Technical Manager Medical – Afghanistan

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organisation that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Technical Manager – Medical

Code: SR-28-9956

Duty station: Helmand, Herat, and Nimroz (Roving)

Starting date: September 2025

Contract duration: 31/09/2025

Reporting to: Programme manager

Functional Supervisor: Medical Coordinator

Supervision of: technical supervision ofMAM in Helmand, Herat, and Nimroz

Type of Duty Station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over the past few years, Afghanistan has witnessed a relative improvement in security and stability across much of the country. This has allowed humanitarian actors like INTERSOS to maintain uninterrupted access and expand services in areas that were previously hard to reach. Despite this progress, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with millions of Afghans continuing to face acute vulnerabilities due to prolonged economic hardship, natural disasters, and limited access to essential services.

In 2025, more than half of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, with food insecurity, child malnutrition, and displacement remaining key concerns. Natural disasters, such as floods and recent earthquakes, have further compounded the needs of already struggling communities.

INTERSOS continues to operate through a community-based approach with field bases in Kabul, Kandahar, and Zabul, delivering primary healthcare, nutrition, and protection services with a focus on women, children, and persons with disabilities. The organization enjoys strong community acceptance and collaborates closely with relevant national authorities, including maintaining the full participation of female staff in all activities.

While the operational environment is largely stable and conducive, funding shortfalls and systemic barriers such as restrictions on financial flows and administrative bottlenecks continue to impact the scope and scale of humanitarian response. Sustained support is crucial to ensure the continuity of life-saving services and to address the urgent needs of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations

General purpose of the position

Participate in defining, planning, and monitoring medical activities and programs in the mission in accordance with INTERSOS protocols, as well as coordinate human and material-related resources needed in order to ensure the quality of care provided by INTERSOS.

Is responsible for the coordination of medical activities and resources in the mission if there is no the presence of a Medical Coordinator and a Deputy Medical Coordinator.

Main responsibilities and tasks:

• In collaboration with the Program Manager, the Medical Coordinator, and the rest of the team, define, implement, and monitor medical activities, according to INTERSOS project plans and mission strategy, standards, and protocols. Participate in exploratory missions, situation assessments (providing technical inputs and recommendations for new and ongoing interventions in the country and defining medical operational priorities when needed), and the development of the project policy, annual plan, budget review and project proposal, and reports to donors
• Supervise the Medical Activity Managers, ensuring a homogeneous mission Program approach and management across all projects, and guaranteeing a good quality of medical activities
• Residing in the field/area, is the responsible for ensuring the quality of activities and reports to the medical coordinator any analysis or issue related to the implementation of the medical program and any humanitarian medical matters that may impact the activities.
• In coordination with the Program Manager, establish and maintain regular and collaborative relations with relevant donors, local authorities, partners, medical actors, project stakeholders, and other organizations working in the target areas
• Proactively participate in cluster meetings and relevant inter-sectoral coordination meetings at the field level, contributing to the development of guidelines, standards, tools, and strategies
• Provide technical support to medical personnel in the field through self-knowledge and policies, ensuring compliance with the protocols of INTERSOS medical activities
• Coordinate, supervise, coach, support, and evaluate the medical team members’ performance to improve the medical components of the project and ensure compliance with INTERSOS protocols and standards
• Plan and supervise, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training, induction, performance evaluation, development, and internal/external communication) of the medical staff of the program in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required, and improve staff capabilities
• In close coordination with the Program Managers and clusters, develop and establish internal and external functional and effective referral and coordination mechanisms at the field level
• In coordination with HQ Medical Unit is the focal person in case of absence of the Medical Coordinator and Deputy Medical Coordinator to coordinate medical activities (opening and closure of mission, interim, reduced activities, etc.)

Required profile and experience

• Advanced university degree in medicine or other paramedical studies. Desirable specialization in Tropical Medicine or a degree in Public Health
• Minimum 2 years relevant work experience as a Medical Referent in the humanitarian sector, especially in fragile and unstable environments
• Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel, and the internet).
• English
• Mission language desirable
• Demonstrate experience with different donors’ compliance and reporting
• Leadership, people management, and development
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Strategic vision
• Results and quality orientation
• Behavioural flexibility
• Understanding of humanitarian operations principles, standards, and best practices
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles