CARE is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian humanitarian organization, extending its relief and development assistance to those in need. CARE, as an International Confederation of 13 member organizations is one of the world's largest private humanitarian organizations working in more than 90 plus, countries committed to helping communities in the developing world achieve lasting victories over poverty.

1. Summary of Key Functions:

The position will be responsible for facilitating the implementation of UN Women - Promotion of Women-Owned Businesses (WOBs) Access to Financial Services project by partners in Afghanistan. The role includes ensuring that the technical provisions of the project are followed, that partners have the capacity and required information to implement the project, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements as outlined in the project agreement.  The position holder reports to Women Economic Empowerment Program Manager.

2. Expected Functions

• Schedule and conduct regular field visits to assigned sites to ensure quality standards are being met including ensuring that partners utilize the budgets as agreed, have the professional human resources, financial/resources, and logistically have the resources required for the successful implementation of the project.
• Monitor work progress and provide feedback and coaching to partners as needed.
• Assist with the development and implementation of action plans to improve performance at underperforming sites by partners.
• Assist partners in project operations to achieve targets and objectives outlined in project scopes and documents.
• Prepare reports on field activities and submit them to program management on a regular basis.
• Assist partners with timely reporting submissions and provide necessary feedback to them.  
• Identify training needs for field staff and inform the technical team to arrange for appropriate workshops and provide on-the-job support to the team.
• Support partners in implementing this project to optimize the quality and efficiency of their outputs and to maintain a high degree of project quality.
• Provide technical support to partners in the establishment and running of VSLA and ensure that women-led businesses are supported.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with all key stakeholders to ensure coordination, partnership, and mutual support.
• Generate evidence-based learning, documentation, and reports from project implementation to inform future programming.
• Ensure coordination of project activities with Provincial Managers.
• Ensures that the project is integrated into other projects in the provinces and ensures that partners have a robust monitoring and evaluation system.

3. Duties and responsibilities

• Assist the Program Manager and Partnership Advisor in supporting partners with budget management, partner capacity building, and compliance with UN Women requirements.
• Provide partners with VSLA technical training and mentor them as they establish and monitor the activities of VSLA groups.
• Ensure that partners establish and train VSLA groups and support women-led businesses.
• Support partners in the identification of women entrepreneurs and support them with the identification of their needs and provide appropriate support which leads to strong Women-led businesses. 
• Monitor the work of partners against set targets and milestones and proactively report on areas that need the attention of the Partnership and Liaison Manager and Partnership Advisor.
• Prepare and conduct partner visits in coordination with the provincial teams.
• Ensure that partners implement all activities on time.   
• Conduct partner capacity assessments and develop capacity-building plans with the participation of partners.
• Support partners in developing quality reports and collate partner reports before sharing the reports with the Partnership Advisor. Each partner will develop its reports which are shared with the Senior Project Officer.
• Support and organize donor visits, as appropriate, in coordination with implementing partners.
• Link partners with the Partnership and Liaison Manager when they need support in CARE and externally.
• Support Partnership and Liaison team to facilitate project coordination meetings among partners.

4. Key relations          

• Report to the Women Economic Empowerment Program Manager.
• Collaborate with the PLM, provincial teams, Program Coordinators, Finance, and other CARE departments.     
• Contribute to all new initiatives, data collection, and gathering the relevant data and information.

5. Duty Locations: Kabul with frequent travels to provinces (more than 75%)

6. Key Results Expected 

• Implementation of a quality project that complies with donor and CARE policies in terms of timing and spending.
• Strong relationships between CARE and partners are built and the partners’ capacity is built to implement similar projects in the future.
• The Senior Project Officer works directly with the Partnership and Liaison Manager, partnership Advisor, and provincial team in the implementation of the project.  
• The Senior Project Officer will be expected to travel to provinces to provide technical assistance to partners.

• Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Uphold CARE’s Safeguarding Policy (https://www.care-international.org/resources/care-international-safeguarding-policy) and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• Must read the Safeguarding Policy and either sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct or sign a Code of Conduct that is consistent with or references this policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

• Safety and Security Responsibility:

  We all have a responsibility to promote a safe and secure work environment, foster a safety and security culture, and ensure consistent application of, and compliance with, CARE Afghanistan safety and security policies and procedures.

4. Core Competencies:

• Enthusiastic and goal-oriented.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Good understanding of community development issues.
• Gender sensitivity.
• Willingness to work in demanding and insecure environments.
• Willingness to travel.

5. Education: 

• University graduate in Economics, Business Management, public administration, law, or any other relevant professional qualifications.

6. Work Experience and skills

• At least three years of work experience in supporting women-led businesses.
• Having worked in a similar position with national and/or international organizations.
• Experience in establishing and managing VSLA groups is a plus.
• Excellent skills in building strong partnerships and capacity building.
• Experience in implementing women-led business projects with strong safeguarding experience.  
• Ability to meet deadlines and to work independently.

7. Languages Skills:

• Very good in written and spoken Dari/Pashto and English languages.

Safeguarding

CARE places human dignity at the center of its relief and development work. At the heart of CARE’s efforts to impact poverty and social justice is its engagement with marginalized communities, and vulnerable adults and children. Vulnerable adults and children are particularly at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. CARE commits to the protection from sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse and of vulnerable adults and children, involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel. CARE has a zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. CARE takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse and child abuse involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel

CARE Afghanistan  participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we hereby request information from candidate’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. All CARE Afghanistan’s offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

• Please submit your completed CARE Standard Job application form (ACBAR: Application Form) to afg.vacancies@care.org.
• Applications after the closing date (12:00 AM) and without CARE Application form will not be accepted.
• Please Indicate the position title, Vacancy Number in the Subject Line (Senior Project Officer CARE-AF-0981 Kabul) otherwise your application will not be considered.
• Please note that there is no telephonic inquiry and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted with and call for Interview.
• The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background Check, Bridger check & Reference check and be compliant and sign up to Care Afghanistan’s Code of Conduct, PSHA (Prevention from Sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse) and other Care Afghanistan policies prior to a final offer being made.
• People with Physical Disabilities and Women are highly encourage to apply.
• CARE IS COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING POLICY (Available at: Safeguarding)
• CARE IS COMMITTED TO CODE OF CONDUCT (Available at: CARE Afg Code of Conduct (updated).pdf)