Enterprise and Marketing Officer (Ghowr, Afghanistan)

Afghanaid is a British international NGO (www.afghanaid.org.uk) that has been working in Afghanistan since 1983. Headquartered in Kabul, Afghanaid implements projects directly in 4 provinces and through partners in a further number of provinces and maintains a marketing and fundraising office in London. Afghanaid works in some of the most remote areas of the country and through a range of programme interventions supports development of basic services, such as water and sanitation, access roads, education facilities and other community infrastructure; strengthens livelihoods through improved natural resource management, agricultural and small enterprise development, and improved access to markets; and provides humanitarian assistance in times of emergencies. Gender mainstreaming, local governance and community development are integrated into all of Afghanaid’s work. The results achieved have earned Afghanaid the respect and recognition of stakeholders as an effective and collaborative charity.

• Planning, developing and supervising the implementation of an appropriate livelihood skills, enterprise, and financial management programme in the selected areas of the respective provinces in a professional and timely manner. Ensuring that the project enterprise programme is implemented in accordance with Afghanaid standards, policies, and procedures and that commitments to the donor, communities and other stakeholders are fulfilled in a professional and timely manner. Coordinating and communicating with other team members and continuous liaison with provincial stakeholders regarding enterprise-related project progress or other related issues. Representing Afghanaid at external forums and promote its work among line departments and NGOs working in the respective province.

Responsibility

• Implementation and supervision of enterprise interventions in the selected areas of the respective provinces to a high quality ensuring that project targets and contractual obligations are being met. Ensure that the implemented activities are technically sound, cost-effective and relevant to the target beneficiaries needs. Conduct training needs assessments of project participants and supervise the designing and organizing of training programs to address the identified training needs, prepare training assessment reports. Create training curricula for enterprise development, marketing, savings groups’ management, financial management, soft skills and other trainings based on identified requirements (value chain analysis, market assessment, business management skills, feasibility study etc.) and the provision of technical support. Supervise and provide technical support to the training providers in both provinces.
• Create and promote a savings, entrepreneurial and joint production culture among the women for increased income generation at the household and community level.
• Provide support to the project participants in linking their respective groups to markets and build the leadership capacity of their leaders.
• Assist the groups in effectively managing their savings; monitor savings groups, individual grantees and loan activities and document the experiences.
• Assist projects in forming producer groups where possible.
• Monitor all production support activities and make recommendations for modification, improvement or the introduction of new activities.
• Working with the communities to identify and establish markets for micro and small scale enterprise products.
• Organise exchange visits of entrepreneurs and saving group members and establish linkages with MFIs, market players, suppliers and service providers.
• Organise exhibitions of the produced products at the district, provincial, and national level.
• Organise and oversee the distribution of project materials to saving groups.
• Advise and assist the Project Manager and Project Coordinator in designing, developing and monitoring the enterprise implementation plan.
• Prepare monthly reports. Contribute to the preparation of quarterly and annual project work plans and budgets and assist the Project Manager and Project Coordinators in budget tracking and analysis as necessary. Work closely with the project team to foster communication, collaboration and harmony within the team and promote individual and collective commitment to enterprise sector implementation quality. Liaise with other projects/programs operating in the enterprise development and livelihoods sector in the target districts to identify and taking account of development activities currently being undertaken or being developed in these sectors by the other NGOs/departments. Ensure a good working relationship with relevant government departments and administration. Facilitate visits of any internal or external stakeholders to monitor the project implementation in close coordination with the provincial team. Support the M&E Officer in collecting case studies, success stories and data. Keep appropriate records for collecting the evidence of project implementation, for instance, by collecting attendance sheets, distribution lists, training needs assessment records, pre-, post- tests, etc.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education & Professional Qualification

(To be added by Hiring Manager, a template is highlighted below) University Degree or diploma in enterprise development, business management, marketing or a related field.

Work Experience

(To be added by Hiring Manager, a template is highlighted below)

• Minimum three years of experience in a similar capacity
• Proven experience in assessing training needs and building the capacity of a mixture of literate and illiterate project participants
• Experience with and strong technical knowledge of small enterprise development.

Professional Skills, Competencies, Values and Attitudes

(To be added by Hiring Manager, a template is highlighted below)

• Dependable professional with strong organisational and coordination skills, initiative, judgment and adaptability with significant levels of autonomy.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, setting priorities and meeting tight deadlines; results-oriented approach to delivering work priorities
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development; ability to convert lessons learnt and experiences gained from delivering trainings in the field to improving the training approach;
• Strong communication, analytical and report writing skills with fluency in spoken and written Dari and Pashto    
• Willingness, enthusiasm and experience in working with vulnerable women with a focus on their economic and social empowerment.
• Specifically, the holder of this position should also demonstrate the following:

• Strong interpersonal skills in working in a multi-disciplinary team. A clear and firm commitment to human rights, equality, role and empowerment of women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Understanding and knowledge of Islamic perspective on women’s rights and strong understanding of the local context. Responsible, committed and honest in his/her work Detail-oriented person.

Resilience to live, travel and work in isolated and possibly insecure locations.

Specifically, the holder of this position should also demonstrate the following:

Key Skills and Competencies Essential

• Highly developed reporting, budget monitoring, and management skills. Excellent knowledge of community development and social mobilisation. Proven management ability and strong interpersonal skills – team player. Problem solving and leadership skills. Proficiency in the most common computer software including word processing, and excel spreadsheets. Ability to deal with difficult, often frustrating work situations. A willingness to live, travel and work in isolated and possibly dangerous locations. Gender sensitivity. Sensitivity to the Islamic culture. Commitment to support/develop the capacity of the national staff and of rural communities. Personal integrity and a sense of humour. Knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses. Ability to manage conflicting priorities in personal workload. Knowledge of exit strategies and sustainability issues.

Desirable (To be added by Hiring Manager, a template is highlighted below)

• Experience or familiarity other INGOs working Ghor province  Previous work experience in Ghor with Afghanaid Proficiency with data enter

Please email a covering letter and your CV, by no later than Monday 11th July 2022 to vacancies@afghanaid.org.uk (, including your name and the job title in the subject line. Your covering letter should be no more than 1 standard A4 page in length and explain how you meet the essential and desirable position requirements and why you feel you would be a suitable candidate for this role. Your CV should be no more than 4 pages and include 3 professional references including your current employer. The precision and style with which you present yourself in your covering letter and CV will be given significant weight in short listing candidates. Application with no proper subject (requested above) will not be considered.

Submission Email
vacancies@afghanaid.org.uk