SME Client Support Afghanistan LLC (“SCSA”) is a consulting and service company registered with the General Directorate of Central Business Registry & Intellectual Property with its headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. SCSA is fully owned by ACGF - Afghan Credit Guarantee Foundation (“ACGF”), a foundation with legal incorporation in Cologne. ACGF is a credit guarantee fund with the mission to improve access to finance for Afghanistan’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (“MSMEs”) by sharing the credit risk of the Afghan partner financial institutions (“PIs”) and by improving their MSME lending capacity with technical assistance (“TA”). ACGF was founded in 2014 by DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. Governed by a service contract concluded between ACGF and SCSA. SCSA provides a broad range of ancillary services in the context of ACGF’s credit guarantee and technical assistance operations. SCSA is a consulting company, not a financial institution. It neither provides any financial services nor does it have contractual relationships with the Afghan PIs. SCSA solely acts as a service provider to ACGF by carrying out a range of various services, e.g., providing ongoing technical assistance to PIs (e.g., training-on-the-job and coaching of SME credit staff) or providing support services for the credit guarantee appraisal and guarantee claim appraisal.

Besides the above-mentioned credit guarantees, ACGF has started two projects: MSME Access to Finance for Livelihoods in Afghanistan (MALA), funded by the European Union (EU) and supporting the implementation of a Matching Grants Programme for MSMEs in Afghanistan; and Empowering Microfinance and Enterprises for Resilience and Growth (EMERGe), funded by World Bank and aiming to build sustainable solutions for developing both the demand for and supply of finance for micro and small enterprises in Afghanistan, prioritizing women's financial inclusion.

Under both projects, TA is provided to Afghan PIs to enhance their capacity for providing lending products that respond to MSMEs' financing needs and are compliant with the regulatory environment; as well as to support them as they transition operationally to the Islamic finance model and the provision of Shariah-compliant products.

Purpose of Position

With the implementation of the above-mentioned programs (MALA and EMERGe), ACGF and SCSA are looking for a dedicated and experienced Procurement Officer to join our team in Kabul. The successful candidate will thoroughly know the principles of procurement and will be able to manage the procurement processes, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, as well as donor regulations. This role involves handling all procurement activities from initiating a procurement to delivery, negotiating with suppliers, and ensuring the timely and cost-effective purchase of goods and services necessary for the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work of the Procurement Officer covers the following specific areas:

• Oversee the entire procurement cycle, including sourcing, tendering, purchasing, and contracting for goods and services at SCSA.
• Ensure that all procurement activities comply with organizational policies, donor regulations, and international standards.
• Develop and maintain a supplier database and build reliable relationships with vendors.
• Coordinate with SCSA managers (and employees when needed) to understand procurement needs and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing agreements to obtain the best value for the organization.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance and address any issues that may arise.
• Ensuring and maintaining proper documentation and records of all procurement transactions.
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in the procurement processes.
• Assist in budget planning related to procurement and provide regular updates on procurement expenditures. Also, documents procurement-related cost savings and expenditures to support budget adherence.
• Prepare regular reports on procurement activities, savings, and supplier performance for management review.
• Assist in the development, review, and update of procurement policies and procedures. Being informed about commerce best practices and suggesting improvements to enhance procurement efficiency.
• Efficiently identify and address procurement-related challenges promptly to maintain operational continuity.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, finance and/or accounting, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in HR, finance, support staff, or organizational roles, preferably with an international NGO or development organization in Afghanistan, (not a mandatory requirement).
• Experience in procurement is an advantage.
• Knowledge of procurement principles, policies, regulations, and procedures, including familiarity with donor-funded projects (e.g., World Bank, EU, USAID) is a plus.
• Good negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Fluency in English and local languages (Dari and/or Pashto) is required.

Please apply online here and include a 1-page cover letter, CV, and 3 references.

Please mention “Application for the position of “Procurement Officer (SCSA LLC/2024/191)” in the subject line of the cover letter.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.