National Lead, Accelerate Prosperity Afghanistan

About Agha Khan Foundation

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.

At present, it is seeking exceptional individuals or firms to fill the vacant position of National Lead, Accelerate Prosperity Afghanistan.

Job Summary

The National Lead is responsible for overall management and running of AP in Afghanistan. The National Lead identifies his/her in-country team structure to achieve intended results, and in line with generally accepted Key Performance Indicators. The National Lead reports to the regional AP Executive Director, and regional AP Executive Committee (ExCom), comprised of senior managers from Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development - Industrial promotion services [AKFED IPS] and Aga Khan Foundation [AKF (Afg)], for program strategy and direction, performance, and all business financing decisions. In Afghanistan, the AP National Lead reports to the Program Director on project contextualization, Project design and implementation, operational performance, donor and legal compliance, and stake holder management. 

The main objectives of the National Lead are three folds:

• Management of AP Afghanistan, including program and investment portfolio quality.
• Donor and grant management, including resource mobilization, oversight and compliance.
• Strategic engagement, including local partnerships and legal compliance.

Oversight of the National Lead toward these objectives is shared between the Program Director and the AP Executive Director / ExCom. Whilst the Executive Director leads oversight of objective 1, including program strategy and financing decisions; the Program Director and AKF leadership lead oversight of objectives 2 and 3 in Afghanistan. The National Lead will work in close coordination with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders to accomplish these objectives. Based in Kabul, he/she will be required to travel to AP program provinces and to other AKF/AKDN country units (Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.) as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities

Objective 1: Management of AP Afghanistan, including program and investment portfolio quality

1.   Program Start-up:

          i.   Contextualize AP approach and lead recruitment for establishing AP country team. 

          ii.   Overall responsible for management of AP Afghanistan Team at Kabul and Regional offices.

2.   Contextualize AKF (Afg) policies and guidelines for AP finance, human resouces, procurement, safeguarding etc. and ensuring compliance.

3.   Contextualize AP business financing / investment policy and due diligience guidelines, in line with Afghansitan context and business enabling environment. 

4.   Program Delivery: oversee design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of AP’s services to startup and Small and Growing Businesses [SGBs] in Afghanistan, including entrepreneurship awareness-raising and inspiration / ideation events, business plan and financial model development, training and technical assistance to start-ups and SGBs, business mentorship, as well as virtual acceleration (online) activities.

5.   Catalyze entrepreneurship and SGBs in target geographies, benefiting youth, women and men.

6.   Build and manage an AP Investment Advisory Committee (IAC) in Afghanistan to support business screening, selection and due diligence processes.

7.   Oversee business financing decisions, including IAC reviews and final approvals from AP ExCom, financing deployment, use of funds by entrepreneurs, and repayments.

8.   Facilitating access to new sources of capital and technical assistance from partners, including banks, SME Funds, and business service providers.

9.   Develop systems for strategic financing and portfolio oversight.

10. Regular reporting to the AP Executive Director and ExCom on AP performance and strategic matters.

Objective 2: Donor and grant management, including resource mobilization, oversight and compliance

1.   Fundraising: Manage AP’s financing strategy and resource mobilization efforts, including co-designing new projects for partner donors and corporate sponsors, with support of AKF (Afg) and AP ExCom.

2.   Develop detailed Project Implementation Plans for each donor grant, to ensure timely implementation of activities, according to donor requirements.

3.   Budget planning for projects, work planning, and reporting per donor and internal requirements.

4.   Establish and ensure adhered to effective monitoring, evaluation and learning practices.

5.   Ensure quality grant reports prepared and timely submission to the donors according to the contract.

6.   Oversight of all AP Afghanistan budget utilization, in compliance with policies and plans.

Objective 3: Strategic engagement, including local partnerships and legal compliance

1.   Develop effective financial, human resources and operational structures that are consistent with AKDN’s internal policies and ethical standards and that meet current laws and regulations of Afghanistan and donor agencies.

2.   Lead AP’s engagement and coordination with AKDN stakeholders in Afghanistan - AKF (Afg), AKFED (IPS), Roshan, University of Central Asia, the First Microfinance Bank and AKDN.

3.   Lead AP’s engagement of external stakeholders - International Donor Community, Government of Afghanistan Ministries such as Economy, Commerce and industry, MOLSAD, as well as agencies such as the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and industry (ACCI).

4.   Represent AP Afghanistan in National and International forums.

5.   Engagement with other stakeholders – SME Funds and global technical partners, mentor networks in Afgahnistan and outside country, in consultation with AKF leadership and AP ExCom.

6.   Manage AP local legal reviews and consultations to determine and lead potential AP registration in Afghanistan, in close consultation with AKF (Afg) Management and AP ExCom, including best-fit legal structure, development of AP Charter, and other necessary steps.  

7.   If / when AP is legally registered in Afghanistan, ensure it remains in full compliance will all legal and regulatory requirements across all relevant ministries of Government. 

8.   Carries out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF(Afg)’s commitment to protecting children in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy.

Occasional Significant Duties

·        Any other task as may be required and/or given by the AP Executive Committee or Board.

Decision making and authority

·        Accountable for all operations in the Accelerate Prosperity Afghanistan.

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business, Economics, Corporate law or other relevant fields.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in Afghanistan in

a)   Leading Diverse team of professionals in financial/ banking/economic development sector.

b)   Sound business acumen and entrepreneurial disposition.

c)   Designing and delivering entrepreneurship programming.

d)   International trade and cross border trade environment.

• Familiarity with Afghanistan demography and business environment.
• Proficiency in English and Dari or Pashto.

Required core competencies

a)   Leading Diverse team of professionals in financial/ banking/economic development sector.

b)   Sound business acumen and entrepreneurial disposition.

c)   Designing and delivering entrepreneurship programming.

d)   International trade and cross border trade environment.

Submission Guideline

Application

Interested applicants should submit their application along with the cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 27^th September 2020.

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.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and safeguarding of children, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees in accordance with AKF(Afg)’s safeguarding policy.

Your details and information shared on this advertisement shall remain confidential.

Functional Area

Business Development and Growth

Countries

Submission Email

Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org

Attachments

National lead, Accelerate prosperity Afg.pdf

Apply Now