Deputy Programme Director - CRLP

Job Highlight

This is a unique opportunity to provide senior leadership and oversight to a large-scale, multi-sector programme in a complex and challenging environment. The role offers significant responsibility and the chance to contribute to the resilience and livelihoods of communities across Afghanistan, while working closely with key stakeholders such as the World Bank and UN agencies.

About The Project Office

Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support.

Role Purpose

The Deputy Programme Director reports to the Programme Director and provides senior leadership, oversight, and continuity for the Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project (CRLP). Acting on behalf of the Programme Director as delegated, the DPD supports the effective management and coordination of programme delivery, ensuring alignment across delivery teams, implementation support functions, and governance arrangements.

The role involves close, ongoing coordination with the Rural and Urban Teams, the Programme Implementation Unit (PIU), and the Grants function to support delivery performance, resolve cross-cutting operational issues, and maintain coherence across programme components. The Deputy Programme Director provides direct line management to senior delivery and implementation roles, promoting effective people management, clear escalation pathways, and consistent application of programme priorities.

The Deputy Programme Director contributes to programme governance by supporting risk management, quality assurance, and follow-up to audits, reviews, and management actions, in line with UNOPS policies, donor requirements, and applicable United Nations guidelines. Financial management and fiduciary oversight remain under the responsibility of the Programme Director.

The role also supports stakeholder engagement and coordination with key partners, including the World Bank, UN agencies, and implementing partners, as delegated by the Programme Director. The Deputy Programme Director may represent CRLP in internal and external forums to ensure continuity of engagement, effective coordination, and consistent programme positioning, particularly during periods of transition, scale-up, or leadership absence

Functions / Key Results Expected

Note: Financial management and finance functions remain under the direct oversight of the Programme Director.

Programme Leadership and Deputisation

Act as the Programme Director’s principal deputy, representing and acting on behalf of the PD as delegated.

Assume full leadership responsibility for CRLP during periods of PD absence, ensuring continuity of oversight and decision-making.

Support strategic prioritisation, performance management, and course correction across programme components.

Senior Oversight of Programme Delivery

Provide senior oversight across Rural and Urban delivery portfolios, ensuring alignment with approved legal agreements, implementation plans, budgets, and risk tolerances.

Identify cross-cutting delivery issues, systemic constraints, and interdependencies requiring senior leadership intervention.

Ensure coherence between programme leadership, delivery teams, PIU, and the Grants function.

Personnel Management and Leadership

Provide direct line management to:

Rural Team Lead

Urban Team Lead

Head of Programme Implementation Unit (PIU)

Grants Specialist

Set clear performance expectations and promote mature people management, accountability, and collaboration.

Support succession planning, capacity development, and leadership continuity across senior roles.

Governance, Risk, and Accountability

Support the PD in maintaining robust programme governance and compliance with UNOPS policies and donor requirements.

Oversee follow-up to audits, reviews, and evaluations, ensuring timely implementation of management actions.

Identify, assess, and manage strategic, operational, fiduciary, and safeguarding risks, escalating as required.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

Support and, where delegated, lead engagement with the World Bank and other key stakeholders.

Represent CRLP in internal coordination forums, AFCO leadership mechanisms, and UN inter-agency platforms as delegated.

Strengthen CRLP’s internal and external profile in coordination with the PD.

Programme Planning and Change Management

Support programme planning, amendments, and scale-up activities.

Oversee implementation of approved organisational and structural changes, including those related to grants expansion.

Lead change management initiatives to ensure clarity, stability, and staff engagement during transitions.

Education Requirements

Required

Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent), preferably in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Administration, Management, Engineering, or other relevant discipline with ten (10) years of relevant experience.

OR

University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with twelve (12) years of relevant experience.

Desired

A globally recognized professional certificate (e.g. PRINCE2, PMI, etc) or membership in Project Management.

Required

Experience Requirements

Extensive experience in senior programme or project management roles in complex international contexts.

Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams.

Experience in fragile or conflict-affected environments.

Desired

Experience with World Bank–funded programmes.

Familiarity with UNOPS or UN system procedures.

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