About Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA)
About DCA
DCA has been working in Afghanistan since 1988, supporting herder and pastoralist communities to build sustainable livelihoods. DCA operates at the intersection of humanitarian response, development, and peacebuilding. DCA's Vision is" Empowered and resilient Afghan farmers and pastoralists, driving sustainable and climate-friendly food production for the People of Afghanistan. Our approach is community-driven and structured around four interlinked pillars:
- Livelihoods and food security
- Extension and training services
- Value chain development
- Institutional capacity strengthening
We mainstream gender equality and One Health approaches across all programs—acknowledging the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, especially in the context of emerging epidemics and zoonotic diseases.
Project Background:
The Crisis Response Initiative Supplementary Financing (CRISF) is an IFAD-financed grant implemented by the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan-Livestock Programs (DCA) to consolidate and scale the results achieved under the earlier CRI and RPSF interventions in Afghanistan. The project responds to persistent rural fragility, climate stress, weak service delivery, and limited access to markets and finance that continue to affect livestock-dependent households.
The first phase will include six-core-provinces, Herat, Kabul, Baghlan, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Logar, covering 30 new districts not supported by previous CRI projects (CRI I and II). In the second phase, the targeting will also include seven non-core provinces, including Bamyan, Wardak, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Parwan, and Kunar, with 59 districts that have already benefited from CRI support but still require longer-term support to achieve sustainable outcomes. In the first phase, the core provinces will receive the full package of support, and in the second phase, the non-core provinces will receive support to address remaining gaps in the value chain approach.
CRISF aims to strengthen livestock value chains through four interlinked components: (i) upstream value chain enhancement; (ii) downstream value chain enhancement; (iii) financial services for value chain expansion; and (iv) project management and institutional strengthening. Cross-cutting attention is given to women’s participation, youth inclusion, nutrition, climate resilience, monitoring, and knowledge management.
Job Description
General Position Summary
The Microfinance Specialist will play a central role in startups and expanding access to financial services for farmers, pastoralists, micro-entrepreneurs, and small businesses involved in the livestock value chain. Working closely with financial institutions, the specialist will help identify eligible beneficiaries, guide them through loan application processes, and support them in developing practical business plans. The role also involves delivering financial literacy and business skills training, ensuring that beneficiaries—particularly women and youth—are well prepared to manage loans responsibly and invest in sustainable income-generating activities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct market assessments and feasibility studies to identify gaps, opportunities, and constraints in rural financial services.
- Develop practical tools, guidelines, and SOPs for microfinance activities.
- Identify, screen and support eligible beneficiaries to access loans using clear selection criteria
- Facilitate strong partnerships with financial institutions (e.g., FMFB, ARB, ACGF)
- Work closely with financial institutions to provide field insights and technical input that help refine loan products to better match the needs and investment cycles of livestock value chain actors.
- Train and mentor beneficiaries (farmers, women, youth, micro-entrepreneurs) on loan application preparation, business planning, repayment schedules, and financial literacy.
- Support development of bankable business plans and investment proposals.
- Apply practical approaches in inclusion of women and youth by ensuring gender-sensitive approaches.
- Conduct regular monitoring visits and evaluations to track lessons and best practices.
- Prepare and share high-quality reports for internal and donor use to the superviser.
- Work closely with the Finance and Compliance team to ensure that all microfinance-related activities are implemented in line with donor regulations and organizational policies.
- Identify potential financial risks related to beneficiary selection, loan utilization, and repayment behavior, and implement mitigation measures in coordination with partner financial institutions.
- Ensure transparency and accountability mechanisms.
- Support awareness among beneficiaries on financial responsibilities.
- Liaise with local financial institutions, NGOs and INGOs and government stakeholders.
- Represent the organization in relevant coordination forums.
- Any other duties as assigned by the line manager.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or related field, master’s degree is preferred
- At least seven years’ experience in a similar field with humanitarian organizations in startups, microfinance, rural finance, or financial inclusion programs
- Proven experience working with financial institutions and managing lending or financial access programs.
- Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong understanding of livestock/agricultural value chains and seasonal financing needs
- Experience in risk management, portfolio monitoring, and repayment tracking
- Teamwork, team building, coordination, and management skills
- Proficient in listening, verbal, and written knowledge of Pashto, Dari and English
- Having good time management and planning skills
- Report writing skills
- Proficient in MS Office and data management tools
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently to field locations.
Submission Guidelines
To apply for this vacancy, please visit the following link and fill out the application form.
