti-Bribery and Fraud
The post holder is required to comply with these key policies, and other organizational policies and procedures, at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Management, International Development, Business Administration or a related field; A Master’s degree is preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
• Proven experience as a Programme Manager or similar role.
• Strong understanding of the cultural, social, and economic dynamics of nomadic communities.
• Proven experience in conflict resolution, community engagement, and program management.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to work in culturally diverse environments.
• Strong understanding of project/program management techniques and methods.
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Basecamp).

Desirable:
Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Qualified applicants are highly encouraged to apply for the position by filling in the online application form. In addition to the online application form, they can also attach their CV and cover letter in the online system. Please note that only the applications received through the online portal will be considered for this position.

Applicants can login to the online application system by copying and pasting the following link intro their web browser. Returning users will need to enter their username and password, first time users will need to create a user account.

It is recommended that you save your username and password for future job applications through the online system.

Save the Children International (SCI) is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as core to our vision and values. We provide equitable employment opportunities and aim to increase the representation of women, people with disabilities, and individuals from minority groups to effectively meet the diverse needs of the children and communities we serve.

At SCI, we value the authentic selves of everyone, including you! If you have any access needs or require support due to a disability or other reasons, please let us know at the time of your application. We are here to assist you and ensure an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience.

Please note: SCI does not request any fees during any stage of the recruitment process.