9 hours ago

Value Chain & MSME Advisor (Retainer)

UNOPS

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Part Time 2026-10-29 Male/Female

Job Overview

Location

Kabul

Nationality

National/International (any)

About UNOPS

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Job Description

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Requirements

Job Specific Context

UNOPS is the Principal Implementing Agency (PIA) for the Private Sector Resilience Project (PSRP), financed by the World Bank (IDA and ARTF), a project designed to support access to finance and the capabilities of MSMEs in selected value chains. This is a home-based retainer position with missions to Kabul, Afghanistan, open to both national and international applicants

Role Purpose

The Agribusiness, Value Chain & Acceleration Advisor will serve on an on-call, milestone-driven retainer basis. The Advisor provides senior technical leadership and policy guidance to the project team and implementing partners. The specialist provides key technical support to design, manage, and monitor the value chain matching grant structures and early-stage business acceleration funnels. The specialist will ensure that supported interventions are commercially viable, lead quality assurance of value-chain mappings, and work with implementing partners for implementation of capacity building and technical assistance activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Technical Advisory

Serve as the principal technical expert on value chain support and MSME development for the PSRP project.
Provide expert advice and guidance to the Senior Programme Manager (SPM) and project team on relevant areas of the project.
Provide technical support and quality assurance reviews of value chain mapping exercises, diagnostic reports, and sourcing studies developed by implementing partners.

2. Implementation Support

Work with implementing partners to formulate the detailed eligibility, evaluation, and selection grids for Value Chain Groups (VCGs) composed of lead firms and partner micro-producers.
Work with implementing partners to design and audit the pro-rata matching fund structures for VCG projects, ensuring that grants match private co-investments to prevent market distortions.
Contribute to the development and implementation of robust technical verification and on-site monitoring protocols to track the progress of supported interventions.
Work with implementing partners to design and implement startup acceleration support programs, including a performance-based matching grant mechanism.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

Liaise and advise PSRP’s implementing partners on technical matters related to value chain support and MSME development, including entrepreneurship starts ups.
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.
Ensure the PSRP is adequately represented and contributes to wider discussions and working groups; 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.
Coordinate and, as applicable, closely collaborate with other project implementing agencies to ensure complementarity and cross-component learning of activities.

4. Technical Review

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.

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, Economic Development, Investment Advisory, Market Access, Market Analysis, Public-private Partnerships

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 Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Private Sector Development, or related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; OR
Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Private Sector Development, or related field with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience.

Desired

Relevant certifications in financial services, including regulatory compliance.

Experience Requirements

Required

Minimum 7 years of experience in progressive professional experience in value chain and MSME development is required
Broad-based technical expertise, with track record in at least two sectors of relevance (e.g. agribusiness, light manufacturing, health sectors).

Desired

Experience in private sector and MSME development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
Experience working on projects financed by the World Bank or similar international finance institutions.
Direct experience in designing, administering, or monitoring matching grant schemes, challenge funds, or micro-enterprise performance-based funding is desired.
Prior experience working in partnership with business incubators, accelerator programs, or venture capital platforms in developing or fragile countries is desired.
Understanding of the economic, political, and social context of Afghanistan, with specific knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for MSME access to finance.
Experience in Afghanistan or other conflict-affected countries.

Language Requirements

Language	Proficiency Level	Requirement
English	Fluent	Required

Submission Guidelines

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/4842

Submission Email

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/4842

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