Pediatrician (Child Specialist)

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 enterprises 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 nondenominational 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, nonprofit 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
Pediatricians are responsible for conducting daily ward rounds to assess, monitor, and review patients’ health status. He should ensure accurate and timely documentation of patient case notes, including admissions, transfers, referrals, and discharges. He should provide regular outpatient (OPD) services according to the established schedule. Also, he should monitor patients’ progress continuously and adjust treatment plans as needed and should respond promptly to emergency cases and provide appropriate medical care. Furthermore, he should Perform emergency medical and minor surgical procedures when required and within scope of practice. And also, he should provide counseling to patients and their families on disease management, treatment plans, and preventive care.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Conduct daily ward rounds to assess, monitor, and review patients’ health status. 
•    Ensure accurate and timely documentation of patient case notes, including admissions, transfers, referrals, and discharges. 
•    Provide regular outpatient (OPD) services according to the established schedule. 
•    Monitor patients’ progress continuously and adjust treatment plans as needed. 
•    Respond promptly to emergency cases and provide appropriate medical care. 
•    Perform emergency medical and minor surgical procedures when required and within scope of practice. 
•    Provide counseling to patients and their families on disease management, treatment plans, and preventive care. 
•    Ensure the availability of necessary support services during patient management, especially for referred cases. 
•    Coordinate and consult with senior specialists/consultants on complicated or specialized cases. 
•    Actively participate in clinical activities including reporting, clinical audits, mortality reviews, and case discussions. 
•    Participate in clinical teaching sessions, presentations, and ward rounds with visiting consultants. 
•    Follow the duty roster (Rota) prepared by the Medical/Clinical Director or designated authority. 
•    Train and build the capacity of healthcare staff (nurses, midwives) on pediatric care practices. 
•    Supervise, mentor, and evaluate junior staff and identify their training and development needs. 
•    Ensure compliance with standard-based management, infection prevention, and clinical protocols. 
•    Provide teaching and clinical support to community midwifery students. 
•    Participate actively in clinical governance and quality assurance initiatives. 
•    Support service delivery in other clinical departments when required. 
•    Perform night duty as per the duty schedule. 
•    Support the establishment and strengthening of Therapeutic Feeding Unit (TFU) and neonatal services at the district hospital. 
•    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 policies of PSEAH.
•    To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding and/or PSEAH policies as per the given training.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Participate in health assessments, surveys, research, and program evaluations related to child health. 
•    Provide technical inputs and reports to program teams and stakeholders as required. 
•    Support community outreach and child health promotion activities. 
•    Assist during emergencies, disease outbreaks, or high patient load situations.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY 
•    Make clinical decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment, and management of pediatric patients within professional scope.
•    Identify service delivery gaps and recommend improvements. 
•    Oversee and ensure quality of care provided by the pediatric unit team.
•    Refer complicated cases to higher-level facilities or specialized consultants as needed. 
•    Contribute to planning and improving pediatric healthcare services. 

JOB SPECIFICATION
•    Medical Doctor (MD) with specialization in Pediatrics (Child Specialist). 
•    Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in EPHS/BPHS hospital settings.
•    Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office and reporting systems.
•    Strong knowledge of pediatric diagnosis and treatment.
•    Familiarity with national health guidelines and protocols. 
•    Ability to manage emergency and critical pediatric cases.
•    Fluency in Dari and Pashto.
•    Working knowledge of English is an advantage.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
•    Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
•    Ability to work effectively in challenging and resource-limited environments.
•    Problem-solving and quick decision-making skills.
•    Teamwork and leadership abilities.
•    Commitment to professional ethics and quality patient care.
•    Effective time management and organizational skills.

APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to hr.baghlan@akdn.org no later than 24th June 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 D, step 4 – 6 based on 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: hr.baghlan@akdn.org Each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference, and upon submitting your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt immediately. 

AKF- Afg recruitment and selection process reflects our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members, and employees from safeguarding violations. AKF (Afg) participates in the Scheme for the disclosure of safeguarding-related misconduct within the humanitarian and development sector (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme). In line with this Scheme, AKF (Afg) will contact previous employers of job applicants to request information about any investigations or findings of misconduct concerning allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment (sexual misconduct) against the applicant, during or after their employment. AKF (Afg) further implements 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 always comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy. 

By submitting the job application, the applicant confirms to have understood and consented to AKF (Afg) contacting the applicant’s prior employers, during AKF (Afg)’s recruitment process, to request any such information and maintain this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.