Post Date: Jun 27, 2024
Closing Date: Jul 11, 2024
Reference: NR/KBL/06/24/055
Number of Vacancies: 1
Salary Range: NTA Grade B
Years of Experience: 8 years
Probation Period: 3 month
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Contract Duration: 1 year
Contract Extensible: Maybe
Minimum Education: Master’s Degree
Gender: Any
About Agha Khan Foundation
The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries. AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.
Job Summary
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Under the direct supervision of the PIU Lead, the MSME Credit Specialist will provide technical oversight in capacity building of MSMEs to make them eligible for credit and financing through Credit Viability Fund (CVF). The incumbent will provide advice on Islamic finance mechanisms and will coordinate with Afghanistan’s microfinance providers (MFPs) to establish Sharia-compliant credit instruments and carry out due diligence on eligible MSMEs.
Duties & Responsibilities
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
– Provide technical support to the field teams to ensure that private sector entities are identified and selected on merit and business management training is provided to a quality. Review and provide input on technical trainings and other capacity building programs.
– In line with Project Operations Manual (POM) provide technical support to field teams as well as national team to develop tools and good practice guidelines on microentrepreneurs selection, CBSG clustering, and their capacity building.
– Facilitate the establishment and operationalization of Credit Viability Fund (CVF) by providing technical information to Micro Finance Providers (MFPs) and liaise closely with FMFB, Oxus and Mutahid.
– To provide technical direction to field teams on the technical aspects of the clustering process and accessing CVF from different MFPs. Supervise process implementation by ensuring that all tools, manuals, and approaches are technically sound and are in line with project operations manual.
– Visit cluster areas or microentrepreneur hotspots for monitoring of project progress and quality check and provide feedback and coaching for field staff on further improvement.
– Work closely with field teams to strengthen field staff capacity to collect, interpret, and use data to improve program quality, build a body of evidence and inform project improvements.
– Contribute to the project measurement and reporting on the impact of its work against objectives.
– Ensure that EMERGe project components 2a & 2b implementation is guided by relevant tools guidelines, technical standards and relevant commitments that the AKF-Afg has undertaken under project operations manual and PAD.
– Co-ordinate lesson learning from monitoring and evaluation of EMERGe ensuring that best practice and policy insights are shared with the World Bank and other stakeholders.
– Critically review different aspects of the program for further improvement by identifying any program, finance or operational gaps for smooth implementation.
OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
– Will represent PIU in WB coordination meetings and facilitate field visits of Third-Party Monitors (TPMs) meetings for the smooth implementation of the project.
DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
– Will have the authority to decide on all aspects of CVF disbursement and business training.
Job Requirements
JOB SPECIFICATION
– Master’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, Development Studies, International Relations, or other related field and a minimum of [8] years of relevant work experience.
– Fluency in English, Farsi/Dari, and Pashtu languages.
– Familiarity with communities, CBSGs, DDAs and CSO will be required.
– Proven capacity to organize training activities and to coordinate with implementing partners.
– Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and team members.
– Knowledge and ability to apply computer applications to include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
– Proven experience in social inclusion and management, preferably in rural development, social development or rural infrastructure projects.
REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
– Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
– Excellent stakeholder management skills and career.
– Very good knowledge and experience in the Afghanistan banking sector and financial markets.
– Ability to deal sensitively in fragile and changing economic environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
Submission Guideline
APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 11th July 2024.
Important Notes:
• Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying.
• No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
• Salary scale: Grade B based on NTA Salary scale.
Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and safeguarding of children, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees in accordance with AKF(Afg)’s safeguarding policy.
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Your details and information shared on this advertisement shall remain confidential.
The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge.
Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org. Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.
Aga Khan Foundation – Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AKF (Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.
Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times.
By sharing your cover letter and resume with AKF (Afg) in response to this job application, applicants consent AKF (Afg) to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.
We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AKF Afghanistan to AKFA.HR@akdn.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.