National Lead – Emergency Management (DRR – CLDR)

The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. 

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries. 

AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health. 

POSITION OBJECTIVE
National Sector Lead Emergency Management/ Program Manager DRR will be responsible for efficient and effective Technical and financial management of the projects related to DRR and emergency management, by developing effective emergency management and resilience strategy, strengthening and optimizing the functioning of the  emergency management sector project development, implementation planning and effective monitoring systems and setting up new process and tools where necessary. The incumbent reports to the Head Resilience and recovery and will be directly involved in the project development, implementation and monitoring support to regions. 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Management 
•    Manage and provide strategic direction to the Emergency Management (EM) team and its programmes. 
•    In the light of the global programme framework, Develop the EM structure and programmes. Develop NPO staff and regional units’ ToRs and ensure different management and implementation layers and functions deliver the most effective and efficient services, and interact productively with each other. 
•    Based on the results of the EM global programme framework, develop a multi-year strategic plan for the EM programme taking into consideration the principles of integration, the complementarity of other programme sectors, and field realities. Review, update and improve the strategic plan on a regular basis. 
•    Ensure that AKF (Afg) Emergency Management sub-theme strategies and interventions are aligned with government priorities.
•    Manage the performance of the national and the regional EM teams. Provide them with strategic guidance, management, and sufficient technical backstopping.
•    Support AKF(Afg)’s Gender Manager with mainstreaming gender in the EM programme. 
Policy 
•    Build working relations with the relevant government departments such as the Ministry of Economy, ANDMA, MRRD, MAIL and other relevant ministries. Ensure that AKF(Afg)’s programme and priorities are aligned with these institutions. 
•    In collaboration with AKF(Afg)’s policy unit, participate in relevant policy forums and working groups initiated by the government, civil society, research institutions and the international community. Where possible ensure AKF(Afg)’s programme’s priorities are reflected in the national policy discourse.
•    Track the national and regional policy processes that relates to Emergency Management, and provide regular updates, analysis, and recommendations to senior management.
•    Work closely with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) agencies, and partner organizations in the region (Tajikistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, and other neighboring countries) on regional interests that relate to the EM mandate and strategic plan; and contribute to the development and implementation of regional programmes that promote regional cooperation.
Stakeholder Coordination 
•    Build strategic partnerships with local and international partners related to Emergency management and ensure the engagement with the partners leads to maximised impact on the beneficiaries and quality of implementation.
•    Coordinate with the provincial and national governments, broader civil society, and other relevant institutions on issues of mutual interest and ensure the results of the coordination are beneficial for the programme. 
•    Lead in strengthening relations with the AKDN institutions active in Afghanistan and develop coordination mechanisms to ensure that the network has a collaborative, strategic and integrated EM approach to development in Afghanistan, govern the coordination mechanisms and their outcomes.
Project Design and Management
•    Work closely with the Partnerships and Program support unit for developing a resource mobilisation plan for the EM programme and turn project ideas into meaningful and attractive proposals and concept notes. Track and map the funding dynamics on a regular basis and ensure there is sufficient funding secured for the EM strategic plan.
•    Develop and maintain a robust management system for implementation of the projects or parts of projects that relates to Emergency management to ensure that project objectives, outcomes, and deliverables are met on time and within budget, and that financial, operational, and reporting requirements of the donor and AKF (Afg) are adhered to.
•    Work closely with AKF(Afg)’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Unit and EM teams for developing monitoring tools, systems and approaches to maintain a regular system of projects and programme reporting for donors, government and AKF senior management.
•    Troubleshot operational issues encountered by field staff through regular field visits, coordination, and support to the regional and field offices.
Research, Learning and Innovation 
•    Work closely with MERL and other research institutions to develop and maintain an inventory of research needs; contribute to the process of planning and development of research projects and support the implementation and evaluation of these. Ensure outcomes of research is properly disseminated to and is used by the team for planning new initiatives or improving the programme delivery.
•    Ensure capacity building and participation of the field teams and the regional office in the articulation of the research needs based on the field realities in thEMr respective regions and geographies. 
•    Develop and maintain a responsive system for streamlining and documenting the innovations and best practices and ensure the innovative ideas have a natural flow to the EM programming processes.
•    Develop and lead the implementation of pilot projects based on innovations at the field level and global best practices. Establish scientific and logical measures for the assessment of the pilots and disseminate the conclusions to the relevant forums and stakeholders. 
•    Work with the MERL team to ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation plans are in place, turn data into actionable insights to guide implementation, and disseminate results and learning.
Capacity Building
•    Work with the HR to facilitate the development of a robust and relevant capacity building plan for the national and regional EM staff; support the implementation of the capacity building plan and regularly evaluate the outcomes.
•    Develop a comprehensive succession planning system for key EM positions, track readiness of local talent and where possible, support the placement of the local talent in relevant vacancies.
•    Develop realistic performance objectives for the EM staff members, review the objectives on a regular basis, and provide sufficient coaching and on the job training for staff on the areas that need improvement.
•    To carry out responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy. 
•    To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Any other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
•    Recommend staff recruitment and redundancies.
•    EM staff performance management.
•    Budget allocation to the programmes and regions.
•    EM staff HR related issues aligned with the HR manual.

JOB SPECIFICATION
•    Masters or Bachelors in Disaster Management and humanitarian response, social science and community development studies Business Administration, International Development or relevant field.
•    At least 10 years of experience in Emergency Management and/or Disaster Risk Reduction in Central and South Asia including 5 years' experience as program Manager or leading sector.
•    Demonstrated senior level experience in the development of effective strategic plans and assistance programs, and the provision of sound policy advice in transitional economies.
•    Proven operational experience with recognized ability to deliver high quality results and to meet deadlines.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
•    Excellent interpersonal skills.
•    Ability to manage diverse, multicultural, and complex teams.
•    Excellent leadership capabilities and ability to inspire team.
•    Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity.
•    Ability to perform under challenging conditions.
•    Ability and willingness to travel to remote areas of Afghanistan and cross-border areas.
•    Excellent mentorship and coaching capabilities.
•    Adoptability and Flexibility.

APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 18th April 2026.

Important Notes: 
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number 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: Grade A, step 1 - 3 as per the organization's salary scale.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) 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.afghanistan@akdn.org. Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.

Aga Khan Foundation - Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) 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 AKF (Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) 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 AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times. 

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

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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