The United Nations Office for Project Services is an operational arm of the United Nations, dedicated to implementing projects for the United Nations System, international financial institutions, governments and other partners in the aid world.

Responsibilities or duties

Project Development Support

• Provide advice to the UNOPS Afghanistan team in the development of comprehensive project documents, aligned with the donor’s requirements and objectives.
• Participate in and, where delegated, represent UNOPS in meetings with the donor and other stakeholders as applicable during the project development process.
• Contribute to the refinement of project components, ensuring they are technically sound, financially viable, and aligned with the needs of the Afghan private sector.

Value Chain Resilience

• Provide advice for and support the identification and establishment of value chain linkages, especially in the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors.
• Provide technical guidance on the selection of businesses of varying sizes to link in key value chains.
• Identify and develop support mechanisms for select value chains, such as standards implementation, equipment upgrades, and processing capacity enhancements.
• Identify and develop support mechanisms for select value chains, such as standards implementation, equipment upgrades, and processing capacity enhancements.

Incubation Services

• Assess relevant business support initiatives and develop recommendations for possible development of accelerator programs.
• Participate in and lead discussions with business support initiatives and similar stakeholders, and support the development of project implementation arrangements and relevant agreements with such initiatives and stakeholders.
• Advise on measures to de-risk investments.

Private Sector Advisory

• Engage with relevant stakeholders to gather insights on the private sector ecosystem in Afghanistan.
• Provide guidance on the strategy for private sector advisory, including advocacy, to inform project activities and ensure alignment with private sector needs.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Facilitate communication and coordination between UNOPS Afghanistan, the donor/s, and other relevant stakeholders as requested.
• Organize and participate in stakeholder consultations to gather feedback on project design and implementation strategies.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Skills

• Economic Development
• Market Analysis
• Policy Analysis
• Private Sector
• Public-private Partnerships
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Planning
• Teamwork
• Markets in Financial Instruments Directive

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 progressively responsible experience in private sector development, investment promotion, policy advisory, or economic policy in developing countries countries, including at least 3 years in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing successful private sector development initiatives.
• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership building with senior representatives from the private sector, government, and international donor communities.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex socio-economic issues, identify opportunities for private sector growth, and develop innovative solutions.
• Experience in value chain analysis and development, particularly in the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors.

• Provide advice to the UNOPS Afghanistan team in the development of comprehensive project documents, aligned with the donor’s requirements and objectives.
• Participate in and, where delegated, represent UNOPS in meetings with the donor and other stakeholders as applicable during the project development process.
• Contribute to the refinement of project components, ensuring they are technically sound, financially viable, and aligned with the needs of the Afghan private sector.
• Provide advice for and support the identification and establishment of value chain linkages, especially in the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors.
• Provide technical guidance on the selection of businesses of varying sizes to link in key value chains.
• Identify and develop support mechanisms for select value chains, such as standards implementation, equipment upgrades, and processing capacity enhancements.
• Identify and develop support mechanisms for select value chains, such as standards implementation, equipment upgrades, and processing capacity enhancements.
• Assess relevant business support initiatives and develop recommendations for possible development of accelerator programs.
• Participate in and lead discussions with business support initiatives and similar stakeholders, and support the development of project implementation arrangements and relevant agreements with such initiatives and stakeholders.
• Advise on measures to de-risk investments.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders to gather insights on the private sector ecosystem in Afghanistan.
• Provide guidance on the strategy for private sector advisory, including advocacy, to inform project activities and ensure alignment with private sector needs.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between UNOPS Afghanistan, the donor/s, and other relevant stakeholders as requested.
• Organize and participate in stakeholder consultations to gather feedback on project design and implementation strategies.

• Economic Development
• Market Analysis
• Policy Analysis
• Private Sector
• Public-private Partnerships
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Planning
• Teamwork
• Markets in Financial Instruments Directive

• 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
• Required
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in private sector development, investment promotion, policy advisory, or economic policy in developing countries countries, including at least 3 years in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing successful private sector development initiatives.
• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership building with senior representatives from the private sector, government, and international donor communities.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex socio-economic issues, identify opportunities for private sector growth, and develop innovative solutions.
• Experience in value chain analysis and development, particularly in the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors.