The Lead Technical Advisor for the Private Sector Development Project provides technical leadership and expert advice to the Senior Programme Manager and project team, ensuring the effective implementation of the PSRP project and alignment with good practices in private sector development. The Lead Technical Advisor plays a key role in stakeholder engagement, decision-making, and knowledge sharing to maximise the project's impact on Afghan MSMEs.
8 hours ago
Full Time
2026-07-22
Male/Female
Job Overview
Location
Kabul
Nationality
International
Category
Other
Employment Type
Full Time
Salary
Not disclosed
Vacancy Number
VA No. 3424
No. of Jobs
1
City
Kabul
Organization
UNOPS
Experience
Minimum 7 years of experience in private sector development, investment promotion, policy advisory, or economic policy.
Contract Duration
Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Gender
Male/Female
Education
Master's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Finance, or related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience;
Closing Date
2026-07-22
About UNOPS
Job Description
Job Requirements
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. Technical Leadership and Advisory
- Serve as the principal technical expert on private sector development for the PSRP project.
- Provide expert advice and guidance to the Senior Programme Manager (SPM) and project team on all technical aspects of the project, especially job creation, private capital mobilisation, and initiatives supporting the livelihoods of women and returnees.
- Contribute to the development of innovative financing mechanisms to promote private sector investment in Afghanistan.
- Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and best practices in private sector development, especially job creation, private capital mobilisation, and initiatives supporting the livelihoods of women and returnees. and advise the project team accordingly.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
- Liaise and advise PSRP’s implementing partners on technical matters related to private sector development.
- Under the guidance of the SPM, liaise closely with technical stakeholders in the World Bank and IFC (particularly the Task Team Leads or their delegated technical representatives) on technical matters.
- Coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders, including private sector representatives, international organizations, and other donor agencies as relevant.
- Ensure the PSRP is adequately represented and contributes to wider discussions and working groups on private sector development; engage in technical meetings and workshops with stakeholders and the donor.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and project success.
3. Decision-Making and Technical Review
- Assume UNOPS' position on decision-making bodies for the project, such as the start-up selection committee.
- Review and provide technical input on terms of reference (ToRs), tender documents, and proposals for the procurement of specialized technical services.
- Review and provide technical input on terms of reference, evaluations and other technical documents related to the contract management of PSRP grantees.
- Review and provide technical inputs on deliverables from suppliers of specialised technical services contracted under the project, including but not limited to feasibility studies, sandbox pilot project designs, investment climate studies, financial studies.
- Ensure that all technical aspects of the project are aligned with good practices and donor requirements.
4. Project Implementation Support
- Provide technical support and guidance throughout the project implementation phase
- Monitor project progress and identify any technical challenges or risks.
- Develop and implement solutions to address technical challenges and ensure project success.
- Support capacity building of implementing partners and other stakeholders in technical aspects of private sector engagement and development.
5. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building
- Contribute to knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives within UNOPS and with project partners.
- Develop and deliver training programs and workshops on private sector development topics.
- Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices from the project, facilitate knowledge exchange and learning events among project stakeholders.
- Conduct field visits to project and partner sites 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.
- Contribute to the preparation of project reports, briefs, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
- Support the identification and assessment of potential private sector partners for project implementation.
- Provide technical input into the design of new private sector development projects and initiatives.
- Ensure gender and social inclusion considerations, and the adoption of sustainable and environmentally responsible practices, are integrated into all aspects of project design and implementation.
Skills
Capacity Building, Concept Development, Economic Development, Market Analysis, Policy Analysis, Project Implementation, Public-private Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning
Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education Requirements
Required
-
Master's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Finance, or related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience;
OR -
Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Finance, International Studies, or related field with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience.
Desired
-
Relevant certifications in private sector development or investment promotion
Experience Requirements
Required
-
Minimum 7 years of experience in private sector development, investment promotion, policy advisory, or economic policy.
-
Experience in private sector engagement and development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
-
Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership building with representatives from the private sector, government, and donor communities.
-
Experience in conducting high-quality market research and policy analysis related to private sector development, including the preparation of reports and policy recommendations.
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Experience working in any of the following areas:
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Value chain mapping and development
-
Early-stage business acceleration
-
Start-up and SME financing
-
Islamic finance and insurance solutions (Takaful), incl. in FCV contexts
-
Capacity building for the private sector and NGOs in FCV contexts
-
Desired
-
Relevant certifications in private sector development or investment promotion
-
Experience in designing and implementing successful private sector development initiatives.
-
Experience in public-private partnerships
-
Understanding of the economic, political, and social context of Afghanistan, with specific knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for private sector development.
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Experience in developing and delivering training programmes.
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Experience in Afghanistan or other conflict-affected countries.
Language Requirements
| Language | Proficiency Level | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| English | Fluent | Required |
Submission Guidelines
Submission Email
https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/3424
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