Director Programs* in Kabul

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration until December 31, 2026, with good prospects for extension. Employment location will be Kabul, Afghanistan (AF), with irregular travel to the Regional Offices in Northern Afghanistan and potential new areas but subject to security approval.

For more than four decades, Welthungerhilfe has been supporting people in Afghanistan, providing humanitarian aid since the early 1980s and maintaining a permanent presence in the country since 1992. After a shift towards long-term development programming post-2002, the organisation returned to large-scale humanitarian assistance following the international sanctions of August 2021, which brought development funding to a halt.Today, Welthungerhilfe operates in nine provinces across Afghanistan, delivering life-saving interventions that reach up to 600,000 people. With food security under severe strain and widespread acute malnutrition (IPC Phase 3) as well as critical pockets of IPC Phase 4, the need for effective humanitarian programming is urgent and growing.

As Director Programs, you work under the supervision of the Country Director and play a central role in steering Welthungerhilfe’s strategic and operational program direction in Afghanistan. Positioned in the salary scale below the Head of Programs, you support the implementation of the multi-annual country strategy to ensure maximum impact in line with Welthungerhilfe’s global strategy, relevant concept papers, and quality standards. In agreement with the Country Director, you represent Welthungerhilfe in the country and contribute to the development and implementation of programs and projects, continually strengthening the overall intervention concept. You oversee the implementation of the full project portfolio, guide project managers in applying Welthungerhilfe’s standard project cycle management, and support them in analyzing implementation challenges and identifying mitigation measures. Working closely with area managers, you assess and address access-related risks to ensure safe and effective project delivery. In addition, three international experts—covering food security & nutrition, agriculture & natural resource management, and grants management—report directly to you, enabling you to coordinate technical excellence across all program areas. Within the framework of responsibilities agreed with the Country Director, you also assume specific specialised duties essential to the effectiveness and quality of Welthungerhilfe’s work in Afghanistan.

Your responsibilities

• Monitor the implementation of projects and programmes according to WHH quality standards, including the setup of an effective and participatory M&E system, and supervision of the use of funds and financial requirements
• Participate in the recruitment and training of team members
• Support the Country Director in the development of needs-based and impact-oriented country programme and annual planning
• Support the Country Director in ensuring the impact of the country programme and provide regular updates on the status of the programme
• Identify new partners and advise partner organizations on organizational and conceptual matters, ensuring the quality of projects and programmes and identifying capacity building measures
• Monitor the evolution of possible crises through early warning indicators
• Monitor, and where applicable, update or modify, in consultation with the Country Director, the WHH preparedness and contingency plan
• Liaise with WHH Head Office units to provide information on political, economic and social developments in Afghanistan and project regions to the Country Director and WHH Head Office
• Represent Welthungerhilfe vis-à-vis other national and international, governmental, and non-governmental bodies as well as relief and development organizations

Your profile

• A university or college degree in humanitarian/development studies or an equivalent degree related to the position
• At least 5 years of professional experience in a similar position in which two years in fragile context
• (Experience working with international donors)
• Regional experience working in the global South and/or in an insecure environment would be an asset
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proven reporting and organizational skills, with proficiency in writing for different audiences
• Ability to work under time pressure and high workload
• You recognize the growing value of data within an organization and inspire teams to make decisions grounded in analysis and evidence
• Ability to work in an insecure environment and committed to adhere to strict security procedures
• Readiness to receive necessary vaccinations for working in Welthungerhilfe's project countries
• Excellent spoken and written English

Our offer

We offer you the opportunity to work in a responsible and interesting field as part of an extremely dedicated team. Welthungerhilfe attaches great importance to the personal and professional development of its employees. Remuneration is based on our gender-independent salary scale.

• Excellent spoken and written English