We invest in women in 12 conflict-affected countries around the world as they rebuild their lives. We invest where inequality is the greatest by helping women who are forgotten— the women survivors of war and conflict. We help them learn the skills they need to rebuild their families and communities, and to transform their lives. The women in our direct delivery programs engage in community cohorts who learn to save, build businesses, understand their rights, improve their health, and participate towards transformation for themselves, their families, and communities. For 30 years, Women for Women International has used an integrated approach to innovate; we are a learning organization that listens to data, our country teams, and women themselves to constantly evolve and improve the way we work. 

Since 2002, we have operated in five provinces of Afghanistan, providing a bundled economic inclusion and livelihoods program to support women in vulnerable households to learn vital skills to earn and save income, improve household food security and strengthen decision-making, resilience, and health and wellbeing. Participants of our program receive business skills and vocational training for market-driven small enterprises such as poultry farming, mushroom cultivation, animal husbandry, tailoring and knitting, etc. Participants are supported to establish self-help groups for savings, and learn to invest in their businesses as they receive cash transfers, while also learning vital skills about climate resilience, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, and nutrition for the family.  WfWI programming includes men’s engagement, where male family members and community leaders are engaged as allies and key supporters.

WfWI also support grassroots and local organizations, led by women community leaders, to gain access to resources and capacity-strengthening that improves their ability to respond to their organization and their community’s self-identified priorities. Globally, WfWI advocates to ensure that women’s participation, voice, and leadership are central to peacebuilding. Through listening to women, we build the evidence base to engage decision-makers at every level in a transformative effort to sustain an enabling environment for women in conflict-affected contexts. 

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Operations Manager serves as the senior in-country operational leader responsible for overseeing the country office operational platform as a whole, supporting the day-to-day functioning of the country office and maintaining a stable and effective operating platform for program delivery. The role works closely with the Country Director and the Kabul-based team to provide leadership and strategic oversight across core operational functions, strengthen coordination, improve operational systems, and ensure continuity of operations in a complex and evolving environment.

The position focuses on enabling safe and efficient operations through integrated oversight across Finance, People, Culture and Capability (PCC)/HR operations, Procurement and Logistics, Administration, Office Management, Safety, and Access coordination, supporting compliance with organizational policies, and contributing to a well-managed and risk-aware operating environment. The role also works collaboratively with existing teams to build capacity, reinforce accountability, and support sustainable in-country ownership of operational processes.

Key Responsibilities

Engagement/ Delivery

1) In-Country Operational Leadership and Office Management

• Provide overall leadership and oversight across in-country operational functions, including Finance, Logistics and Procurement People, Culture and Capability (PCC)/HR and Administration, and Office management, ensuring efficient and effective operations.

• Ensure coherence, alignment, and performance across all operational functions, identifying gaps, setting priorities, and driving improvements where needed.

• Establish and maintain a structured operating rhythm across functions, including planning, issue tracking, and proactive escalation and resolution of operational risks to the Country Director. 

• Work closely with the Kabul-based team and sub-national Operations teams to strengthen coordination, clarify roles and responsibilities, and reinforce professional standards in line with WfWI policies and procedures and operational needs.

• Provide leadership support to functional leads, ensuring clarity of roles, accountability, and alignment with country office priorities.

• Support the effective functioning of core operational systems, including budgeting processes, staffing structures, and workforce planning, in coordination with relevant teams.

• Ensure operational functions are integrated, efficient, and mutually reinforcing in support of program delivery

2)  Stakeholder Engagement and Operational Compliance

• Oversee and guide risk-aware engagement with relevant stakeholders to enable lawful operations and program access, in coordination with the Country Director.

• Monitor and support compliance with operational requirements, ensuring that necessary documentation and processes are maintained in line with organizational policies.

• Contribute to maintaining accurate records and tracking of operational requirements, supporting timely follow-up and internal coordination.

• Work closely with internal teams to ensure consistent and aligned approaches to external engagement and operational compliance.

3) Risk Management and Duty of Care

• Oversee the implementation of risk-aware operational practices across all functions, including safety, access considerations, and continuity planning.

• Contribute to context monitoring, incident awareness, and mitigation planning in coordination with relevant teams.

• Ensure that operational decisions consider duty of care for staff and participants, with appropriate escalation of higher-risk issues.

• As a key leader on SMT, reinforce respectful workplace norms, safeguarding standards, and professional conduct, and escalate concerns promptly and appropriately through established channels.

• Support team development and capacity building to strengthen sustainable in-country ownership of operational functions

4) Logistics and Procurement

• Oversee logistics and procurement functions as key components of the broader operational platform, ensuring alignment with organizational policy, procedures and proper documentation.

• Support effective resource management, including vendor coordination, asset management, and operational planning.

• Maintain organized and audit-ready documentation and support internal reviews or spot checks as required including preparation of supporting files and follow-up action plans.

Other Responsibilities

All our staff are required to adhere to WfWI’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding, Anti-Fraud and Corruption, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) policies. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in operations management within NGO, INGO, UN, or similar environments, including substantial experience in Afghanistan.

• Master’s Degree in related field, or Bachelor’s degree with 10-12 years of relevant work experience.

• Proven experience leading and overseeing multi-functional operations at a senior level, including Administration, Logistics, Procurement, Finance, and HR/PCC functions, safety and access, in complex and high-risk contexts.

• Demonstrated experience working within challenging regulatory environments, with the ability to navigate operational requirements while ensuring compliance with organizational policies.

• Strong understanding of operational controls, documentation standards, and risk management practices.

• Proven ability to lead and coordinate teams effectively under pressure, with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• High level of integrity, with a demonstrated ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.

• Excellent communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto (spoken and written) is required; professional working proficiency in English is essential.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting operational setup, transitions, or restructuring in complex or evolving environments.

• Experience working in sensitive or highly regulated contexts, with an understanding of risk-aware operational approaches.

• Demonstrated experience in strengthening systems, building team capacity, and improving operational efficiency.

• Familiarity with humanitarian and development sector standards, including compliance, audit readiness, and due diligence practices.

Core Competencies

• Operational Leadership: Ability to lead, oversee, and integrate multiple operational functions at a country level, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and alignment with organizational priorities.

• Risk Management and Judgment: Strong ability to assess risks, apply sound judgment, and make timely, well-informed decisions in complex and high-pressure environments.

• Stakeholder Coordination: Effective at building and maintaining professional relationships, ensuring clear communication and alignment across internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Planning and Execution: Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver tasks systematically, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.

• Integrity and Confidentiality: High level of professionalism, with the ability to handle sensitive information responsibly and maintain strict confidentiality.

• Team Collaboration and Capacity Building: Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, support professional development, and strengthen team performance over time.

• Communication Skills: Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information in a structured and practical manner.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct

Women for Women International (WfWI) is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace. The postholder is required to uphold all organizational safeguarding policies, including protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and to promote a culture of accountability and respect.

The role requires strict adherence to the Code of Conduct, including the timely reporting of any safeguarding concerns or violations through established organizational mechanisms. Failure to comply with these standards may result in disciplinary action.

Working Conditions

• The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and requires in-country presence. Travel to field locations will be required based on operational needs and security considerations.

• The role operates in a complex, high-risk, and evolving environment, requiring flexibility, resilience, and the ability to respond to changing priorities.

• The postholder may be required to work outside standard working hours to address urgent operational needs or emerging issues.

Thank you for your interest in this position. Please follow the instructions below to ensure your application is considered:

1. Application Process
Please submit your updated CV and cover letter to:
📧 afghanistanjobs@womenforwomen.org

2. Email Subject Line
Please clearly mention the Job Title and Vacancy Number in the subject line of your email.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team.