General Information

Position Title
Deputy Programme Director - CRLP
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
Kabul
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 12
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 4
Posting Start Date
23-Feb-2026
Posting End Date
16-Mar-2026
Duration
Ongoing

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 Region

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

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.

Job Specific Context

The Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project (CRLP) is a large-scale, multi-sector programme implemented by UNOPS under the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO), funded by the World Bank. The project delivers small-scale infrastructure, livelihoods, and resilience interventions across urban and rural areas, operating in a complex, high-risk environment. 


CRLP is entering a subsequent programme phase, including a transition to a grants-based modality for rural delivery. In recognition of the scale and complexity of the programme, senior leadership capacity is being strengthened to provide continuity during periods of leave and transition, and clearer separation between strategic leadership and operational delivery. 


The Deputy Programme Director (DPD) reports directly to the Programme Director (PD) and acts as the PD’s principal deputy.

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.


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

5. 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.

6. 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.

Skills

Change Management, Conflict Resolution, Program Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

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.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • 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.

Language Requirements

Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.