Access to Finance compliance officer

About WEE-RDP/MRRD:

The Government of Afghanistan (GoIRA) launched the Women’s Economic Empowerment National Priority Program (WEE-NPP) on March 8th, 2017. The WEE-NPP forms the third pillar of the GoIRA’s Gender Strategy which is encompassed in the broader Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) – the country’s five-year development plan. The WEE-NPP aims to build poor women’s capacity to strengthen the economy of their households, communities, and the entire nation. It is structured as an umbrella program (rather than a stand-alone project/operation) that would operate through over a dozen line ministries (through ongoing or pipeline projects) and coordinated through a Program Coordination Office (PCO) in the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MOLSAMD).

The Mission of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) is implementing the Women Economic Empowerment Program (WEE-RDP) to ensure the social, economic, and political well-beings of rural society, especially with the poor and vulnerable people, through the provision of basic services, strengthening local governance, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. MRRD accomplishes this mission through donor funded national programs (Citizen Charter, Sustainable Economy Growth and the Boarders Sustainable Development) defined as the MRRD pillars.

Women Economic Empowerment-Rural Development Project (WEE-RDP) is a flagship national initiative of the GoIRA and part of the Sustainable Economy Growth pillar of MRRD, which intends to increase social and economic empowerment of rural poor women in selected communities during a five year project. It would work in 5000 villages in all 34 provinces across Afghanistan in close collaboration with Citizen Charter (CC) and assuring convergence with other MRRD projects, NHLP project of MAIL, Access to Finance project (TUP) of World Bank, etc. The project will work closely work with Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and other stakeholders from financial sector to promote access to finance in selected rural areas.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Kabul based Access to Finance Compliance Officer (A2FCO) will work in the WEE-RDP Kabul Office and will support Head of unit, Access to Finance Specialist, District Coordinators, Social Organizer and Village Facilitators and also serve as a liaison between the PMO and the Regional Offices with each traveling (as needed) between the various provinces, ensuring that bank account is opened properly, Seed Capital documentation provided as needed and reporting is being properly done and the operational needs of the districts are being met. The A2FO will report to the Access to Finance manager at PMO.

Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities

Defining the necessary system on existing and emerging regulatory compliance requirements across the organization;
Preparing and presenting clear and concise compliance reports to the unit head;
Follow up and investigate on compliance issues;
Ensuring that all complaints are handled at the proper time.
Ensure that SHGs and VSLAs exercise due diligence and efficiency in the management of the matching seed grants in accordance with sound on-lending, administrative, financial, accounting, technical and managerial standards;
Ensure that SHGs and VSLAs lend funds provided from the matching seed grant to eligible members of the SHGs, VSLAs and EGs that members use the funds for developmental purposes;
Ensure that SHGs, VSLAs and EGs prepare and deliver the project with all information related to the matching seed grant regularly and/or as requested by the project;
Ensure that SHGs, VSLAs and EGs maintain adequate records to reflect their operations, resources and expenditures related to the matching seed grants;
Co-coordinate with different units within WEE-RDP, particularly CMID and training unit in preparation of different training manuals and guidelines related to SHGs and VSLAs;
Support the provincial staff in training and mentoring the SHGs and VSLAs in carrying out their financial operations e.g., developing saving and lending systems, so that they emerge as village level banking institutions;
Work with SHGs, VSLAs and EGs to assist them in designing and developing appropriate financial products for their members and member institutions;
Support provincial staff and SHGs, VSLAs and EGs in developing proper community mechanism for loan recovery at VSLA level in case of any default;
Ensure all requirements of providing matching grants to SHGs, VSLAs and EGs and helping them in proper management of matching seed grants and fulfilling fiduciary requirements;
Participate in implementation of the on-the-job training- and coaching of provincial staff who are dealing with SHGs and VSLAs;
Assist the SHGs and VSLAs in building internal systems and their banking profile, so that they are able to partner with MFIs and mobilize bulk credit for their members;
Develop an outreach program to ensure that all SHGs and VSLAs are aware of project successes and lessons learned and are able to incorporate same into their operating methodology;
A2FCO will support the program implementation teams based at regional level and serve as a liaison between Regional program offices and the PMO;
The A2FCO will spend approximately 50% of time travelling to provinces to review the progress of implementation and assist regional staff in planning future activities in-line with quarterly, six-monthly and annual work plans as directed by the Head of A2F division;
Other tasks as assigned by the Head of A2F and Senior Management.

Job Requirements:

Knowledge/Experience, Qualifications/Skills and abilities required:

The successful candidate(s) will be able to work without direct supervision, pay attention to detail and will exhibit personal commitment, drive for results, efficiency, flexibility, respect for diversity, creative thinking and problem solving.

Knowledge/Experience

4 years of relevant work experience in similar activities;
Familiarity with establishment of community based institutions 
Familiarity with the activities/operations of organizations to implement development projects;
Desirable: Knowledge of GOA policies and procedures and WB guidelines;

Qualifications/Skills

A bachelor’s degree in a related field (Economic, Business Administration, Finance, Social Science, etc. is desirable.);
Planning & Organizing - Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
Communications - Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including ability to prepare written documents/communications;
Technology Awareness – Good computer skills using Word, Excel, and the Internet,
Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Fluency in English (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) required;
Fluency in written and spoken Dari/Pashto; 

Abilities

Ability to build and sustain effective work relationships with a diverse range of clients, partners, peers and subordinates to achieve common goals;
Ability to multi-task and work under pressure;
Professionalism in appearance and demeanor;
Willingness to enhance knowledge through training and personal initiative.
Willingness and ability to travel in rural Afghanistan.

Submission Guideline:

Interested Afghans with the required qualifications and experience should submit their applications electronically through vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af
While submitting your applications please mention the Title of the position plus Vacancy Number in the subject of the e-mail; please do NOT submit any other supporting documentation or educational certificates with your application. If you are short listed you will be asked to submit electronic copies of your educational certificates and if you are invited to written test you will be required to present the original certificates. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of the position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for written test Note: In the interests of open and fair competition and a merit based selection process applicants are advised that lobbying for a position , whether by the applicant or by any person acting on his or her behalf, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate from further consideration. Applicants are strongly advised to inform potential supporters of this restriction which shall be strictly enforced.

Please don’t forget to type the Vacancy Announcement Number (1224/019/HRCSD/WEE-RDP/MRRD) in Subject while applying online. Application without vacancy number will not be accepted. 

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is highly committed to increase women’s participation in government sector therefore women are highly encouraged to apply.

Submission Email:

vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af