Women Activities & Social Service Association (WASSA) established in 2002 in Afghanistan, as non-governmental organization, committed to seeking ways for women empowerment in Afghanistan. WASSA aims to promote women equal participation in socio-economic sectors of the country. WASSA works directly with communities in order to bring change in social attitude of the community regarding women.

An envision “Equal participation of women & men in all sectors of the country.

• Equal Opportunities: WASSA is dedicated to offering equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, or disability.
• Safeguarding and Conduct: WASSA will contact previous employers to inquire about any history of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment during the candidate's employment, including incidents under investigation at the time the candidate left. Job offers are conditional on satisfactory reference checks. By applying, candidates confirm they understand and accept these procedures.
• Final Selection: The selected candidate must pass a background check and reference check. They will also be required to sign WASSA's Code of Conduct, PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), Safeguarding, and other relevant policies before receiving a final job offer/contract.

Position Overview:

The Business Development Service Provider will play a crucial role in the implementation of the SME Development Project in Herat, Farah, Ghor, and Badghis provinces. The project aims to support the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in these regions through training, capacity-building initiatives, and access to necessary resources. The Business Development Service Provider will be responsible for providing comprehensive support to medium and small-sized enterprises, including business development training, mentoring, and facilitating access to necessary tools, equipment, and supplies. The role requires strong business acumen, knowledge of SME development, and the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide comprehensive support to medium-sized enterprises in specific locations, including Herat, Badghis, Farah city.
2. Assist entrepreneurs with business ideas, motivation, and potential in establishing their medium-sized enterprises.
3. Deliver business development training and mentoring to medium-sized enterprise owners to enhance their business skills and knowledge.
4. Facilitate access to necessary tools, equipment, and supplies through cash-based assistance to support the establishment and growth of medium-sized businesses.
5. Collaborate with the Project Supervisor and relevant stakeholders to identify potential beneficiaries and their business ideas.
6. Support small-sized enterprises in specific locations, including Herat, Badghis, Farah city, and Firoz Koh.
7. Provide assistance to individuals with business ideas and potential in establishing their small-sized enterprises.
8. Deliver business development training and mentoring to small-sized enterprise owners to enhance their business skills and knowledge.
9. Facilitate access to necessary resources, including training, tools, equipment, and supplies, to support the establishment and growth of small-sized businesses.
10. Ensure inclusivity by providing support to individuals from vulnerable backgrounds, including people with disabilities and those from big-sized households.
11. Collaborate with the Project Supervisor and community Shuras to ensure the selection of eligible and vulnerable beneficiaries.
12. Participate in the beneficiary selection process, including location mapping and skills assessment, to identify potential beneficiaries.
13. Raise public awareness about the project in selected locations to inform the community about available opportunities.
14. Assist with the registration of eligible individuals through the designated system.
15. Collaborate with the beneficiary selection committee to shortlist candidates based on their proposals and conduct face-to-face interviews using a scoring card.
16. Support the finalization of the beneficiary selection process and collection of required documents.
17. Coordinate with selected beneficiaries to sign agreements and ensure the distribution of cash assistance according to the project's plan.
18. Monitor the progress and impact of supported enterprises and provide guidance and support to address challenges and enhance effectiveness.
19. Prepare regular reports on the progress, challenges, and impact of the business development activities.
20. Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in SME development and business management.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in providing business development support to SMEs, preferably in a similar project or context.
• Strong understanding of market demand and supply dynamics and entrepreneurship principles.
• Familiarity with the economic conditions and business landscape of Herat, Farah, Ghor, and Badghis provinces.
• Excellent business acumen and ability to assess and identify business opportunities and challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and beneficiaries.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment.
• Proficiency in business development and management tools and software.
• Fluency in English and local languages is required.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to travel to project locations as needed

• Interested qualified candidates should submit their information/request thourgh this link (https://airtable.com/appRX1eKIuO0P2vKH/shrqS115NAazLshLA).
• Academic certificates or references do not need to be submitted at this time. These will be requested if called for an interview.
• Only short-listed candidates will be invited for written tests and interviews upon project approve.