Job offer
DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR – PROGRAMMES – AFGHANISTAN
Published on 15 Dec. 2025, Updated on 16 Dec. 2025
- Fixed Term Contract
- 12 months
- As soon as possible
Our work environment
Action Against Hunger is well known for its expertise in Nutrition and Health. It started working in Afghanistan in 1995. Its very first mission, has seen a strong focus on emergency responses, targeting primarily refugees, Internally Displaced people, and flood/drought affected populations. Integrated projects in Nutrition and Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security and Livelihoods, and in Mental Health and Care Practices are implemented . Our work with local partners is essential to gain access to more geographical areas.
The recent political development that followed a period of drought and heavy fighting has plunged the country into an even more profound crisis in the economic aspect, including the shutdown of the financial institutions, the suspension of international structural funding, and fears of food shortage and higher inflation.
In 2023, two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population was expected to need urgent humanitarian assistance to survive as the country enters its third consecutive year of drought-like conditions and the second year of crippling economic decline while still reeling from the effects of 40 years of conflict and recurrent natural disasters. The mission employs 880 staff in five operational bases : Kabul, Helmand, Ghor, Daikundi, and Badakhshan. ACF teams address the underlying conditions leading to deadly malnutrition and food insecurity and provide access to basic health services.
Your position and responsibilities
You will ensure the overall management of the Technical Heads of Departments and provide support to the Country Director.
In this context, your missions will be to :
- Coordinate technical country strategy and ensure operational management of all technical areas (Management of Program and MEAL Heads of Departments, Grants Coordinators...)
- Represent and liaise for program strategy and align programs with donors, national priorities and UN (HRNP)
- Analyze the humanitarian needs through technical departments and country coordination architecture like Clusters
- Manage Human Resources
- Follow-up on management of program budgets
- Ensure programmatic quality and strategic leadership
- Act as Country Director in his·her absence
Your profile
You hold a Master’s degree (or a Bachelor’s degree combined with substantial international and field experience), in International Relations, Development Studies, Public Health, or another technical discipline relevant to ACF’s programs.
You have at least 5 years of experience in a similar position, including proven success in proposal development, in insecure settings, and ideally with international NGOs. You have a strong background in health, and ideally experiences as Field Coordinator or Head of Department.
A previous experience with ACF is a great asset.
With project and human resource management skills, strong multitasking abilities, you have the capacity to manage stress in high-pressure environments, lead, train, and motivate multicultural teams.
You have advanced knowledge of donor guidelines and procedures (ECHO, UN donors, FCDO, etc.) and you are particularly skilled in diplomatic, negotiation, and communication.
You speak and write English fluently, with strong drafting abilities.
Your employment conditions
National applications : 12-month contract according to the internal and national salary conditions of ACF in Afghanistan
International applications :
- Fixed term contract under French legislation: 12 months
- Monthly gross salary from 2899 to 3376€ upon experience, including 13th month
- Reimbursement of the pension insurance for non-French citizens: 16% of the gross monthly salary
- Annual salary increase: 6% increase after and each 12 months of continuous contract
- Monthly per diem and living allowance: 681€ net, field paid
- Monthly country allowance: 450€
- Cold allowance: Reimbursement for the purchase of winter equipment for a maximum of 380€ per person per year in severe cold contexts
- Child allowance: 1500€ per year per child present in the country of origin (maximum 6000€/year)
- Transportation and accommodation: Coverage of transportation costs and guest house
- Medical coverage: ACF covers 100% of the health and repatriation insurance agreement fees, for your medical expenses, and up to 1 month after the end of your contract.
- Salary sustainment measures (sickness, paternity, maternity)
- Leaves and RnR: 25 days of paid leaves per year, 20 RnR per year, airfare reimbursement with a ceiling to get to the chosen break destination, and 215 € for each RnR period
- Accompaniment and trainings:
- Follow-up and support for career development
- Free and unlimited access to the e-learning platform Talentsoft
- Field trips : Ghor, Daikundi, Badakhsan, Helmand
Why join us?
Kabul base hosts the coordination office in charge of implementing water, sanitation and hygiene and nutrition projects aiming to reduce acute malnutrition in the Kabul Informal Settlements and in one TFU. There are 162 national employees and 13 expat in Kabul, a well-equipped guesthouse for expats, a coordination office and warehouse located separately.
Working in Afghanistan is both a deeply meaningful and uniquely complex experience. We are seeking someone who not only brings strong technical expertise—particularly in health, which represents the majority of our programming—but also the strategic vision to help shape and implement our evolving country strategy. This role requires a leader who is ready to support change, navigate the humanitarian-development nexus in a complex environment, and adapt to a shifting context marked by both acute emergencies and long-term structural needs. A strong commitment to working with local partners and advancing localization is essential, as we aim to strengthen community ownership and sustainability of our interventions. We value openness, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you are passionate about principled humanitarian action, motivated to lead with empathy, and eager to contribute to impactful, community-centered programming, we would be delighted to consider your application. We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to ACF Afghanistan.
