Head of Advocacy, Inclusion & Strategic Communications

The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development, ACBAR, is an independent forum founded in 1988 in response to the demand from NGOs working with Afghan refugees in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan to more efficiently coordinate assistance and delivery of services. With its main office in Kabul since 2002, ACBAR brings together 230 National and International NGOs working in in all sectors of humanitarian assistance and development in Afghanistan. Its activities focus heavily on information to its members and the aid community in general, coordination of activities at the national and regional levels, and advocacy on issues affecting the work of its members in Afghanistan. ACBAR has a mission to provide an efficient platform for members to carry out effective humanitarian, development, and peace building activities in Afghanistan. The members are the drive behind ACBAR, and their active participation is essential to ACBAR’s continued dynamism. 

The Head of Advocacy, Inclusion & Strategic Communications leads ACBAR’s collective NGO advocacy and strategic positioning functions in Afghanistan. The role is responsible for strengthening evidence-based advocacy, inclusive representation, strategic narrative management, and coordinated stakeholder engagement in support of ACBAR members.

The position ensures that ACBAR’s external positioning reflects principled, member-driven, and politically sensitive advocacy approaches while strengthening the participation and visibility of national NGOs, including women-led organizations and regional actors. The role also supports coherent strategic communications, messaging discipline, and reactive advocacy coordination during operational or political developments affecting NGOs.
The role contributes to strengthening linkages between national and regional coordination structures, ensuring field-level concerns and operational realities are systematically reflected in advocacy analysis, policy engagement, and donor dialogue.

Strategic Advocacy & Policy Influence

• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of ACBAR’s advocacy strategy.
• Identify emerging operational and policy issues affecting NGOs and coordinate collective advocacy responses.
• Produce policy briefs, position papers, advocacy messages, briefing notes, and strategic analyses.
• Support coherent NGO positioning on humanitarian principles, localization, access, taxation, civic space, and operational challenges.
• Coordinate reactive advocacy efforts during emergencies, policy shifts, or incidents affecting NGO operations.
   

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation Support

• Support leadership engagement with donors, UN agencies, de facto authorities, diplomatic missions, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare strategic briefings, talking points, background notes, and engagement materials for senior leadership.
• Maintain stakeholder mapping and engagement tracking systems.
• Ensure all external positioning reflects agreed ACBAR and member-approved advocacy positions.
• Engagement with external actors shall be conducted through designated institutional channels and agreed representation arrangements.
   

Inclusion & Localization

• Promote inclusive participation of national NGOs, women-led NGOs, regional actors, and underrepresented groups within coordination and advocacy structures.
• Provide strategic input to ensure gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches across advocacy and coordination products.
• Support leadership development, advocacy capacity strengthening, and engagement readiness of national NGOs.
• Coordinate exchange platforms, consultations, and learning opportunities between INGOs and NNGOs.
   

Strategic Communications & Narrative Management

• Support development of strategic communications products aligned with ACBAR’s institutional positioning.
• Contribute to messaging governance, visibility strategy, speechwriting support, and communications risk management.
• Support public communication consistency across advocacy products and external engagement materials.
• Coordinate with Information Sharing functions to avoid duplication and ensure coherent dissemination of information.
   

Regional & Member Coordination

• Facilitate and coordinate the Advocacy Working Group (AWG).
• Strengthen field-to-national advocacy linkages through systematic engagement with regional teams and member organizations.
• Consolidate field-level feedback and operational trends into strategic analysis and advocacy messaging.
• Support regional offices in addressing operational advocacy challenges.
   

Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor political, humanitarian, and operational developments affecting NGOs and humanitarian action.
• Produce periodic analytical updates and strategic reporting products.
• Maintain awareness of evolving policy and operational risks relevant to ACBAR members.

• Advanced degree in humanitarian affairs, international relations, political science, communications, development studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian advocacy, NGO coordination, policy influence, or strategic engagement.
• Strong understanding of Afghanistan’s humanitarian, political, and operational environment.
• Demonstrated experience in coalition building, strategic analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience working in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Dari and/or Pashto desirable.
   

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and political awareness
• Diplomacy and stakeholder management
• Advocacy and influence
• Inclusive leadership and localization sensitivity
• Analytical and report-writing skills
• High integrity and professionalism
• Ability to operate in politically sensitive environments
   

Performance Indicators

• Quality and timeliness of advocacy products and strategic analysis
• Effective facilitation of coordinated NGO messaging
• Strengthened inclusion of national and regional NGO voices
• Improved coherence between national and regional advocacy efforts
• Quality of strategic engagement support provided to leadership
• Strengthened member engagement and advocacy capacity
   

Additional Notes
The role is strategic and representative in nature. ACBAR advocates collectively on behalf of members and does not undertake independent political positioning outside agreed institutional frameworks.
Travel to regional offices and stakeholder meetings within Afghanistan may be required.

If you meet the required qualifications and experience, please complete the application form using the link below. The deadline for submission is 16 June, 2026. Before applying, ensure that your CV and cover letter are combined into a single file, as you will be required to upload them during the application process.

ONLY INTERNATIONALS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS POSITION

Job application form link: https://form.acbar.org/app/form?id=r52yCA