International Program Advisor for Enterprise Development and Market Linkages - (Re-announced)

About WEE-RDP/MRRD:

The Mission of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) is to ensure the social, economic, and political welfare of rural society, especially 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 in the areas of governance, infrastructure and economic growth.

Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Program (AREDP) over the years while working for overall Enterprise development in five provinces, has consciously involved more women in its program. The program has facilitated women to build on their economic security through participation in Savings groups, Enterprise Development, Village Level Savings Groups (VSLAs), SMEs, etc. The fact that the overall women participation in AREDP program is about 58% on a weighted index, it talks volume on its intervention strategies and approach for women economic empowerment.

With the Government of Afghanistan’s step towards strengthening WEE and thereby taking up WEE-NPP ( Women Economic Empowerment – National Priority Program ), which is much more inclusive and one of its pillar is WEE-RDP ( Women Economic Empowerment-Rural Development Program ), AREDP with its experiences and successes so far, looking forward to be more systemic in its approach and work in partnership at all levels of its intervention and strengthen the business service providers and institutions in general and those of Women focused in particular.  AREDP while transitioning to WEE-RDP, would be more of a facilitating agency and involve Implementing Partners (IPs) & Facilitating Partners (FPs) who have been strengthened by Citizen Charter for overall growth of the rural economy.

WEE-RDP is designed to be a more women centric program and it would be scaled up to 34 provinces with better institutional alignment with WEE-NPP objectives. The new project intends to build on the overall experience of AREDP and would simultaneously leverage the institutional platform of CDCs established & nurtured under ongoing Citizen Charter program of MRRD. Under WEE-RDP, greater emphasis is being given to collaborating with non-governmental institutions, private sector entities, service providers and organizations and civil society organizations (CSOs) in implementation of project activities while fostering partnerships with both the public and private sector to leverage technical resources and access to finance. Synergies will also be built among potential government organizations (e.g. MoWA, MoLSAMD, MoCI, MAIL etc) and non-government and civil society organizations. The project will follow a demand-driven/market-led approach to establish market linkages at the national, provincial and local levels and special emphasis will be given to identify & support women centric sub-sectors.  Women led enterprises   and its further aggregation to higher level institutions will be promoted under WEE-RDP.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Advisor will work in the Executive Director’s Office of WEE-RDP.
The Advisor initially work with CMID and A2F as well assisting Executive Director and the senior management of WEE-RDP in the strategic management of the program, formulation and implementation of policies,
Translating strategic goals into operational planning,
 Development of fund raising strategy, and coordination with other national programs.
Concentrating on the sustainability of WEE-RDP, aligning strategic operations to impact based indicators mentioned in the WEE-RDP Project Appraisal Document and Operation Manual.

Job Description:

International Program Advisor  

DETAILED DUTIES AND TASKS:

The international Program Advisor is responsible for:

Strategically assist the EDML unit in establishing active SMEs will be utilized to support the development of EGs that are limited in spread and only have potentials/niche for local space or semi-urban markets.
Assist the EDML unit on the SMEs which will be serving as BDSPs (in addition to using individual Consultants as BDSPs) and provide technical support, mentoring and market linkage for the EGs. These SMEs can also serve as off-takers for the products of the EGs and can initiate a contractual business linkage through business plan development, to commence sustainable partnership with the EGs.
Assist the EDML unit’s staff on the development of business plans for women EG’s product development which will identify common assets/ activities that can be supported through Catalytic fund which will be provided by the WEE-RDP and in the future through other funding sources.
Assist the EDML on the development of business plan which will be the basis for the release of catalytic funds for EGs or PAs.
Assist the EDML in identifying big players’/Agribusiness firms in the selected value chains that can serve as a last mile market link for the EGs and PAs.
Develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the Value Chain of WEE-RDP groups production
Closely working with of WEE-RDP Units and senior management, by providing substantive advice and information, on translating strategic goals and vision into operational planning and activities
Assist the Executive Director’s Office in reviewing and providing feedback to proposed policies, proposals and project documents submitted from the Operations Office.
Analysis and assess the WEE-RDP’s role in ANPDF, ANDS and ARD sector strategies and provide policy recommendations to WEE-RDP management.
Ensure that activities of WEE-RDP are coordinated with other national development programs and are in line with MRRD’s strategic approach and plan.
Assist EDML and A2F in the development of mutual cooperation procedures synchronizing the Seed Grant and Catalytic Fund flowing through A2F to WEE-RDP group.
Expedite the development and operationalizing the Value Chain strategy deemed by the World Bank for EGs, PAs and IE as well develop Provincial/Regional Strategic Assessment document for the support of noted groups
Prepare project proposals in the required formats for potential new donors and/or potential new grants or additional funds to existing grants.
Assist the Executive Director’s Office in over-seeing the services provided by the International Consultants in the WEE-RDP management structure.
Organize regular Donor Coordination meetings, seeking donor input for agenda items. Facilitate the donor supervision missions.
Assist EDML and WEE-RDP management in organizing sub-national, national and international exhibition for the EGs, PAs and IE
Establish a close relationship with the WEE-RDP MIS department, to take program information from the database for use as the central planning and reporting tool to MRRD, other government ministries
Support the WEE-RDP Communications Department with the development of a program communications strategy.
Perform any other duties related to the program, as requested.

Job Requirements:

Knowledge/Experience:

Post-graduate level degree in program management, development studies, community development, business administration, or related field

Minimum of 10 years of work experience, a significant portion of which should have been in program management design, rural development, and project implementation
Professionalism – Proven management experience of a large development operation

Management – Ability to manage staff and contribute to the skills development and capacity building;
Communications - Excellent communication skills and ability to present well
Teamwork - Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work with stakeholders’ Good skills in English, Dari and Pashto required

Abilities:

Must have and present valid health certificate and personal insurance
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to determine and review priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to work in a high pressure environment;
Ability to work independently and also as an effective team member
Professionalism in appearance and demeanor.
Willingness to travel to provinces in Afghanistan.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to the Executive Director of WEE-RDP

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 (1535/020/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