For this role, Afghanaid seeks an individual with excellent organisation and communication skills. An ideal candidate would have previous experience working in a administrative role supporting executive members of a charitable organisation. S/he will hold high regard for confidentiality, possess outstanding people skills and approach work in a proactive and dedicated manner. Candidates will need to remain flexible and open to working beyond normal work hours to meet tight deadlines.

Main Duties

• Coordinate the MDs daily diary, screen e-mail, draft correspondence and prepare documents for meetings and professional appointments  

• Provide preparatory materials and coordinate the MD’s external representation engagements and fundraising opportunities; draft speeches, visual presentation and workshop materials

• Coordinate internal (quarterly Board and Executive Team reports ) and external (Annual Report) materials and ensure appropriate distribution; edit other organisational strategic and operational documents as required

• Minute Executive Team, ad hoc and other intrenal meetings attended by the MD

• Research and write internal and external briefs and reports to be used in national and international level communications

• Represent Afghanaid in  advocacy and influencing forums and meetings

• Acting on behalf of the MD, attend government, UN and civil society co-ordination; represent Afghanaid’s position

• Assist the MD in monitoring performance indicators against strategic and operational plans

• Functioning as the communications focal point in the Kabul office, working in close coordination with the London office to produce high quality communications material for external distribution. This includes taking photos and collecting case studies. 

• Perform other relevent duties as assigned and approved by the MD 

Personal Specification

Essential

Education: 

• Master’s degree in relevant research-based discipline (Development, Anthropology, Policy and Research, International Relations or similar subjects) or an undergraduate degree with relevant experience

Experience: 

• Writing high quality policy and  communications documents for public use

• One year of practical experience in a similar role

• Working with high levels of autonomy

• Strong conceptual and analytical skills

• Voluntary or work experience within international development or charity sector

• Managing relationships with a variety of different stakeholders

• Coordinating research projects

Skills:

• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint)

• Excellent written and spoken English (to Native standard) 

• Integrity, honesty, transparency and a firm commitment to professional standards of confidentiality

• Sense of humour, initiative and self motivation, excellent team work and communications skills, ability to work collaboratively with others

• Sensitivity to Islamic culture and respect of Afghan customs and traditions, able to live and work in a diverse environment

• Outstanding organisational skills, able to communicate and collaboratively manage competing priorites

• Drive to achieve results and get the things done

• Ability to deal with difficult, challenging work situations and remain calm under pressure

Desirable 

• Experience living, traveling or working in isolated and conflict locations/countries

• Firsthand understanding of the operating environment of humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan (or a similar context)

• Basic fluency in Dari or Pashtu

Other Information

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff is passionate about and proud Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions. 

This position is based in Afghanaid’s head office in Kabul, Afghanistan. Given the Covid-19 pandemic, all Kabul-based international staff are currently working remotely. It is likely that you will begin this role working from home or from Afghanaid’s London Office. You will be required to relocate to Kabul once international staff return to Afghanistan, and you will be based there for the remainder of your contract.

Due to security considerations, this is an unaccompanied post. International employees are entitled to 22 annual leave days, 25 rest and relaxation days, 5 travel days and 16 public holidays per year. Afghanaid also provides a generous travel allowance for international staff to take R&R out of the country.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations. 

You will be given a private room in the staff house where all Kabul-based international hired staff members live.

This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to move up in their career.

To apply

If you are interested in this role please read the information enclosed and submit your CV and covering letter no later than 09:00 GMT on Tuesday 14th  July, 2020 including your name and the job title in the subject line. Your covering letter should be no more than 2 - A4 pages in length and explain how you meet the essential and desirable requirements and why you feel you would be a suitable candidate for this role. The precision and style with which you present yourself in your covering letter and CV will be given significant weight in short listing candidates. Please also indicate how you heard about the role (Charity Jobs, Afghanaid web page and etc) and your salary requirements.

The following items are enclosed:

• Job Description 

• Person Specification