National Industrial Development for Afghanistan (NIDA) is a youth-led, non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 1992. With over 30 years of experience, NIDA has been at the forefront of empowering Afghan communities through education, livelihoods, agriculture, health, and human rights initiatives. NIDA has reached more than 350,000 people across Afghanistan. Its mission is to enhance socio-economic resilience by equipping youth and vulnerable groups especially women with skills, education, and resources, while promoting child protection and human rights.

NIDA has partnered with UN agencies, INGOs, and national stakeholders to implement community-driven projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work (SDG 8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). Its work has included building schools and irrigation systems, advancing sustainable agriculture, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and strengthening governance and social accountability.

Reports to: Program Director / Executive Director
Supervises: Education Specialists, Project Managers, Senior Education Officers, Trainers, and support staff
Contract Type: Fixed-term

Purpose of the Role

The Education Program Head provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and technical oversight for the organization’s education portfolio. The role ensures that education programs are relevant, high-quality, inclusive, and aligned with national priorities and international standards. The Program Head leads on program development, donor engagement, and inter-agency coordination to strengthen access to and quality of education for children and youth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Lead the development and implementation of the organization’s education strategy.

• Identify new opportunities for education programming and contribute to proposal writing and fundraising efforts.

• Ensure alignment of education programs with national education policies and international standards.

Program Management & Oversight

• Provide guidance and supervision to Education Specialists, Project Managers, and senior staff.

• Ensure education projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to quality standards.

• Oversee integration of cross-cutting themes such as gender, child protection, and inclusion.

Technical Guidance & Quality Assurance

• Set standards for curriculum design, teacher training, and learning assessments.

• Promote innovative approaches, including the use of technology in education.

• Monitor and evaluate program impact to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Coordination & Representation

• Represent the organization in education sector working groups, government meetings, and donor forums.

• Build and maintain partnerships with government bodies, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Advocate for access to safe, quality, and inclusive education for marginalized groups, including girls and children with disabilities.

Capacity Building & Staff Development

• Mentor and build the capacity of education staff across projects.

• Facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, and internal learning sessions.

• Promote professional growth and career development opportunities for education teams.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Ensure robust monitoring systems are in place for all education projects.

• Review and approve donor and organizational reports, ensuring accuracy and quality.

• Track progress against strategic objectives and provide regular updates to senior management.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field.

• At least 7–10 years of progressive experience in education program management, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.

• Demonstrated experience in strategy development, program design, and proposal writing.

• Strong knowledge of inclusive education, education in emergencies, and child protection.

• Proven ability to manage large, multi-donor programs and diverse teams.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with government, donors, and partners.

• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto; strong English (written and spoken) required.

Competencies & Skills

• Strategic thinking and leadership ability.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work effectively in complex and sensitive environments.

• High integrity and commitment to humanitarian and safeguarding principles.

• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

Kindly submit your CV, educational certificates, and NID, and write the vacancy number, position name, and your name in the subject of the email

Note: Application with out Vacancy Number will not be considered for Short-listing.