Afghanistan - deputy country director -program (m/f) -kabul

About us

Desired start date: 15/11/2026

Duration of the mission: 6 months

Location: Kabul

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI's interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers - intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.

About the mission

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL activities are implemented in Nimroz, Farah, Herat, Helmand, Bamyan, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul and Kunduz, provinces, with emergency activities that can be deployed all over the country. Operational bases are Nimroz, Farah, Herat and Bamyan provinces. The team is now made of 125 national and 9 international employees with an annual budget of around 5.5 M EUR. SI currently implements WASH and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)/Natural Resource Management (NRM) programs. There are currently 3 grants under implementation:

• CDCS (French MoFA): in Bamyan, focusing on DRR/NRM and disability inclusion; this project is in consortium with Humanity & Inclusion (HI).
• ECHO consortium: with Save the Children (lead), INTERSOS and Humanity & Inclusion. The project responds to the returnees crisis at informal settlements and areas of return. SI response focuses on WASH, MPCA and winterization.
• ECHO consortium: with INTERSOS (lead), and MdM. The project provides comprehensive WASH, Health and Nutrition response in underserved areas in 6 provinces... SI response focuses on WASH.

The SI team consists of 36 national staff in Nimroz, 13 national staff in Bamyan, 39 national staff and 1 international staff member across the south-west region, and 37 national staff and 8 international staff based at the coordination office in Kabul.

About the job

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD), the DCD-P prime objectives are to provide leadership and management of the strategic programming, strengthening of SI’s programme development, quality and accountability. The DCD ensures the internal coherence between program activities and is responsible for ensuring that programs are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately. The position holder will require high levels of flexibility, strategic thinking and adaptability.

ISSUES AND SPECIFIC CHALLENGES

1. Ensure high quality programming and timely implementation of projects amidst tight deadlines.
2. Continued capacity building of the Program and MEAL teams in coordination and bases.
3. Support the development of new proposals for 2027 & beyond, specifically humanitarian-development nexus programming.

PRIORITIES ON THE 2-3 FIRST MONTHS

1. In coordination with the CD, establish strong working relations with different stakeholders, including Donors, partner NGOs, clusters, OCT....etc., to support SI Positioning.
2. Strengthen program quality in terms of implementation and MEAL interventions, streamline crosscutting priorities, and ensure compliance with SI standards and donor requirements.
3. Support Proposal Development in coordination with the Grants Manager and Program and MEAL teams.
4. Ensure that the operational HR setup is fit for purpose and aligned with programmatic objectives.

SECURITY CONSTRAINTS

For expats: Limited possibility of movement in Kabul: guest houses of other NGOs, UN Campounds, 3 supermarkets / malls are validated. As well as several restaurants. Missions on the field are possible to all SI operational bases. Security situation is stable, but close monitoring is ongoing as it could become volatile again. For women expatriate few specific security rules are implemented.

Your profile

DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCE

Diploma: Master degree in humanitarian field and related topics

Experience in the humanitarian sector: 5 years and more

Experience on a similar position: 0/2 years

SKILLS

TECHNICAL SKILLS

1. Project management: Experience planning, coordinating and monitoring projects, and assessments.
2. Analysis and reporting: Ability to analyse information and produce clear reports, recommendations and other technical documents.
3. Digital and data management: Good computer skills (Microsoft Office); experience with Kobo or other digital data collection tools is an asset.

TRANSVERSAL SKILLS

1. Communication and stakeholder engagement: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with partners and stakeholders.
2. Organisation and problem-solving: Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and adapt to changing circumstances.
3. Leadership and teamwork: Ability to coordinate teams, facilitate collaboration and support capacity building.

LANGUAGES

1. Proficiency in English is mandatory
2. Proficiency in Dari and/or Pashto or French will be an asset

SI will offer you

A salaried position: According to experience, starting from EUR 3080 gross per month (2800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 600. SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment. Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every two months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by SI). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked. Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

Office and Guest House conditions: guest houses and offices are in two separate buildings within the same compound. Offices are fully equipped, guest houses are equipped with nice bedrooms having individual bathrooms. Common spaces are the kitchen, terraces, one salon and one dining room. TV installed, and gym equipment in the basement of the guest house. Each building is equipped with hibernation room. Internet and telephone network: internet connection OK, 4 G globally available without issue in Kabul. Restaurant & social life: few restaurants are validated and available for deliveries with a good diversity. Social life is possible in other NGO guest houses (or SI guest house as well) with a limited number of people gathering and UN compounds. 4 Supermarkets / Malls are validated and located close to SI compound. Possibility to eat the food of the cook for lunch and dinner during the working days. Security level is 2 in Kabul, there is limited movement by foot allowed outside the compound and movement by car described as above. Due to these conditions, the rotation cycle is one RnR each 2 months. Winter temperatures in Kabul are negative (until minus 15 °C) and around 35 °C in summer. Maximum of 45 ° in Nimroz during summer. Living conditions in the field are often harsher (limited access to electricity, harsher weather conditions, isolation, etc.) and access to the field is possible in the frame of the movement plans.

Application process

Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter! Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your understanding.

To learn more about SI: www.solidarites.org

Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all acts of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH. Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.