Value Chain & MSME Advisor (Retainer)
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established in 1995, with a mission to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS provides project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a variety of partners, including UN agencies, international financial institutions, governments, and the private sector. The organization operates in over 80 countries, employing more than 1,500 personnel, and is committed to delivering high-quality services that meet the needs of its partners and beneficiaries. UNOPS focuses on sustainable development, ensuring that its projects align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to long-term positive impacts in the communities it serves.
Job Overview:
The Value Chain & MSME Advisor (Retainer) position is a senior-level role that involves providing expert technical leadership and policy guidance to the Private Sector Resilience Project (PSRP), which is financed by the World Bank. The advisor will work on a milestone-driven basis, offering support in designing, managing, and monitoring value chain matching grant structures and early-stage business acceleration funnels. The role requires a deep understanding of value chain development and MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) growth, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. The advisor will ensure that interventions are commercially viable and will lead quality assurance of value-chain mappings while collaborating with implementing partners to deliver capacity-building and technical assistance activities. This position is home-based but may require missions to Kabul, Afghanistan, and is open to both national and international applicants.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess a Master's degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Private Sector Development, or a related field, along with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with at least 9 years of relevant experience is acceptable. Relevant certifications in financial services, including regulatory compliance, are desired. Candidates should have a strong background in value chain and MSME development, with broad-based technical expertise in at least two relevant sectors such as agribusiness, light manufacturing, or health sectors. Experience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts is preferred, as well as familiarity with projects financed by the World Bank or similar international finance institutions.
Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, or Private Sector Development, with at least 7 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience is acceptable. Additional certifications in financial services are considered a plus.
Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in value chain and MSME development is required. Candidates should have broad-based technical expertise and a track record in at least two relevant sectors. Experience in private sector and MSME development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts is desired, along with direct experience in designing, administering, or monitoring matching grant schemes or similar funding mechanisms. Familiarity with the economic, political, and social context of Afghanistan is advantageous.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.
Additional Notes:
This is a home-based retainer position with a contract duration of one year. The position is classified at the senior level (ICS 11) and is open to both national and international applicants. The application deadline is set for October 29, 202
UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established in 1995, with a mission to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS provides project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a variety of partners, including UN agencies, international financial institutions, governments, and the private sector. The organization operates in over 80 countries, employing more than 1,500 personnel, and is committed to delivering high-quality services that meet the needs of its partners and beneficiaries. UNOPS focuses on sustainable development, ensuring that its projects align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to long-term positive impacts in the communities it serves.
Job Overview:
The Value Chain & MSME Advisor (Retainer) position is a senior-level role that involves providing expert technical leadership and policy guidance to the Private Sector Resilience Project (PSRP), which is financed by the World Bank. The advisor will work on a milestone-driven basis, offering support in designing, managing, and monitoring value chain matching grant structures and early-stage business acceleration funnels. The role requires a deep understanding of value chain development and MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) growth, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. The advisor will ensure that interventions are commercially viable and will lead quality assurance of value-chain mappings while collaborating with implementing partners to deliver capacity-building and technical assistance activities. This position is home-based but may require missions to Kabul, Afghanistan, and is open to both national and international applicants.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Technical Advisory: Serve as the principal technical expert on value chain support and MSME development for the PSRP project. Provide expert advice and guidance to the Senior Programme Manager (SPM) and project team on relevant areas of the project. Conduct quality assurance reviews of value chain mapping exercises, diagnostic reports, and sourcing studies developed by implementing partners.
- Implementation Support: Collaborate with implementing partners to formulate detailed eligibility, evaluation, and selection grids for Value Chain Groups (VCGs). Design and audit pro-rata matching fund structures for VCG projects, ensuring grants match private co-investments. Contribute to the development and implementation of robust technical verification and on-site monitoring protocols.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: Liaise with implementing partners on technical matters related to value chain support and MSME development. Engage with technical stakeholders in the World Bank and IFC, ensuring PSRP representation in discussions and working groups. Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders for effective collaboration.
- Technical Review: Review and provide technical input on terms of reference (ToRs), tender documents, and proposals for specialized technical services.
- Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: Contribute to knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives within UNOPS and with project partners. Develop and deliver training programs on private sector development topics. Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices from the project. Conduct field visits to assess the effectiveness of interventions and provide on-site technical assistance. Support the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track project outcomes and impact.
- Ensure gender and social inclusion considerations are integrated into all aspects of project design and implementation.
Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess a Master's degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Private Sector Development, or a related field, along with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with at least 9 years of relevant experience is acceptable. Relevant certifications in financial services, including regulatory compliance, are desired. Candidates should have a strong background in value chain and MSME development, with broad-based technical expertise in at least two relevant sectors such as agribusiness, light manufacturing, or health sectors. Experience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts is preferred, as well as familiarity with projects financed by the World Bank or similar international finance institutions.
Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, or Private Sector Development, with at least 7 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience is acceptable. Additional certifications in financial services are considered a plus.
Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in value chain and MSME development is required. Candidates should have broad-based technical expertise and a track record in at least two relevant sectors. Experience in private sector and MSME development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts is desired, along with direct experience in designing, administering, or monitoring matching grant schemes or similar funding mechanisms. Familiarity with the economic, political, and social context of Afghanistan is advantageous.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.
Additional Notes:
This is a home-based retainer position with a contract duration of one year. The position is classified at the senior level (ICS 11) and is open to both national and international applicants. The application deadline is set for October 29, 202
- UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. Candidates should be aware that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and that background checks are conducted for all final candidates.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.