Country Director

Community Development and Research Organization (CDRO) is a national, non-governmental, non-profit humanitarian and development organization established in 2018 to improve the lives of vulnerable communities across Afghanistan. CDRO implements integrated programmes in Food Security and Livelihoods, Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), WASH, Health, Nutrition, Education, Protection, Emergency Response, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation, and Community Resilience. Through evidence-based programming, strong community engagement, and close coordination with government institutions, UN agencies, donors, and humanitarian partners, CDRO delivers timely, inclusive, and accountable interventions that address immediate humanitarian needs while strengthening long-term resilience and sustainable development.

Duty Station

Country Office

Reports To

Board of Directors / Executive Director (as applicable)

Supervises

Programme, Operations, Finance, HR, MEAL, Security, and Support Departments

Job Purpose

The Country Director provides overall strategic leadership, management, and representation of the organization, ensuring effective programme delivery, operational excellence, financial accountability, and compliance with donor and national regulations. The Country Director leads organizational growth, develops strategic partnerships, mobilizes resources, and ensures high-quality humanitarian and development programming that responds to the needs of affected communities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and overall leadership for the country programme.
• Develop and implement the organization's country strategy and annual operational plans.
• Ensure programmes are aligned with organizational priorities, donor requirements, and national humanitarian and development priorities.
• Promote innovation, learning, and continuous organizational improvement.

2. Programme Management

• Provide oversight of programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and achieve intended results.
• Monitor programme quality and ensure compliance with donor requirements and humanitarian standards.
• Lead programme reviews and support adaptive management.

3. Resource Mobilization and Business Development

• Identify funding opportunities and lead resource mobilization efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with institutional donors, UN agencies, INGOs, embassies, and private sector partners.
• Lead the development and review of high-quality proposals, concept notes, and strategic partnerships.
• Support programme expansion and organizational sustainability.

4. Representation and Coordination

• Represent the organization with government authorities, UN agencies, donors, clusters, NGO forums, and other stakeholders.
• Build strategic partnerships to strengthen coordination and collaboration.
• Participate in humanitarian coordination meetings and advocate for the needs of affected communities.
• Enhance the organization's visibility and reputation.

5. Financial Management

• Provide oversight of financial planning, budgeting, and expenditure management.
• Ensure effective use of organizational resources and value for money.
• Monitor financial performance and ensure donor compliance.
• Approve expenditures within delegated authority.

6. Operations and Compliance

• Oversee finance, procurement, logistics, human resources, administration, IT, and security functions.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor regulations, labour laws, and national legal requirements.
• Strengthen internal controls and risk management systems.
• Ensure timely donor reporting and audit readiness.

7. People Management

• Provide leadership and supervision to senior management and department heads.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
• Support staff development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, and staff wellbeing.

8. Risk Management and Security

• Lead organizational risk management and business continuity planning.
• Ensure effective security management and staff safety.
• Monitor contextual developments and adapt operational strategies accordingly.
• Oversee safeguarding, PSEA, and duty of care commitments.

9. Quality, Accountability, and Safeguarding

• Ensure integration of MEAL, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Gender Equality, Protection, Disability Inclusion, and PSEA across all programmes.
• Promote evidence-based decision-making and organizational learning.
• Ensure communities have access to effective feedback and complaints mechanisms.

10. Reporting

• Provide regular strategic, programme, and financial updates to senior leadership and the Board.
• Ensure timely submission of donor reports and organizational reporting requirements.
• Monitor key performance indicators and organizational performance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in International Development, Project Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• A bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian and development programming.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership or country management role.
• Demonstrated experience managing large donor-funded programmes (UN, ECHO, FCDO, USAID, AHF, GIZ, SDC, etc.).
• Proven experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and partnership development.
• Experience working in complex and insecure environments.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong strategic leadership and decision-making skills.
• Excellent programme and project management.
• Financial and budget management.
• Proposal development and donor relations.
• Negotiation and stakeholder engagement.
• Team leadership and people management.
• Risk management and problem-solving.
• Strong communication and report writing skills.
• High ethical standards and commitment to humanitarian principles.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of local languages is highly desirable.

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their CV, cover letter, and relevant supporting documents to hoso@cdro.org.af with the position title clearly indicated in the subject line of the email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. CDRO is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified women and persons with disabilities to apply.