Civil society has long been a key factor in addressing a full range of issues in the social, cultural, religious, humanitarian, and political life of Afghanistan. With the focus on the transition to Afghan leadership, civil society, particularly local and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), have the potential to play an important and complementary role in Afghanistan in the delivery of the government’s priority programs, in supporting improved governance, in connecting the wider Afghan population to the state, and in advocating for the vulnerable and excluded.

NGOs in Afghanistan face challenges, including financial and capacity gaps and a public trust deficit, in their endeavors to play such a role effectively. The government, the international community, and civil society have been considering methods by which to support NGOs to address these challenges and realize their potential, dating back to discussions at the Conference on Enabling Environment for Effective Private Sector Contribution to Development in Afghanistan in June 2007. One of the outcomes of these considerations was the formation of a working group, with representation from international and national NGOs, key national NGO networks, and civil society professionals, to establish an organization that will enable NGOs to address these challenges.

The Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society (AICS) objectives are:

1. To raise the credibility of the civil society sector by certifying local NGOs using locally defined and internationally recognized standards.
2. To systemize capacity-building efforts by coordinating initiatives using measurable performance indicators.
3. To strengthen the role of civil society in Afghanistan’s development through policy dialogue and active engagement with the government, donors, and the broader development sector.
4. To provide a channel for resources for civil society by strengthening philanthropic and corporate social responsibility efforts.

The Project Officer is responsible of all project activities across four provinces to assure the timely and within the scope quality implementation of the project activities in close consultation with Project Manager and report the program & Partnership Manager. The Project Officer will also assist in the coordination of the project with the project stakeholders.

• S/he is responsible for overseeing data collection, supporting with cleaning data and accuracy check, and assisting the specialist in developing the report.
• Proactively support Project Manager in implementation of the project.
• S/he will be responsible to travel to targeted provinces under the project for conducting trainings to beneficiaries.
• S/he will be responsible for beneficiaries communication and problem solving in grant management of the beneficiaries.
• S/he will be responsible to regularly update the workplan and share the progress of the project on daily basis.
• S/he will be responsible to participate in team weekly check-in meetings and provide update on progress of the activities.
• S/he will be responsible to travel for field visits and provide findings reports of the visit.
• Proactively support Project Manager in coordinating and supervision the enumerators.
• Project officer will have a key role in translating capacity gaps in the capacity building design/plan.
• S/he will be responsible for collecting, compiling and consolidating all information related to different components of the project on a regular basis.
• S/he should provide timely feedback on the project progress and shortcomings to the Program manager.
• S/he should support the project lead in developing/modifying Work Plan, reporting and Financial Plan on quarterly basis.
• S/he should provide a support team in organizing the training events as per outlined capacity building plan.
• Project Officer is responsible for coverage of all beneficiaries direct and indirect.
• Critically analyze the project components and ensure the compatibility of the Cash for pay and granpost-evaluationon with the initial plan.
• Establish linkages with line departments, NGOs and relevant institutions at village and district level.
• Preparation of monthly and periodic reports in close coordination with the Project Manager and submit the same to the Project Lead.
• Conduct special/case studies as and when required during the project cycle.
• Any relevant responsibility assigned by the Program manager.

• At least two years experience of working with civil society organizations.
• Bachelor’s Degree 5 years relevant experience.
• Master’s Degree 2 years relevant experience.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills, strong inter-personal skills, promote participation and teamwork, proven capacity for analysis and synthesis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, persuasive, firm, mature, analytical, detailed, organized, creative, service and quality oriented, proactive, persistent, and open minded
• Fluent in Dari/Pashtu and English both in written and spoken, and familiar with MS Office applications & organizational / staff development softwares
• Experience working the data management softwares.
• Proven ability to develop an excellent working relationship and coordination with relevant internal and external partners and stakeholders and to ensure compliance to best practices and the fundamental principles of the organization.
• Proven ability to review, develop, and ensure consistent implementation of capacity building systems and approaches that fit with the current and future needs of the organization
• Proactive
• Committed
• Honest
• Proven ability to apply multidimensional approach in assessing and dealing with current and future challenges and to work effectively and efficiently both independently and in teams in stressful situations

Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs@aicsafg.org  no later than 31 December 2024. 

Important Notes: 
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number and Position Title as the Subject of the e-mail when applying. 
•    No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage. 
•    Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
•    Salary scale: Based on the organization salary scale.

The Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society (AICS) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge. 

Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs@aicsafg.org

Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society  (AICS) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AICS implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AICS is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.
Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AICS Safeguarding Policy at all times. 

By sharing your cover letter and resume with AICS in response to this job application, applicants consent AICS to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AICS to info@aicsafg.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.

The organization has the right to start the recruitment process during the announced period.