Programme Officer - Afghanistan

Location: Afghanistan

Contract: Permanent, full time

Salary: between £25,956 - £36,855

Reports To: Head of Partnerships and Donor Management

Key Contacts / Relationships:

• Internal – HPDM, Programme Officer, MEAL Officer, Communications Associate, Country Director
• External – Contact points in national and international partner organisations, donor focal points, national mine action stakeholders

Job Purpose: The Programme Officer is an essential part of the Partnerships and Donor Management Team. Under the lead of the Head of Partnerships and Donor Management (HPDM), you will maintain and manage existing funding and partners, build and support donor relations, seek new funding opportunities and support Communications and MEAL functions.

About HALO: HALO is the leading global NGO addressing the impact and drivers of conflict in 30 countries and territories, with over 8,000 staff. Most of our staff are local employees and include a growing number of women. Our primary duty is to serve people affected by conflict, clearing landmines and the explosive remnants of war that threaten lives and livelihoods long after fighting has finished. We make land safe where war has ended, while also assisting those affected by active conflict and endemic violence. HALO addresses human suffering caused by armed violence in some of the world’s most fragile places, securing weapons and ammunition and working with both state and community actors to reduce the prevalence of armed violence.

About the role: The Programme officer will work closely with senior programme staff and is one of a small number of international staff working in direct support of a large and highly proficient national staff team in HALO’s oldest programme. We are seeking open-minded candidates with a fascination for Afghanistan and who are able to adapt to a fast-changing work environment. An understanding of security restrictions when living and working in Afghanistan or previous experience in insecure contexts would be beneficial.

Responsibilities:

• Funding acquisition: Lead and support the planning and delivery of concept notes and proposals to a variety of different donors to achieve HALO’s short and long-term goals. Ensure close coordination with other HALO departments as part of proposal development processes and ensure timely submission of concept notes and proposals. Ensure that future programming integrates any findings or lessons learned from previous projects. Facilitate project design and coordinate the management of contracts with start-up meetings and appropriate allocations of responsibilities. Monitor contracts in an assigned portfolio and identify possible funding gaps.
• Grant/Project Management and Reporting: Take responsibility for donor contracts and lead the development of monthly, quarterly, annual and end-of-project reports and ensure donor and HALO standards and requirements are met. Support the production of newsletters, communications materials and other reports in collaboration with other departments. Ensure close coordination with HALO’s MEAL and Information Systems team; ensure that data and findings are accurately presented in the reports. Monitor project progress, ensure goals and objectives are achieved and ensure adherence to grant requirements and international standards. Facilitate project start-up and close-out meetings.
• Partnerships and External Relations: Develop and maintain strong relationships with HQ staff to coordinate on donor relations and partnerships as well as with assigned donor contacts. Identify and build relationships with potential implementing partners and peer organisations. Closely coordinate with Afghan national demining and victim assistance organisations to ensure smooth project implementation and capacity-building initiatives. Find and analyse secondary data sources from the humanitarian sector in Afghanistan to illustrate the need for HALO’s work with partners and to increase support for demining, development, and stabilisation projects. Assist the HPDM with external representation and build and maintain networks with clusters, NGOs, and local donor delegations.

Requirements:

• A degree in international development, social sciences, or related field.
• Understanding of project design and high-quality proposal and report writing.
• Basic understanding of donors and their requirements including GFFO, ECHO, FCDO, Norway and UNOCHA.
• Strong coordination and facilitation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English skills.
• Excellent with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, busy environment and maintain performance expectations.
• Ability to meet deadlines, be self-sufficient and work under pressure.
• Effective communication and relationship-building with the team, other departments, and beneficiaries with due sensitivity to local culture and customs.

Desirable:

• Experience in a humanitarian or development organisation.
• Experience in Afghanistan (or other similar contexts).
• Prior knowledge of the Mine Action sector.
• Experience in data analysis and visualisation tools.
• Experience in Communications and/or MEAL.

General: Uphold HALO’s core values and standards, promoting its ethos and mission statement. Ensure familiarity with and adherence to all HALO policies and procedures, especially the code of conduct and safeguarding.

Competencies required for the role:

• Strategic thinking.
• Cultural awareness.
• Results oriented.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

Physical Requirements for the role: Ability to live and work in restricted environments.

Travel Requirements: Travel to field locations in Afghanistan as and when required.

Benefits:

• Local overseas allowance of $350 per month.
• Shared accommodation in a rented HALO apartment, provided at nil cost.
• 49 days annual leave increasing to 56 days after 2 years.
• Three economy return flights to the member’s home address (or an alternative location up to an equivalent cost).
• Comprehensive insurance package: life assurance and emergency medical insurance, including evacuation and repatriation.

To Apply: Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining how your experience matches the key skills and competencies required by 21/07/2026. Applications without a cover letter tailored to this position will not be considered. We reserve the right to amend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. The HALO Trust is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.