SENIOR DIRECTOR PROGRAMS - AFGHANISTAN

 Lead Strategy. Deliver Impact. Shape the Future.

CARE is seeking an exceptional Senior Director – Programs to provide strategic leadership for one of our most complex and impactful country portfolios.

This is a career-defining opportunity for a visionary humanitarian and development leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about delivering sustainable impact at scale. You will shape CARE Afghanistan's strategic direction, lead a diverse portfolio of humanitarian and development programs, drive resource mobilization, build high-impact partnerships, and inspire multidisciplinary teams to deliver transformative results for vulnerable communities.

As a key member of the Country Leadership Team, you will help define the future of CARE's work in Afghanistan while strengthening our position as a trusted partner to donors, government, the UN, civil society, and local communities.

About the Role

Reporting to the Country Director, the Senior Director – Programs provides strategic oversight of CARE Afghanistan's entire program portfolio, ensuring that programs are innovative, evidence-driven, well-resourced, and deliver measurable impact.

You will lead the development and execution of the country program strategy, oversee quality implementation across humanitarian and development programming, champion business development, strengthen donor relationships, and foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.

This role works closely with the Program Quality and Strategic Partnership Director to ensure programs meet the highest standards of technical quality, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning while retaining overall accountability for program strategy, delivery, growth, and leadership.

What You Will Do

Provide Strategic Leadership

• Shape and lead CARE Afghanistan's program strategy in alignment with the Country Strategy and CARE's global priorities.

• Drive strategic thinking that balances humanitarian response with long-term development programming.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Country Director and an influential member of the Country Leadership Team.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of program leaders and technical specialists, creating an environment where innovation, collaboration, and accountability thrive.

• Act as Country Director when required.

Deliver High-Quality Programs

• Ensure the successful delivery of a complex multi-sector portfolio that is timely, compliant, impactful, and financially sound.

• Oversee program performance, budgeting, donor compliance, and risk management.

• Strengthen coordination across programs, operations, finance, and support functions to maximize impact.

• Identify implementation challenges early and drive practical solutions that improve delivery and performance.

Drive Growth and Resource Mobilization

• Lead CARE Afghanistan's fundraising and business development strategy.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with institutional donors, government partners, UN agencies, foundations, and NGOs.

• Oversee the development of competitive, high-quality proposals and concept notes that respond to emerging needs and donor priorities.

• Position CARE as a leading humanitarian and development actor in Afghanistan.

Build Strategic Partnerships and Influence

• Represent CARE at senior-level coordination forums, humanitarian clusters, donor meetings, and government engagements.

• Strengthen partnerships with national organizations, civil society, and international actors.

• Use program evidence to inform advocacy priorities and influence policies that improve outcomes for vulnerable communities.

• Enhance CARE's visibility and reputation through strategic engagement and thought leadership.

Strengthen Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure strong compliance with donor, legal, contractual, and organizational requirements.

• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, safeguarding, and ethical leadership.

• Strengthen internal controls and organizational risk management while supporting emergency preparedness and response.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a strategic and inspirational leader with a proven ability to manage large, complex humanitarian and development portfolios while building strong partnerships and leading diverse teams through challenging contexts.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience managing large-scale humanitarian and development programs in complex or fragile environments.

• Demonstrated success developing country strategies and leading multi-sector program portfolios.

• Strong business development credentials with a track record of securing funding from institutional donors.

• Experience leading proposal development, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships.

• Exceptional people leadership skills, with experience coaching and developing high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong financial management and program oversight capabilities, including budgeting, compliance, and risk management.

• Experience engaging with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and donor representatives at senior levels.

• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to inspire others and navigate complexity with confidence.

• A strong commitment to gender equality, safeguarding, accountability, and locally led development.

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