Job title: Managing Director
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Reporting to: CEO
Length of Contract: A minimum of 2 years
Salary: Commensurate with previous salary and experience.

Turquoise Mountain is seeking a Managing Director to oversee all projects in Afghanistan, in coordination with the Board of Trustees located in the United Kingdom.

Background:

Turquoise Mountain is a non-profit, non-governmental organization specializing in urban regeneration, business development, and education in traditional arts and architecture. We seek to provide jobs, skills, and a renewed sense of national pride to Afghan men and women.

The old city of Kabul has been ravaged by war, 50% of the buildings have been destroyed and the inhabitants have been demoralised and de-skilled by the war. The challenge that the city government faces is how to restore confidence and pride in a once beautiful city whilst at the same time addressing its pressing economic and commercial needs.The success of Turquoise Mountain has been to capture the interest, enthusiasm and commitment of four key groups of stakeholders: the government, the local community, a strong and capable local directorate and a group of committed international donors. This means that in just two years they have managed to regenerate much of the Murad Khane quarter of Kabul with programs ranging from architectural conservation and drainage to clinics, embroidery courses and mass employment schemes. They have also established a school for education in traditional arts and architecture and launched a large program to export Afghan traditional crafts.

The Foundation is now seeking someone to take over the operations in Kabul as Managing Director with a brief to consolidate operations and build a sustainable and self managing community. The successful candidate will need to be an excellent programme manager who combines the enthusiasm and doggedness of true leadership with the political skills to manage and balance the needs of a variety of local and international stakeholders.

Their success will be threefold:
- Harnessing what has been started and nurturing and managing it through to a completed programme
- Capturing the ideas and enthusiasms of the management team and facilitating decisions about priorities for the future
- Supporting and enabling the work of the foundation by ensuring it works within the expectations of the local government and its donors

In addition the Managing Director will be expected to provide support to the on-going search for funds and support that is led by the Trustees.

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Accountability to the Trustees for the on-going development and delivery of the regeneration programme in Murad Khane including the Centre for Traditional Arts and Architecture, the Business Development section, Cultural Programs and the Istalif project
- Lead, manage and develop the directorate of nine
- Accountability for the management and development of the programme infrastructure and systems including financial management, planning, HR and personnel and communications
- Act as the programme representative with the regional and central government in Kabul
- Report to the Trustees on the aims achievements and issues on the programme
- Develop, in association with the Trustees the on-going strategy and plan for the programme.

Personal Skills and Experience required:
- A real commitment to the development in general and to urban re-generation in particular
- Appreciation and respect for Afghan culture, people and values.
- A first rate programme manager who can show that they have managed and delivered multiple projects in difficult and demanding circumstances. Someone who makes people feel confident through their own competence and yet can help others blossom and flourish
- Experience and skill in working with government or not for profit organisations; possessed of the gravitas and charm to handle powerful stakeholders
- An adaptable and energetic problem solver with good communication skills and a sense of humour
- A sound background in finance and setting up and establishing new leadership teams.

The successful candidate will be offered a two year contract, and expected to work in Afghanistan throughout that period. The current CEO will continue as a trustee to support the work of the Foundation and secure its financial future.

If you are committed to urban regeneration, a problem-solver and are a good communicator then we will be delighted to hear from you.

Further information about the work of Turquoise Mountain is available at: www.turquoisemountain.org and www.turquoisemountainarts.af
Vacancies Contact
Please send your CV and a covering letter to: info@maxximconsulting.com
or contact Sara Millington on: 00 44 (0) 20 7495 3233 for more information.