Background: The Afghanistan Women's Fund for Resilient Enterprises - AWFRE, supported by UN Women and implemented in partnership with Afghan Youth Services Organization - AYSO, purposes to strengthen women-led micro and small enterprises through entrepreneurship development, financial literacy, mentorship, business networking, market linkages, and improved access to financial services.
The project seeks to enhance the economic resilience of women entrepreneurs through the establishment of Sherkat Enterprise Clusters, capacity building initiatives, business advisory services, and engagement with financial institutions, private sector actors, and relevant stakeholders. The Enterprise Development Officer will play a key role in implementing enterprise development interventions and ensuring effective delivery of project activities at the provincial level. The Enterprise Development Officer will support the implementation of enterprise development and women's economic empowerment activities under the AWFRE Project. The incumbent will work directly with women entrepreneurs, women-led enterprise groups, financial institutions, community stakeholders, market actors, AYSO field teams, and UN Women representatives to strengthen women-owned businesses and improve their access to business development services, financial products, and market opportunities. The position will contribute to achieving project outcomes related to entrepreneurship promotion, financial inclusion, enterprise growth, income generation, and sustainable livelihoods for women entrepreneurs in Eastern Afghanistan.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Identify, register, and support women entrepreneurs and project beneficiaries in target areas.
- Facilitate the formation and strengthening of women-led Sherkat Enterprise Clusters and promote peer learning and business collaboration.
- Organize and deliver entrepreneurship, business management, and financial literacy training.
- Provide business mentoring, coaching, and advisory support, including business planning and enterprise growth strategies.
- Facilitate access to financial services by supporting loan readiness and linking beneficiaries with financial institutions and service providers.
- Promote market access and private sector engagement through networking, business linkages, and value chain development initiatives.
- Coordinate project activities with AYSO, UN Women, government authorities, community stakeholders, and private sector partners.
- Collect, maintain, and report project data, beneficiary records, success stories, and project achievements.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, gender equality, PSEA, and organizational policies and standards.
- Perform other relevant duties assigned by the Project Manager to support project objectives.