Job Location:
Nationality: National
Category: Business Development
Employment Type: Full Time
Salary: Based on NTA salary scale
Vacancy Number: BRO/10/24/073
No. Of Jobs: 1
City: Bamyan
Organization: Aga Khan Foundation
Years of Experience: At least 2 years of experience in SME development, microfinance, business advisory, or financial services in Afghanistan. Individuals with experience of banking sector SME finance will have preference.
Contract Duration: One year
Gender: Male/Female
Education: Individual with a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting or related field.
Close date: 2024-11-04
About Aga 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 Description:
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Economic Inclusion is a key sector within AKF Afghanistan Program addressing 4 key thematic pillars 1. Small and Medium Enterprise and Market Development. 2. Employable Skills development 3. Promotion of Renewable Energy 4. Financial Inclusion with objective of work, employment, private sector engagement, linking rural communities with local, national and regional broad markets and providing access to finance opportunities to marginal and vulnerable communities.
As of now the focus of access to finance was in the informal sector financial support through Community Based Saving Groups [CBSG] and CBSG clusters. With changing realities, donor priorities and financial need of communities, economic inclusion is expanding access to finance scope to providing affordable loans to the successful microenterprises for upscaling their business through formal financial institutions as there are significant number of enterprises they have matured and in a stage of taking bigger risk of expanding their business. These micro enterprises were supported with equipment and material support in past under value chain development or skill development.
The proposed new position of Regional Officer, Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Financing, plays a critical role of supporting Regional Coordinator MSEF, in promoting financial inclusion by facilitating access to finance for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). The role involves understanding the financial needs of MSEs, providing advisory services, and liaising with financial institutions to ensure that the entrepreneurs receive suitable financial products and services. The officer will also play an integral role in monitoring, evaluating, and ensuring proper utilization of financial resources by MSE clients.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Client Identification and Assessment
Support Regional Coordinator MSEF in Identifying and engaging potential SME clients through field visits, community outreach, and partnership networks.
Evaluate business risks, market trends, and competition to develop tailored solutions for each SME.
To assist in preparing detailed reports on the financial and operational performance of SME clients, highlighting successes, challenges, and areas of improvement.
Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices from SME engagements for internal knowledge sharing and external reporting.
2. Business Development and Advisory Services
Provide guidance to SMEs on business planning, financial management, market strategy, and operational improvements.
Assist in conducting workshops and training sessions for SME clients on topics such as financial literacy, budgeting, cash flow management, and credit management.
Assist Regional Coordinator MSEF in liaising with banks, microfinance institutions, and other financial service providers to facilitate access to financing for SME clients.
Ensure that SMEs are equipped with the necessary knowledge to effectively manage and utilize the funds they receive.
3. Observing and Appraisal
Observing the financial and operational performance of SME clients post-financing to ensure proper use of funds and business growth.
Identify challenges faced by SMEs and provide recommendations for mitigating risks and improving business performance.
4. Stakeholder and Relationship Building
Assist in fostering partnerships between SMEs and relevant service providers, such as suppliers, consultants, and business development service providers.
5. Capacity Building and Training
Organize capacity-building initiatives for SMEs, focusing on skills development in areas such as business planning, financial management, product development, and marketing.
Support internal and external trainers to deliver workshops that address key challenges faced by SMEs, such as accessing finance, scaling operations, and entering new markets.
Provide one-on-one coaching and mentorship to SME clients to improve their business acumen and capacity for growth.
6. Risk Management
Support Regional Coordinator MSEF in assessing and mitigating financial and operational risks associated with providing financing to SMEs.
To carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF (Afg)’s commitment to safeguarding staff, beneficiaries and protecting children from harm and abuse in accordance with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding policy.
To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the training given.
OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
These deliverables focus on supporting MSEs through assessment, advisory, financing, monitoring, and relationship management.
Support in identifying and onboarding MSE clients, assessing their financial needs.
Support in organizing capacity-building workshops and training sessions to enhance financial literacy and business skills among MSE clients.
Provide business advice and training to improve financial management and growth.
Assist in completing all documentation for securing loans and financial products for MSEs.
Track and report on the financial health and progress of MSE clients.
Job Requirements:
JOB SPECIFICATION
Individual with a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting or related field.
Proficiency in English and Dari or Pashto is required.
At least 2 years of experience in SME development, microfinance, business advisory, or financial services in Afghanistan. Individuals with experience of banking sector SME finance will have preference.
The ideal candidate should possess a deep understanding of SMEs’ financial needs, challenges, and opportunities, along with experience in loan processing, financial product development, or SME-focused banking services. must have strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with SMEs, financial institutions, and partners, as well as knowledge of local financial regulations and practices impacting SMEs.
REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
The candidate must have the ability to work with different people and in different working circumstances.
Effective communication and training skills to discuss and negotiate agreements on specific issues with a variety of partners.
Skill of working in a team and as an individual.
Good writing skills to draft the project progress reports and other required documents.
Aga Khan Foundation
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