Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative
Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative

Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative

London Full-Time 28000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Malala Fund

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Coordinate and manage project delivery to enhance Afghan girls' access to education.
  • Company: Join Malala Fund, advocating for girls' education and equality worldwide.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work environment with opportunities for impactful advocacy.
  • Why this job: Make a difference in the lives of Afghan girls while developing your project management skills.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in project coordination, strong knowledge of Afghanistan's context, and excellent communication skills required.
  • Other info: Malala Fund values diversity and is committed to creating a safe work environment.

The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.

Join to apply for the Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative role at Malala Fund

Join to apply for the Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative role at Malala Fund

Registered in the U.K., U.S. Nigeria, and Pakistan, Malala Fund is working toward a world where all girls can learn and lead. Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education. The girls we serve have high goals for themselves and we have high expectations for leaders who can help them. We invest in local education leaders and front-line organizations, the people who best understand girls in their communities in regions where most girls are missing out on secondary school. We give girls the tools they need to advocate for education and equality in their communities and a platform for the world to hear their voices. We believe girls should speak for themselves and tell leaders what they need to learn and achieve their potential.

About The Position

The Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative (Right to Education), will coordinate and manage project delivery across Malala Fund’s efforts to advance Afghan girls’ access to education and respond to the ongoing gender apartheid. This includes supporting advocacy planning and execution, managing partner and stakeholder relationships, delivering strategic convenings, and contributing to research and public engagement efforts.

This is a delivery-focused role for a proactive, detail-oriented individual with strong project management capabilities, understanding of international advocacy, and deep familiarity with the Afghan context. The post holder will be expected to manage workstreams independently, ensure high-quality delivery of outputs, and identify opportunities to improve coordination across partners and Malala Fund teams.

Location: London, UK/Hybrid – 1 year term

Responsibilities

Project Management and Delivery

  • Lead coordination and implementation of activities under the Afghanistan Initiative, including high-level delegation visits, legal roundtables, strategy meetings, and public events.
  • Manage timelines, deliverables, and budgets across advocacy, policy, and legal accountability workstreams to ensure alignment with initiative goals and organisational strategy.
  • Support the Senior Director in driving the overall delivery of the Afghanistan Initiative, including coordinating internal processes, tracking key activities, and facilitating cross-team collaboration.
  • Convene and manage the Afghanistan Initiative Working Group, ensuring internal alignment on priorities, strategy, and actions across policy, legal, communications, and programme teams.
  • Provide logistical and administrative support for convenings, legal and policy meetings, and coalition-building efforts, ensuring smooth implementation and timely follow-up.
  • Maintain project management systems and tools to track outputs, risks, milestones, and impact across the initiative.
  • Support budget tracking and liaise with operations colleagues on contracts, grant deliverables, and procurement needs related to the initiative.
  • Facilitate coordination between internal teams and external partners to deliver integrated, high-impact advocacy and accountability interventions.

Advocacy and Research Support

  • Contribute to the preparation of targeted advocacy materials (e.g. talking points, policy memos, internal analysis).
  • Conduct desk research and media scans on relevant developments in Afghanistan and international forums (e.g. UN, EU, OIC).
  • Translate findings and stakeholder insights into internal recommendations and briefings for senior leadership.

Communications and Documentation

  • Liaise with Malala Fund’s communications team to support visibility of the Afghanistan Initiative, particularly around key events or milestones.
  • Assist in the drafting and translation (Dari/Pashto/English) of written materials including public statements, op-eds, and campaign content.
  • Monitor public discourse and flag emerging narratives relevant to Malala Fund’s positioning on Afghanistan.

Risk and Compliance

  • Support due diligence, safeguarding, and data security processes for all stakeholder engagements and activities.
  • Escalate potential political, security, or reputational risks to the Senior Director and maintain risk documentation.

Qualifications

  • Typically 5+years of experience in project coordination or officer-level roles in international advocacy, human rights, development, or policy settings.
  • Fluency in English is essential.
  • Strong knowledge of Afghanistan’s political and social landscape, with particular attention to gender and education issues.
  • Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to lead delivery across multiple partners and stakeholders.
  • Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
  • Experience working with civil society organisations, multilateral bodies, and/or diaspora communities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; experience drafting for both internal and external audiences.
  • Familiarity with international legal frameworks, gender apartheid advocacy, or multilateral accountability mechanisms.
  • Experience supporting advocacy or communications campaigns, including digital or media component.
  • Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto.

____________

Malala Fund is an equal opportunity employer and inclusive organisation that welcomes applications from under-represented and intersectional groups including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We are seeking people with different backgrounds, cultures, ages, experiences and identities to provide a wide range of experience, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund.

Malala Fund is also committed to ensuring the safety of those involved in our work. Our first priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organisation.

Malala Fund has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation by any of our staff, representatives or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with Malala Fund or on our behalf are able to work in an environment that is free from harm. To this end, Malala Fund reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective and current employees.

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Other

  • Industries

    International Affairs

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Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative employer: Malala Fund

Malala Fund is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering girls through education, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values diverse perspectives. Located in London, the organisation provides employees with meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development while working on impactful initiatives that advocate for gender equality and education rights. With a commitment to safeguarding and a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, Malala Fund ensures a safe and supportive environment for all staff members.
Malala Fund

Contact Detail:

Malala Fund Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the current situation in Afghanistan, especially regarding girls' education and gender issues. This knowledge will not only help you understand the context of the role but also enable you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals who have experience in international advocacy or have worked with organisations focused on education in Afghanistan. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with like-minded individuals and gain insights that could be beneficial for your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Demonstrate your project management skills by preparing examples of past projects where you successfully coordinated multiple stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you managed timelines, budgets, and deliverables, as these are crucial aspects of the Project Officer role.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your communication skills by engaging with Malala Fund's social media platforms. Comment on their posts or share relevant content to demonstrate your passion for their mission. This can help you stand out and show your genuine interest in the organisation.

We think you need these skills to ace Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative

Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Advocacy Planning
Research Skills
Budget Management
Communication Skills
Logistical Coordination
Risk Assessment
Fluency in English
Knowledge of Afghan Political Landscape
Experience with Civil Society Organisations
Ability to Work Independently
Multilingual Proficiency (Dari/Pashto)
Understanding of Gender Issues in Education
Experience in International Advocacy

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and qualifications for the Project Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in project management, advocacy, and knowledge of the Afghan context.

Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly outline your project management experience, particularly in international advocacy or human rights. Use bullet points to detail your achievements and ensure it aligns with the skills mentioned in the job description.

Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for education and gender equality. Provide specific examples of how your background and skills make you a suitable candidate for this role. Mention any relevant experience working with civil society organisations or in similar contexts.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects attention to detail, which is crucial for the Project Officer role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Malala Fund

✨Understand the Mission

Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of Malala Fund's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in advocating for girls' education, especially in Afghanistan. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

✨Showcase Project Management Skills

Be prepared to discuss your project management experience in detail. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully coordinated projects, managed budgets, or led teams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and illustrate your impact.

✨Demonstrate Cultural Awareness

Given the focus on Afghan girls' education, it's crucial to show your understanding of the political and social landscape in Afghanistan. Be ready to discuss how cultural factors influence education and gender issues, and how your background or experiences can contribute to the initiative.

✨Prepare for Advocacy Discussions

Since the role involves advocacy planning and execution, think about your previous experiences in this area. Prepare to discuss how you've contributed to advocacy campaigns, your understanding of international legal frameworks, and how you can support Malala Fund's efforts in promoting education and equality.

Project Officer, Afghanistan Initiative
Malala Fund
Location: London
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