The Business Analyst is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and technical oversight of the Access to Finance Project across the seven northern provinces of Afghanistan. The incumbent will supervise Community Mobilizers and Access to Finance Trainers, oversee beneficiary identification and business assessments, coordinate capacity-building activities, analyze business performance, facilitate access to finance for eligible women entrepreneurs, and ensure that project activities are implemented efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with donor requirements and AYEO policies.
The Business Analyst will provide technical leadership, strengthen collaboration with government institutions, financial service providers, women's business associations, and other stakeholders, and contribute to improving the sustainability and growth of women-led micro and small enterprises.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Project Planning and Coordination
- Develop annual, quarterly, monthly, and provincial implementation plans.
- Coordinate and supervise project implementation across Takhar, Kunduz, Samangan, Balkh, Jawzjan, Sar-e-Pul, and Faryab.
- Ensure timely achievement of project outputs, outcomes, and performance indicators.
- Coordinate with relevant government authorities, financial institutions, business associations, and community stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with project work plans, budgets, donor requirements, and AYEO operational policies.
3. Business Assessment and Beneficiary Selection
- Supervise business assessments and beneficiary identification conducted by Community Mobilizers.
- Review and validate survey data and beneficiary profiles.
- Analyze business performance, financial needs, market opportunities, and enterprise potential.
- Identify eligible women-led micro and small enterprises based on approved project criteria.
- Maintain an accurate and updated beneficiary database.
- Ensure transparency and fairness throughout the beneficiary selection process.
4. Training Management and Technical Support
- Supervise the implementation of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, business management, and access-to-finance training programs.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to Access to Finance Trainers.
- Review training plans, materials, reports, and participant evaluations.
- Support beneficiaries in preparing business plans, improving financial management practices, and strengthening business operations.
- Facilitate linkages between beneficiaries and financial institutions, business development service providers, and markets.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Monitor project implementation and verify progress against approved work plans and key performance indicators.
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor project quality and beneficiary progress.
- Review and analyze project data and beneficiary performance.
- Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and final project reports.
- Document lessons learned, best practices, case studies, and success stories.
- Recommend corrective actions to improve project performance.
6. Team Leadership and Supervision
- Supervise Community Mobilizers, Access to Finance Trainers, and other assigned project staff.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical support to project teams.
- Conduct regular coordination meetings and performance reviews.
- Promote teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Ensure staff understand and comply with project procedures and quality standards.
7. Stakeholder Coordination
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with provincial authorities, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, women's business associations, community leaders, and development partners.
- Represent AYEO during coordination meetings, workshops, and official events.
- Promote collaboration to enhance women's access to financial services and business development opportunities.
8. Compliance
- Ensure compliance with AYEO Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, Safeguarding, Gender Equality, and Code of Conduct policies.
- Ensure project implementation complies with donor regulations and contractual requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality of beneficiary and project information.
- Identify operational risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
- Promote accountability, transparency, inclusion, and ethical conduct throughout project implementation.
9. Other Responsibilities
- Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Manager.
- Support proposal development, project design, and donor reporting when required.
- Represent AYEO professionally in all official meetings and field activities.
- Contribute to organizational learning and continuous improvement initiatives.
