Value Chain Technical Specialist

About RETURNESS/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.

Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities

The Value Chain Specialist will work in the “Returnees Enterprise Development (RED) Unit” and provide expertise in supporting the initiatives of carpet sector and other business sectors, such as input suppliers, producers, wholesalers, traders, processors, exporters and retailers, to develop their competitiveness through superior performance and improvement in value chains. The specialist will work closely with other RED and WEERDP technical staff to: a) support carpet and other business sectors in terms of organization, accounting, product development, marketing and promotion, and linkages. The specialist will establish and maintain relationships with a wide variety of market actors, as well as other development programs working in similar areas. She/he will work in close coordination and collaboration with the Program and Operations team of WEERDP in Kabul and provinces to ensuresuccessful program implementation.  Value Chain Specialist will:

Conduct value chain assessments including the identification of market linkages and market opportunities for carpet selling in the targeted provinces;
Conduct assessment to identify national and international markets for; the opportunities of carpets selling and purchasing raw materials, availability of potential markets and linkages.
Identify major leverage points for value chain development and market opportunities as basis for better livelihoods of returnees in the project area.
Works with businesses owned by Returnees men and women to increase their capacity, sales and profitability;
Support operation officers, ESS officers, the program manager,  beneficiaries in building and sustaining market linkages, networks and partnerships;
Supports  enterprises of returned families to identify new buyers, d , develop networks, offer capacity building for producers, develop sourcing of raw materials and end markets to increase income and employment opportunities;
Advise the market-led value chain and enterprise development team in establishment of Enterprise Groups (EGs) and Producers Associations (PAs)
Give intellectual input in development of training curriculum/material, formats, templates handouts, manuals, modules, etc., and support in building the capacity of PMO and Provincial Team and beneficiaries.
Assists RED by developing technical strategies with private carpet firms
Report on the status of initiatives facilitated by RED;
Promotes relationships between  between the project beneficiaries and the private sector specific focus should be on linkages with private carpet companies
Manage the timely preparation of government inquires, responses to letters & Peshnihad, monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports Conduct missions to targeted provinces.
Other duties as assigned by the Senior Management Team of WEERDP

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor degree with 5 years’ experience in the related field ,economics, business management (major of course in enterprise/entrepreneurship development, value chain development) or a closely related field;
Excellent in English (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) required;
Fluency in written and spoken Dari/Pashto;
Experience in value chain assessments & analysis is required carpet industry whilemanagement, curriculum development, capacity building, , report writing, communication, monitoring and administrative management will be an advantage.

Knowledge/Experience:

5 years of relevant experience in conducting sector/subsector analytical studies, and/or in planning, design, supervision of carpet and other business sectors, including elaboration of business investment feasibility studies/value chain analyses/market studies.
Experience in managing Value Chain as tools or means for implementing Enterprise Development Projects/Programs for income and employment generation or and similar activities in GoIRA institution, an NGO, or a development agency in Afghanistan;
Professionalism – an understanding of the management and operations of development organizations in Afghanistan - experience and knowledge of: i) value chain management ii) budgeting and finance; iii) procurement; iv) human resources; and v)  administration operations - experience and ability to represent an organization to external stakeholders including donors, GoIRA, and other development agencies - demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given – extremely high level of discretion;
Planning & Organizing - Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
Management – Ability to manage staff and contribute to the skills and capacity building;
Communications - Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including ability to explain and present program support services-related information/requirements and prepare written documents/communications in a clear, concise style;
Technology Awareness - Highly developed computer skills using Word, Excel, PowerPoint 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;

Abilities

Knowledge of private sector and market development, in particular of carpet value chain approaches;
Knowledge of regional private sector, support market and enabling institutions, especially in the carpet industry;
Knowledge of GoIRA and other International Agencies are beneficial;
Strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills;
Outstanding communication skills in English;
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, be flexible, and effectively lead a team in a high pressure working environment;
Willingness to enhance knowledge through training and personal initiative;
Willingness and ability to travel in rural areas of Afghanistan.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to the RED Unit Manager and guidance from Executive Director and Deputy Director of Program Operation.

Female Candidates are highly Encourage to apply for the position.

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 (1293/019/HRCSD/RETURNESS/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