UN jobs in Kabul, Afghanistan 🇦🇫

Assistant Human Rights Officer, Noa

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Assistant Human Rights Officer supports the UNAMA Human Rights Service in Kabul by assisting in the planning, coordination, and implementation of activities related to the mission's human rights mandate. Key responsibilities include monitoring the human rights situation, integrating gender perspectives, and analyzing data from open sources and field missions. The role involves liaising with de facto authorities, civil society, and UN agencies to promote and protect human rights, including the rights of women, children, and vulnerable groups. The officer assists in fact-finding violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, verifies cases in databases, and conducts detention monitoring visits. Additionally, the position requires drafting reports, briefings, and recommendations, as well as organizing awareness-raising seminars. The candidate must demonstrate professionalism, analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a complex security environment. The role is temporary until December 31, 2026, with a possibility of extension, and may be limited to internal candidates or those based at the duty station depending on funding.

Programme Specialist – Cash-Based Programming and Resilience [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

United Nations Development Programme · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Programme Specialist – Cash-Based Programming and Resilience provides technical leadership and advisory support on Cash-Based Interventions (CBIs) within UNDP Afghanistan’s ABADEI project and broader portfolios. The role focuses on strengthening integrated project management, ensuring gender-responsive and climate-sensitive programme design, and overseeing the implementation of Cash for Work, Cash for Shelter, and MSME grants. Key responsibilities include coordinating with diverse stakeholders to resolve implementation challenges, managing contracts and budgets, and enhancing partner performance through structured oversight. The specialist leads the institutionalization of digital beneficiary management and payment systems, working with financial institutions to improve cost efficiency and coverage. Additionally, the role involves designing capacity-building initiatives, developing standardized SOPs, and capturing lessons learned to refine CBI modalities. The incumbent supports evidence-based decision-making, contributes to donor reporting, and promotes innovation in livelihood and resilience interventions. The position requires strong competencies in achieving results, innovating, and engaging partners, with a focus on political savvy and diversity. It falls under the Capacity Building Team within the Programme Management Support Unit, reporting to the Head of PMSU with matrix reporting to the Project Manager.

Programme Specialist – Social and Environmental Standards and Accountability (Homebased) [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

United Nations Development Programme · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Programme Specialist – Social and Environmental Standards and Accountability serves as a key technical advisor within UNDP Afghanistan’s Programme Management Support Unit, focusing on the application of Social and Environmental Standards (SES) across the Country Office’s portfolio, particularly under the Area-Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiative (ABADEI). The role involves reviewing and approving Social and Environmental Screening Procedures (SESP), providing second-layer quality assurance for complex assessments, and overseeing Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) and Stakeholder Response Mechanisms (SRM). The incumbent will build capacity for staff and partners, develop SES guidance tools, and ensure compliance with corporate safeguards. This home-based position requires strong advisory skills, experience in crisis settings, and the ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders to mitigate risks and ensure high-quality, risk-informed programme delivery.

Programme Specialist - Gender, Peace and Social Cohesion [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

United Nations Development Programme · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Programme Specialist - Gender, Peace and Social Cohesion serves within UNDP's Capacity Building Team in Afghanistan, providing technical leadership on gender equality, women's economic empowerment, and social cohesion. The role involves reviewing and validating programme documentation for alignment with UNDP strategies and Social and Environmental Standards, ensuring gender-responsive planning and monitoring. Key responsibilities include leading quality reviews of Gender Markers, providing strategic policy advice to senior management and inter-agency platforms, and supporting resource mobilization efforts. The specialist also facilitates capacity building on gender and PSEA for staff and partners, develops context-specific tools, and contributes to advocacy and knowledge sharing. The position requires supervising two NPSA6 personnel and working under the Head of PMSU with matrix reporting to the Project Manager. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, experience in crisis settings, and expertise in mainstreaming gender across development interventions.

POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER/Climate, Peace and Security Advisor, P4

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Climate, Peace and Security Advisor (P4) supports UNAMA leadership in addressing climate change, environmental shocks, and natural resource management impacts on peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. The role involves providing strategic analysis on climate-peace-security interlinkages, promoting coherence among UN entities, and mainstreaming climate risks into UNAMA policies and planning. The Advisor engages with Afghan stakeholders, including de facto authorities and civil society, to build confidence and foster regional dialogue. Responsibilities include supporting aid coordination, identifying funding gaps, developing programming proposals, and collaborating with UN partners to secure climate finance for peacebuilding. The candidate must demonstrate extensive analytical experience, policy advisory skills, and a track record of engagement with senior officials. The position requires deep expertise in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and environmental governance within a conflict or post-conflict setting. It is a temporary assignment available until December 31, 2026, potentially limited to internal candidates or those based at the duty station. The role demands high professionalism, effective communication, teamwork, and client orientation, with a focus on gender perspectives and equal participation.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT OFFICER (Fixed - Term Limited), P3

United Nations Human Settlements Programme · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Knowledge Management Officer (P3) supports UN-Habitat's Afghanistan office in Kabul by enhancing the understanding, advocacy, and resource mobilization for community-centered approaches to adequate housing, shelter, and disaster resilience in urban informal settlements. Reporting to the Country Program Officer, the incumbent provides programme support, including project monitoring, donor reporting, and partnership coordination, particularly with the Government of Japan and JICA. Key responsibilities involve strengthening knowledge sharing, producing visibility materials, and coordinating with UN agencies and research institutions. The role requires collecting and analyzing data to provide insights for data-driven planning and decision-making. The ideal candidate possesses a Master's degree in international relations, media communications, or social sciences, along with five years of progressively responsible experience in human settlements programmes within crises or displacement contexts. Experience in data analytics, donor relations, and the Asia-Pacific region is desirable. Fluency in English is required, with Japanese being an asset. This is a fixed-term limited position for one year, contingent on funding.

Programme Coordinator (Community Engagement and Accountability) (P)

International Organization for Migration · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Programme Coordinator (Community Engagement and Accountability) leads the mission’s community-level engagement and accountability initiatives in Afghanistan. Reporting to the Head of Programmes and Operations, the role oversees the Community Engagement and Accountability unit, managing operational budgets and administrative aspects. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing community-based programming strategies, mainstreaming accountability to affected populations (AAP), and designing context-specific engagement plans. The coordinator provides technical support and capacity development for community assessment, planning, and monitoring across the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus. The role requires coordinating with local authorities, civil society, and partners to strengthen resilience and reintegration. It involves developing tools for social cohesion, gender mainstreaming, and inclusive participation, as well as establishing feedback mechanisms. The candidate must ensure effective communication and address AAP concerns. The position demands strong supervisory skills, fluency in English, and preferably knowledge of Dari/Pashto. It is a P-level role open to first- and second-tier candidates, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Programme Specialist – Cash-Based Programming and Resilience [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

United Nations Development Programme · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

Principal Coordination Officer, D1

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan · 🇦🇫 Kabul, Afghanistan

The Principal Coordination Officer (D1) leads the Development pillar of the Integrated Office of the DSRSG/RC/HC in Afghanistan. The role involves formulating and implementing the substantive work programme, overseeing aid coordination, resource mobilization, and humanitarian-development-peace nexus activities. The incumbent supervises staff, manages budgets, and provides strategic policy advice to the DSRSG/RC/HC. The position requires extensive experience in strategic planning, sustainable development, and coordination in conflict or post-conflict settings. The officer represents the Office at international meetings and ensures high-quality reporting and data-driven decision-making. The role is temporary until December 31, 2026, and may be limited to internal candidates or those based at the duty station. It demands strong leadership, negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the UN system and political environment in Afghanistan.