Executive Director (Kabul, Afghanistan)

Role of the Executive Director:

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for all aspects of AICS’s functioning so that AICS is a lead player in designing and implementing programs and projects aimed at strengthening the civil society sector in Afghanistan. S/he will lead a team of about 30 people, including 5-7 direct reports. The ED plays a strategic role in setting organizational direction and fostering strong relationships with civil society actors and international organizations whose values align with AICS’ agenda. S/he ensures that AICS remains financially robust and that critical operational infrastructure is in place and operating effectively, efficiently and transparently. A key role will be to secure long-term sustainable funding for AICS. S/he will work with, and be accountable to, AICS’s Board of Directors (BoD) in this endeavor.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Organizational Planning and Management: Ensure that AICS’s objectives are clear internally and externally and are being met efficiently, effectively, transparently, and sustainably by: Coordinating with and actively engaging with the Board of Directors, effectively enabling them to play their roles in oversight, direction-setting, representation, and asset mobilization Leading the development and implementation of organizational policies and management activities, including through direct supervision of senior and other relevant personnel Leading development, implementation, review and reporting of strategic and annual plans, including associated budgets Oversight of planning/budgeting. implementation and quality assurance for programs and projects including AICS’s flagship certification program and its research and policy initiative Ensuring that all reporting requirements of AICS’s stakeholders are met, including those of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and key donors and partners (e.g. AKF, WHH, USAID, EU, Oxfam, GIZ)

Administration:

Ensure effective internal administration and operations, and thus smooth functioning of AICS’s activities, through oversight of all organizational operations including in the areas of finance, human resources, and administration. This includes:

• Oversight and enhancement of AICS’s financial management systems and processes to ensure proactive budget planning, donor compliance, transparency and cost-effectiveness Ensure timely and quality financial reporting to donors, government and AICS Board of Directors Overseeing the performance of key AICS staff Play key role in committee governing AICS investment fund Ensuring financial audits are completed in a timely manner Developing and implementing other administrative policies and systems as required

Technical leadership:

Ensure technical excellence in AICS’s programming and impacts including by:    

• Providing guidance and support at a high level in AICS’s programmatic areas to ensure they are effective and linked to AICS’ overall strategy Staying informed of global best practices around strengthening civil society and contextualizing these for implementation in Afghanistan Leading AICS’ policy dialogue efforts in collaboration with civil society, international NGOs/donors, and the government

​Representation and asset mobilization:

• Represent AICS externally in order to advance the programmatic goals, enhance AICS’s profile, attract supporters and users of its services, and improve the sustainability of the organization, including by Leading the development and implementation of creative asset mobilization/fundraising/business development strategies, including enabling the Board of Directors to participate actively in same Proactively building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including local and national CSOs and CSO networks, international NGOs, key donor organizations and funding partners, the Government of Afghanistan, and the private sector Actively developing and pursuing funding, partnership and leverage opportunities, including by facilitating the development of concept notes and proposals Representing AICS in national and international forums, or ensuring that appropriate technical staff or other representatives and advocates (e.g. members of Board of Directors; AKF personnel) are able and prepared to do so Overseeing strategic communications for AICS including dissemination and promotion of AICS research reports, policy briefs, and promotion of programs

Reporting Line:

The AICS Executive Director reports to AICS’s Board of Directors.

Background:

The Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society (AICS) registered with the Ministry of Economy (MoEc) as an NGO in 2014 and was officially launched in February 2015 with a long-term goal of supporting civil society to realize its potential in supporting development efforts in Afghanistan. The new Executive Director will be the organization’s third. The role will be critical to ensuring the programmatic and organizational success of a high-profile organization unique in and important to Afghanistan’s civil society. AICS is a concept that has been incubating for several years amongst Afghanistan’s civil society community.   In 2007, the Enabling Environment conference convened by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Aga Khan Development Network, in partnership with the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program and the Asian Development Bank recommended formation of an independent certification body for civil society organizations. In 2010, a working group comprised of INGOs, donors, and civil society networks developed the vision, mission and strategic objectives of the Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society. Finally, in February 2015, AICS was formally inaugurated in a ceremony attended by senior government officials, donors, and representatives of the civil society organizations

Strategic Priorities:

Certification: Improve CSO credibility through certification against local and international standards Policy engagement: Facilitate policy dialogue and engagement with stakeholders Knowledge & Learning: Strengthen CSOs through the collection, analysis and sharing of information and learning Self-Reliance: Diversify and strengthen civil society funding bases

Vision: A credible Afghan Civil Society:

Mission: Empowering Afghan Civil Society through engagement, partnerships and organizational strengthening

Core values:

Integrity: AICS is committed to maintaining integrity and professional behavior while conducting its operations. It employs the highest ethical standards and demonstrates honesty and fairness in pursuit of its mission. Excellence: AICS promotes a culture of unequivocal excellence and is dedicated to delivering high quality services, while responding resourcefully to the fast-changing needs of CSOs in the country. Collaboration: Recognizing that effective, responsive and accountable CSOs require 
inputs of all stakeholders, AICS will share the learning generated from the participation of civil society with them. AICS is committed to inspiring dialogue from the bottom up, promoting consultations, building consensus and facilitating convergence, forging partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders in participatory governance. Diversity: Recognizing that pluralism is an integral part of Afghan society, AICS will respect the diversity of the people in fulfilling its mission. AICS is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all and to respect differences in all forms. Responsiveness: Recognizing the scale and scope of the challenges facing civil society organizations, AICS acknowledges the requirement to be innovative in its responses. It is committed to acting as a catalyst that brings stakeholders together to generate creative and innovative solutions and to promote thoughtful analysis and learning. 

To apply

All interested afghan national qualified candidates are requested to submit their application including your (cover letter & update CV) to jobs@aicsafg.org no later than 4 p.m. Kabul time on Thursday, 19 November 2020.

Submission Email
jobs@aicsafg.org