Head of External Relations - Aga Khan Foundation

Job Opportunities

Position Title: Head of External Relations
Report to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Duty Station: National Program Office - Kabul
Announcing Date: January 12th 2010
Closing Date: January 27th 2010
Vacancy No: KBL/2010/098

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private international, nonprofit, and non-denominational development agency. It seeks sustainable solutions to long term problems of poverty, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal and other resource poor areas across the world. Concentrating its efforts in health, education, rural development and strengthening civil society sectors, AKF’s approach is based on long-term commitment that is maintained through political and social uncertainty.

Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan is part of a dynamic network of development agencies currently operating in over 30 countries across Central and South Asia and East and West Africa. AKF,A currently manages and implements the largest, multi-sectoral development programme within the network and has built a strong reputation with the Government of Afghanistan, donors and local partners in a number of technical fields. At present, it is seeking an exceptional individual to fill the position of *Head of External Relations*for its Program Office Kabul - Afghanistan.

Job Summary:
Cultivate and maintain high quality relations with donors and other external partners while assisting AKF learning processes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide effective supervision, guidance and management to the members of the Grants Coordination team;
• Deepen and broaden relations with donors and other relevant external actors through informed policy dialogue and exploration of major programme issues, articulation of achievements, impacts and lessons learned.
• Provide overall guidance and quality control for the development of proposals and the writing of reports.
• Developing and disseminating effective communications materials on AKDN programmes in Afghanistan.
• Developing a strategic approach to measuring programme outcomes, including establishing performance monitoring indicators and measurement systems.
• Representing AKF in various external meetings and coordinating external relations across the Network
• Provide additional support to the CEO as necessary.
• Responsible for management of the national coordination team as well regional Program Support Officers.
  

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Min. 3 years work experience in communications and team management in the field of international development
• Min. Masters Degree in a relevant field
• Exceptional English writing and editing skills
• Sound understanding of Results-Based Management and the development and measurement of programme-wide outcome indicators.
• High level of motivation and drive
• Ability to self-manage, mentor junior staff and willingness to regularly visit programmes in the regions
  

Applications:
Applicants meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a cover letter along with their CV and the names of three references electronically to Afghanistan@akdn.org
No later than January 27th, 2010 or submit hard copy to AKF, National Program Office House No 43 Street No 13 Main Road Wazir Akbar Khan Kabul Afghanistan.

Only short listed candidates will be invited for an interview.