Deputy Programme Director

Position Title: Deputy Programme Director - CRLP

2026-03-16 Kabul Full Time 18

Job Location:	Kabul
Nationality:	International
Category:	Program
Employment Type:	Full Time
Salary:
Vacancy Number:	VA No. 2223
No. Of Jobs:	1
City:	Kabul

Organization:	UNOPS
Years of Experience:	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.
Contract Duration:	Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Gender:	Male/Female
Education:	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 Degr
Close date:	2026-03-16

About UNOPS:

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Job Descriptions:

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Requirements:

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

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

Submission Guidelines:

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/2223