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 202 National and International NGOs working in in all sectors of humanitarian assistance and development in Afghanistan. Its activities focus heavily on information to its members and the aid community in general, coordination of activities at the national and regional levels, and advocacy on issues affecting the work of its members in Afghanistan. ACBAR has a mission to provide 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. For more information, please visit: www.acbar.org

RESPONSIBILITY SUMMARY

ACBAR is the NGO coordination body in Afghanistan, comprised of more than 200 members of International NGOs and National NGOs and has been established in 1988.
The Director of ACBAR is a full-time job that is responsible for leading the Secretariat of ACBAR in Afghanistan. His role is to ensure that members interest and priorities are represented when engaging with other stakeholders, including donors, authorities, and any relevant stakeholder. It is a strategic role and position as most of the discussions, engagements and advocacy are coordinated through ACBAR.

ESSENTIAL TASKS

1. Overall Management of ACBAR:

• Provide oversight, lead and manage ACBAR staff in Kabul as well as in the regional offices in coordination with the Senior Management Team.
• Oversight the recruitment process.
• When necessary, suggest new strategic position opening for the Steering Committee to approve.
• Organize the structure of ACBAR with approval of the SC
• Complete oversight of ACBAR finances. Reporting financial issues in a timely manner to the Steering committee. Ensure robust control mechanisms are in place and functioning.
• Identify and develop donor opportunities and overall resources for ACBAR. Review the overall project and donor reports process in a timely and accurate manner
• Lead on implementation of ACBAR strategic plan and follow up on the development of related action plans.
• Develop, consult on, and implement, innovative strategies to address members needs as issues arise.
• Support members knowledge and adherence to the ACBAR code of conduct.
• Consult with and report regularly to the Chairperson and Steering Committee of ACBAR.
   

2. Representation, Advocacy and Programmes:

• Engage with and maintain constructive relations with UN, Donors, IEA, other civil society coordination bodies and external actors, while preserving ACBAR’s independence and members interests.
• Facilitate implementation of the advocacy strategy in close coordination with ACBAR’s advocacy manager.
• Strengthen ACBARs internal and external communication functions in alignment with the strategic plan and values, while taking into account confidentiality and risks.
• Provide oversight and assist in the coordination and facilitation of training and capacity building programmes that support ACBAR members and wider civil society together with ACBAR project/program coordinator.
• Review and strengthen ACBAR’s regional offices, and improve feedback and coordination mechanisms frequently
• Represent members interests at meetings with key stakeholders, including but not limited to, IEA, UN, and the donor community.
   

3. Networking & Coordination:

• Ensure regular and timely information sharing meetings in Kabul and at regional levels with identified action points and follow-up action points.
• Regularly update members on issues of key relevance, and develop guidance.
• Ensure that all constituencies of ACBAR membership are represented adequately.
• Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders, and ensure that pertinent information is accessible to the membership.
• Take the lead in negotiations with key stakeholders and ensure members interests are prioritized.
• Cooperate closely with external stakeholders and regional/international NGO such as ICVA, InterAction, ENNA and other networks.
• Form productive links with other NGO coordination bodies inside Afghanistan.
• Chair the crisis management team as needed.
• Review the current working groups effectiveness, and adapt to changes in the context as required

Any other tasks as requested by the Steering Committee and General Assembly via the SC

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and/or ATTRIBUTES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or attribute required.

• Strong leadership and management skills including program and financial management, within a fragile environment.
• Proven understanding and experience of advocacy with multiple stakeholders and within a complex humanitarian context.
• Patient and stable during crisis of any nature, be it at the country, government, local or members’ level to manage it through wisdom and quick consultation with the SC and/or thematic groups of the SC
• Knowledge of basic humanitarian principles and NGO values.
• Strong diplomatic skills, when representing ACBAR and its membership in all fora.
   

EDUCATION, TRAINING and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in relevant fields preferred. 
• 10 years minimum professional experience in similar positions in NGOs / UN organizations or other coordination bodies, in comparable contexts
   

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY

• Strong analytical, communication, coordination and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team and to coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to speak and write excellent English (mandatory), Dari / Pashto language skills would be an advantage.
• Ability to manage and direct organizational budgets and operational plans

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience may submit their current CV and cover letter detailing their motivation to apply and why they are best suited for the position.
Please submit your application (i.e., cover letter and CV) as one document either in Word or pdf format to applications@acbar.org, with Director in the subject line no later than 09 Dec 2024. Please do not submit any written recommendations or training certificates as part of your application. Any applications emailed directly to individual ACBAR staffs will not be considered.
Because applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and this position may be filled prior to the closing date, please send submissions as soon as possible. 
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact webinfo@acbar.org.