District Officer - Enterprise Development and Market Linkages (BDSP)

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 District Officer (DO) will be based at the district and shall manage all activities of Enterprise Development and Market Linkages (EDML) Unit at the district level, which generally includes enterprise development and capacity building activities focused in the district.

This position is based on the concept of Business Development Services Provider (BDSP) and the salary payment will be made against deliverables performance.

Job Description:

Implement EDML Unit’s district plan as per the ToR and achieve the designated deliverables in coordination with District Coordinator (DC) and EDML unit Regional Officer (RO).
Mobilizing Saving Groups (SGs) and Self-Help Groups( SHGs) members in coordination with Community Mobilization and Institution Development (CMID) and Access to Finance (A2F) Units’ Officers to establish Enterprise Groups (EGs).
Mobilizing and formation of Producers Associations (PAs) from EGs in the same value chain or production activities which have growth potentials in the district or province. 
Develop business plans, technical feasibility studies, maturity assessments for EGs and PAs.
Develop and provide capacity building trainings in coordination with DC and RO to the already registered EGs and PAs including book keeping, accounting, marketing, labeling, packaging, product development, inventory management, environmental and social safeguard, on the job training, management, business administration and etc.
Organizing, arranging and leading exhibitions for EGs and PAs in coordination with DC and RO at district, province and region level.
Establish market linkages (forward and backward) for sustainable business development of the EGs and PAs.
Assist EGs and PAs in product development, promotion, packaging and quality improvement.
Assessment of the EGs and PAs in coordination with DC and RO for catalytic grant.
Support EGs and PAs in certification, registration and membership with agencies, bodies, federations etc for business capacity building and partnerships.
Assist and cooperate with A2F unit to solve financial needs of the EGs and PAs
Assist DC and RO in developing annual, monthly, and weekly work plans for the smooth operation of activities at the district level.
Regular data collection and updating MIS.
Assist and cooperate with M&E unit and regularly update M&E data.
Undertake field visits, assessing situations, providing feedback and necessary support to DC and RO leading towards effective and quality implementation of program for EGs and PAs.
Regularly monitor and field visit of the EGs and PAs and provide necessary guidance for betterment of their business
Prepare regular success stories and case studies of EGs and PAs
Regular reporting to the provincial and main offices
Perform any other activities given by main/provincial offices

Job Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

 Knowledge/Experience

4 years experiences in business development activities at field level with GoA institution, an NGO, or a development agency in Afghanistan.
Minimum a Bachelor Degree from any recognized University in Business Administration (Major in Business Development or Marketing), Management and Commerce, Social Science.
Computer skills (Office)
Excellent in English (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) required
Fluency in written and spoken Dari/Pashto
Experience in training, business development, capacity building, and system set-ups follow-up and monitoring and administrative management will be an advantage.

 Abilities

Ability to multi-task, be flexible, and effectively lead a team in a high pressure working environment;
Professionalism in appearance and demeanor

Willingness to enhance knowledge through training and personal initiative

Willingness and ability to travel in rural areas of 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 (1562/020/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