Afghanistan Mission Development Manager
Position: Afghanistan Mission Development Manager
Reporting Relationship: Head of International Programmes Department
Location: Kabul, with frequent travels to Herat and other locations
Deadline: 16/07/2026
Starting date: 15/09/2026
Family Duty Station: NO
R&R: YES
Contract Type: Expatriate (International)
Working context:
Afghanistan continues to face one of the most severe and complex humanitarian crises in the world. The country is characterized by protracted conflict, extreme poverty, widespread displacement and significant restrictions on access and operations. Decades of instability have left millions without access to basic services, with women and children disproportionately affected. According to the latest Humanitarian Needs Overview, over 23 million people require humanitarian assistance, while recurring natural disasters, food insecurity and the collapse of essential public services further compound an already fragile situation.
WeWorld is committed to rebuilding and growing its Afghanistan programmes during a pivotal transition period. The organisation currently has a new ECHO-funded programme expected to start in October 2026 and is actively developing its funding pipeline. This post is critical to ensuring programme start-up readiness, building donor relationships and establishing a sustainable operational presence in the country.
Purpose of the Role:
The Afghanistan Mission Development Manager will support WeWorld in strengthening and expanding its presence in Afghanistan during a critical phase of mission development and growth.
Reporting to the Head of International Programmes Department, the role combines programme development, donor engagement, and operational start-up support. The post holder will contribute to the definition of WeWorld’s future positioning in the country, strengthening relationships with donors and partners, identifying funding opportunities and leading the development of project proposals.
The position will play a key role in supporting the launch of new programmes, including the anticipated ECHO-funded intervention, while contributing to the design of a sustainable operational model for the mission. The role requires a high degree of autonomy and initiative, combining strategic vision with hands-on delivery in a context where structures and systems are still being consolidated.
An informed, strong and steady commitment to the mission objectives and duration is essential.
Main tasks and ResponsIbilities:
Strategy, Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation:
• Contributes to the definition and periodic review of WeWorld strategy in Afghanistan in coordination with the Head of International Programmes Department
• Identifies funding opportunities and supports the positioning of WeWorld with institutional donors, UN agencies, foundations and other relevant stakeholders
• Strengthens relationships with donors, coordination platforms, diplomatic actors, local authorities and partners
• Supports the development of strategic partnerships, consortiums and collaboration agreements
• Identifies and analyses donor trends, funding opportunities and related risks, and leads the development of concept notes and project proposals, coordinating contributions from HQ departments, technical advisors and partners and ensuring the production of high-quality narratives, logical frameworks, workplans and supporting documentation
• Design and monitor Mission and portfolio budget in coordination with the Regional Finance Manager ensuring compliance with donor requirements and internal quality standards
Programmes Start-Up Implementation:
• Lead in-country preparation for the new ECHO programme expected to start in October 2026
• Coordinates with relevant HQ departments to ensure operational implementation, including HR, logistics, finance, compliance and security
• Supports recruitment and onboarding processes for key mission positions when required
• Contributes to the development of start-up plans, implementation tools and coordination mechanisms
• Liaises with donors, partners and relevant stakeholders to facilitate programme implementation
Mission Set-Up and Development:
• In Coordination with HQ, lead to the definition of the future operational model of the Afghanistan mission
• Assesses staffing, partnership, compliance and operational needs required to support sustainable growth.
• Provides operational options to the Head of International Programmes Department regarding mission expansion and investment priorities
• Supports the transition from a limited operational footprint towards a more structured and sustainable presence, subject to funding availability
Risk, Access and Contextual Analysis:
• Responsible for the implementation of the security plan in Afghanistan
• Ensure that all staff comply with WeWorld’s security procedures and SOPs
• Provide updates to the Head of International Programmes Department regarding contextual risks and mitigation measures
• Provide regular analysis to the Global Security Advisor
The duties and responsibilities set forth above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to perform additional duties requested by the Line Manager.
Provide a proper handover before the end of the assignment.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications and Knowledge:
• An advanced university degree or equivalent in the field of Social or Political Science, Development Studies, International Relations, Project Management or Human Rights
• Strong knowledge of institutional donors’ policies and procedures (ECHO, DEVCO, OCHA, UNICEF, bilateral donors)
• Good knowledge of MS Office
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal - Excellent written English
Professional experience:
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant working experience in related fields
• Working experience with international NGOs in programme development, grants, partnerships, business development or fundraising in the humanitarian/development sector
• Demonstrated experience writing successful donor proposals, including full narratives, concept notes, logframes and workplans
• Experience developing proposals with limited resources and without a large grants team
• Experience supporting programme start-up, mission development and growth
• Experience in Afghanistan or comparable complex operating environments
• Strong understanding of NGO operations, including programme, finance, compliance, partnerships and risk management
Skills and Abilities:
• Very strong proposal-writing skills, with ability to personally produce donor-ready documents
• Strong networking, diplomacy and relationship-building skills
• Ability to turn donor conversations into concrete funding opportunities
• Practical understanding of programme start-up and operational readiness
• Ability to work independently with limited support
• Strong judgement, political sensitivity and contextual awareness
• Comfortable switching between strategic positioning and hands-on delivery
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Strong commitment to the Mission of WeWorld, genuine interest for international cooperation development topics
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:
• Experience in Education and WASH programmes
• Previous Experience in scaling up missions
• Fluent in Italian, both written and oral
WHAT WE OFFER:
Type of contract: a first 6 (six) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the line manager upon arrival on assignment) with possibility of extension based on funds availability
Economic conditions according to WeWorld Expatriates Compensation Policy: Base Salary (3.498€ - 4.098€) + Contributions reflecting role complexity and hardship level of the duty station
Accommodation: WeWorld Guesthouse, shared with other organisations. Compound with garden, approximately 7 expatriates on site
Annual leave: 2,5 days/month (working days)
Flight ticket: One round-trip air ticket (A/R) every 12 months of service
Health insurance: covered
R&R Policy: 5 days every 8 weeks, allowance of 1.000€ is provided
How to apply:
Please send Cover Letter and CV at: https://weworld.intervieweb.it/jobs/afghanistan-mission-development-manager-712501/it/
The recruitment process may be closed early if a suitable candidate is found. Due to the large number of applications, we apologise in advance and will only respond to those profiles deemed suitable for the role.