Head of Program

Women Activities & Social Service Association (WASSA) was established in 2002 in Afghanistan as a non-governmental organization, committed to seeking ways for women's empowerment in Afghanistan. WASSA aims to promote women's equal participation in socio-economic sectors of the country. WASSA works directly with communities to bring change in the social attitude of the community regarding women.

An envision “Equal participation of women & men in all sectors of the country.

• Equal Opportunities: WASSA is dedicated to offering equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, or disability.
• Safeguarding and Conduct: WASSA will contact previous employers to inquire about any history of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment during the candidate's employment, including incidents under investigation at the time the candidate left. Job offers are conditional on satisfactory reference checks. By applying, candidates confirm they understand and accept these procedures.
• Final Selection: The selected candidate must pass a background check and reference check. They will also be required to sign WASSA's Code of Conduct, PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), Safeguarding, and other relevant policies before receiving a final job offer/contract 

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1. Strategic Leadership:
• Lead the development of the strategic plan for the overall program at the country level.
• Support the WASSA Director and the Senior Management Team in developing strategic and operational plans.
• Ensure alignment of program priorities, strategies, and plans with the WASSA Strategic Plan.
• Provide leadership to the Program Team to achieve the objectives of the WASSA Strategy.
2. Fundraising and Donor Relationship Management:
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors.
• Lead the development of program ideas into quality grant proposals.
• Identify funding opportunities and write technical and funding proposals.
• Establish/maintain strategic partnerships with selected partners/donors.
3. Program Management and Implementation:
• Ensure quality implementation of all WASSA projects.
• Monitor projects in the field to ensure alignment with the WASSA strategy.
• Provide effective technical assistance to project implementation teams.
• Ensure timely submission of program and project reports to donors and relevant sectorial departments
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning, and Reporting:
• Lead the MEAL team by directly overseeing the MEAL department.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation plans for projects with clear impact indicators.
• Represent WASSA in program-related knowledge-sharing forums.
• Ensure compliance with approved program and project plans.
5. Policy Management and Compliance:
• Lead the development and implementation of WASSA policies in the program section.
• Review and update policies and procedures as necessary in the program section.
• Ensure staff compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
6. Partnerships and Networking:
• Represent WASSA in networks, clusters, and alliances.
• Strengthen network presence in collaboration areas.
• Ensure effective communication with stakeholders, partners, and donors.
7. Financial Management:
• Develop and monitor the Program department's activity and work plan in a way to ensure that it attains its objectives as cost-effectively and efficiently (value for money)
• Review projects budget for donor submission including budget revision.
• Review and approve program/projects financial requests.
• Manage the expenditure and disbursement of resources for projects.
8. Human Resource Management:
• Lead and manage the program team and Project Managers.
• Create an empowering work environment and encourage team productivity.

Participate in core staff recruitment, performance appraisal, and training/capacity building planning and implementation

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a related field is required.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in program management within an NGO, humanitarian, development, or similar organization.
• At least 3 years of experience in a senior program management or leadership position, with responsibility for managing projects, teams, budgets, and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, project implementation, quality assurance, and strategic planning.
• Proven experience in fundraising, proposal development, donor communication, and identifying funding opportunities.
• Experience in managing or overseeing MEAL, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning, and reporting functions.
• Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, donors, government stakeholders, clusters, networks, and other partners is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, including Project Managers and program staff.

Technical & Management Competencies

• Strong knowledge of humanitarian and development program management principles and project cycle management.
• Strong skills in developing and reviewing project proposals, budgets, workplans, indicators, reports, and program strategies.
• Strong financial and resource management skills, including budget review, expenditure monitoring, and ensuring value for money.
• Strong leadership, team management, mentoring, coaching, and staff capacity-building skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, coordination, negotiation, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and representation skills, with the ability to effectively engage donors, partners, government authorities, clusters, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work strategically while maintaining close oversight of project implementation and program quality.

Other Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is highly desirable.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and professional use of email and online collaboration platforms.
• Willingness and ability to undertake regular field visits and travel as required.
• Commitment to WASSA’s values, mission, safeguarding principles, accountability, inclusion, and professional ethics.

• Interested, qualified candidates should submit their information/request through the link (https://airtable.com/appOkhsn1rK1hcdTJ/shrKgZrEd9HKFDPbv)
• Academic certificates or references do not need to be submitted at this time. These will be requested if an interview is called for.
• Only short-listed candidates will be invited for the written test and interview upon project approval.