The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities.

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non- profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries.

AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.

POSITION OBJECTIVE
Economic Inclusion is a key sector within AKF Afghanistan Program addressing 4 key thematic pillars 1. Small and Medium Enterprise and Market Development. 2. Employable Skills development 3. Promotion of Renewable Energy 4. Financial Inclusion with objective of work, employment, private sector engagement, linking rural communities with local, national and regional broad markets and providing access to finance opportunity to marginal and vulnerable communities.
As of now the focus of access to finance was in the informal sector financial support through Community Based Saving Groups [CBSG] and CBSG clusters. With changing realities, donor priorities and financial need of communities, economic inclusion is expanding access to finance scope to providing affordable loans to the successful microenterprises for upscaling their business through formal financial institutions as there are significant number of enterprises they have matured and in a stage of taking bigger risk of expanding their business. These micro enterprises were supported with equipment and material support in the past under value chain development or skill development.

The proposed new position of Regional Officer, Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Financing, plays a critical role of supporting Regional Coordinator MSEF, in promoting financial inclusion by facilitating access to finance for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). The role involves understanding the financial needs of MSEs, providing advisory services, and liaising with financial institutions to ensure that the entrepreneurs receive suitable financial products and services. The officer will also play an integral role in monitoring, evaluating, and ensuring proper utilization of financial resources by MSE clients.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
    Client Identification and Assessment
•    Support Regional Coordinator MSEF in Identifying and engaging potential SME clients through field visits, community outreach, and partnership networks.
 
•    Evaluate business risks, market trends, and competition to develop tailored solutions for each SME.
•    To assist in preparing detailed reports on the financial and operational performance of SME clients, highlighting successes, challenges, and areas of improvement.
•    Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices from SME engagements for internal knowledge sharing and external reporting.
  Business Development and Advisory Services
•    Provide guidance to SMEs on business planning, financial management, market strategy, and operational improvements.
•    Assist in conducting workshops and training sessions for SME clients on topics such as financial literacy, budgeting, cash flow management, and credit management.
•    Assist Regional Coordinator MSEF in liaising with banks, microfinance institutions, and other financial service providers to facilitate access to financing for SME clients.
•    Ensure that SMEs are equipped with the necessary knowledge to effectively manage and utilize the funds they receive.
  Observing and Appraisal
•    Observing the financial and operational performance of SME clients post-financing to ensure proper use of funds and business growth.
•    Identify challenges faced by SMEs and provide recommendations for mitigating risks and improving business performance.
  Stakeholder and Relationship Building
•    Assist in fostering partnerships between SMEs and relevant service providers, such as suppliers, consultants, and business development service providers.
  Capacity Building and Training
•    Organize capacity-building initiatives for SMEs, focusing on skills development in areas such as business planning, financial management, product development, and marketing.
•    Support internal and external trainers to deliver workshops that address key challenges faced by SMEs, such as accessing finance, scaling operations, and entering new markets.
•    Provide one-on-one coaching and mentorship to SME clients to improve their business acumen and capacity for growth.
  Risk Management
•    Support Regional Coordinator MSEF in assessing and mitigating financial and operational risks associated with providing financing to SMEs.
•    To carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF (Afg)'s commitment to safeguarding staff, beneficiaries and protecting children from harm and abuse in accordance with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding policy.
•    To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
•    These deliverables focus on supporting MSEs through assessment, advisory, financing, monitoring, and relationship management
•    Support in identifying and onboarding MSE clients, assess their financial needs.
•    Support in organizing capacity-building workshops and training sessions to enhance financial literacy and business skills among MSE clients.
•    Provide business advice and training to improve financial management and growth.
•    Assist in completing all documentation for securing loans and financial products for MSEs.
•    Track and report on the financial health and progress of MSE clients.

JOB SPECIFICATION
•    Individual with a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting or related field.
•    Proficiency in English and Dari or Pashto is required.
•    At least 2 years of experience in SME development, microfinance, business advisory, or financial services in Afghanistan. Individuals with experience of banking sector SME finance will have preference.
•    The ideal candidate should possess a deep understanding of SMEs' financial needs, challenges, and opportunities, along with experience in loan processing, financial product development, or SME-focused banking services. must have strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with SMEs, financial institutions, and partners, as well as knowledge of local financial regulations and practices impacting SMEs.
REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
The candidate must have the ability to work with different people and in different working circumstances.
•    Effective communication and training skills to discuss and negotiate agreements on specific issues with a variety of partners.
•    Skill of working in a team and as an individual.
•    Good writing skills to draft project progress reports and other required documents.

Application
Applicants meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a cover letter along with their CV and the names of three references electronically to takhar.hr@akdn.org no later than 04th March 2025 or submit hard copy to AKF Afghanistan, Takhar Regional Office,: PD-1, Sarak-e- Maktab Tajerbawy Sayed Abdurrahman Shaheed, Close to Haji Wazir Hafiz Baik House, Taloqan City, Takhar Province, Afghanistan.

Important Notes:
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying.
•    No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage.
•    Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
•    Salary scale: Grade E based on NTA Salary scale.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge.

Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: takhar.hr@akdn.org. Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.

Aga Khan Foundation - Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AKF
 
(Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times.

By sharing your cover letter and resume with AKF (Afg) in response to this job application, applicants consent AKF (Afg) to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AKF Afghanistan to AKFA.HR@akdn.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.