Qualifications and Experience
- Education:
- Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional certifications (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CFA) are highly desirable.
- Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in financial analysis, credit assessment, SME finance, microfinance, or investment advisory.
- Demonstrated experience in evaluating business financials, loan applications, and financial sustainability.
- Experience working with MSMEs in Afghanistan or similar contexts, with an understanding of local economic and financial challenges.
- Familiarity with gender-sensitive financial analysis is an advantage.
- Skills and Competencies:
- Strong analytical and numerical skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to interpret financial statements and assess credit risk.
- Excellent judgment and impartiality.
- Fluency in English (reporting) and Dari/Pashto (evaluation and communication).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
- Preferred:
- Previous experience serving on selection or evaluation committees for UNDP, UN agencies, banks, or microfinance institutions.
- Knowledge of renewable energy financing or green loans is a plus.
Duration and Working Schedule
- Total working days: 20 days
- The assignment will be conducted within the project timeline, with sessions held in Kabul or virtually as required.
- Daily sessions will involve the financial evaluation of approximately 20 MSME proposals.
Reporting Lines
The Financial Specialist will report directly to the Selection Committee Chair and will work closely with other committee members, including the Business Development Specialist, Solar Energy Specialist, UNDP representative, AREP representative, and private sector partner. All final decisions and reports are subject to UNDP approval.
Deliverables
- Completed financial scoring sheets for all assigned MSME proposals.
- Written assessment of each MSME’s financial viability and loan readiness.
- Contribution to the final selection committee report with a financial due diligence summary.
- A signed confirmation of adherence to confidentiality and ethical guidelines.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
The Specialist must adhere to UNDP’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), fraud, and corruption. Any breach of ethical conduct will result in immediate termination of the assignment.
