Country Director - Afghanistan

Job Description

Location
Kabul, with some travel to other locations in Afghanistan and the region.

Duration
Up to 31 March 2012, with possibility of extension

Organizational Overview: Peace Dividend Trust (PDT) is a non-profit social

enterprise that tests and scales new ideas that improve the impact and
efficiency of aid and peacekeeping. Operating in Timor-Leste, Haiti and
Afghanistan, with plans to expand into Liberia, PDT has redirected over $650
million in international spending into these local economies and created the
first ever mission start-up guide for the launch of new U.N. peacekeeping
operations. In 2010, the Skoll Foundation recognized PDT as one of a
handful of social enterprises affecting measurable and sustainable change in
the developing world. U.S. President Obama awarded the organization the
G20 SME Finance Challenge prize at the annual heads of state gathering in
Seoul, Korea in November 2010. For more information, please
visit www.peacedividendtrust.org

Afghanistan Context
In Afghanistan, PDT runs the Peace Dividend Marketplace
(www.buildingmarkets.org). The objective of the Marketplace is to redirect as
many aid dollars into the local economy as possible to create jobs, develop
economic capacity and contribute to long-term stability. To accomplish this
objective PDT provides a set of services to Afghan businesses, associations
and international buyers that help facilitate procurement of local goods and
services wherever possible. Since its launch in 2006, the Marketplace
project has facilitated over $600 million worth of business into Afghanistan's
economy.

Position Overview: PDT is seeking an entrepreneurial Country Director

(CD) who will not only continue to build on PDT’s successes, but will also
guide the transition of relevant Marketplace activities to Afghan owned and
operated organizations. The CD will have the support of an experienced
national and expat staff, as well as that of high level subject matter experts in
HQ, and will have successfully led large missions in Afghanistan or similar
operating environments. S/he will also have a successful record in building
productive relationships with donor representatives. Bringing a strong
alignment with the mission and values of PDT, the CD will promote an
entrepreneurial and results-driven environment, be flexible to changing needs
and contribute strategically to PDT’s overall mission.

Responsibilities and Duties

The CD is responsible for all aspects of PDT’s work in Afghanistan, including:

Strategic Leadership
· Implement country strategy, while adjusting to emerging
trends
· Identify development opportunities
· Oversee needs assessments, evaluations, monitoring visits
· Contribute to strategic planning
· Implement transition and change management strategies
· Provide guidance on substantive issues including: achieving
results, private sector development, procurement, SME
business development, market research and training

Representation
· Represent PDT and coordinate appropriately with the
Government of Afghanistan, donor agencies, partner
organizations, military organizations, and other international
stakeholders
· Delegate representation appropriately, based on activity
streams
· Ensure coordination with stakeholders on issues of relevance
to country program
· Regularly visit field offices

Staff Management
· Ensure line management of staff
· Continue implementation and improvement of internal HR
systems
 · Recruit national staff directly, recruit international staff in
coordination with HQ
· Provide capacity building opportunities
· Manage performance appraisals

Finance Management
· Coordinate budget planning with HQ
· Oversee and be responsible for financial reporting from
country office

Communications and Reporting

· Ensure tracking of activities and contribute to donor reporting
· Ensure effective internal communications with project team
· Maintain regular phone calls and correspondence with HQ
· Ensure implementation of communications strategy

Security Management
· Responsible for safety and security of all staff, based on
security risk assessment and training program

Qualifications
· University education or substantial equivalent in professional
experience
· Minimum 5 years field experience, preferably in Afghanistan or similar
operating environment
· Ability to engage in civil-military relations
· Demonstrable experience in organizational representation
· Experience in budget management
· Experience in security management
· Experience in successfully leading and managing a team of national
and international staff
· Experience working on projects funded by public and large private
donors
 · Willingness to learn basic Dari and/or Pashto

Reporting

Reports to Projects Director at PDT headquarters.

Package
Competitive salary, in-country adjustment, and benefits.

Application
If you have the talents to lead an award winning organization into the its next
phase, to build PDT’s reputation for changing the way aid works, send your
CV and an cover letter, clearly explaining how you would meet these
qualifications to: vacancies@peacedividendtrust.org.
Only applicants being considered for an interview will be contacted. To learn
more about our activities see: http://www.facebook.com/peacedividendtrust

Thank you for your interest in Peace Dividend Trust