National Coordinator – EI (MSME)

The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development, and promotion of private-sector enterprises and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities.

AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote, or resource-poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.

POSITION OBJECTIVE
The position strengthens the impact, sustainability, and technical quality of MSME interventions by bringing specialized expertise in processing technologies, renewable energy, cold-chain systems, and grant-supported enterprise development into national programming. The role ensures that enterprise support moves beyond basic business training toward practical, technology-driven value addition, productivity improvement, and market competitiveness. It aims to help MSMEs adopt appropriate machinery, improve product quality and shelf life, reduce post-harvest losses, and integrate energy- efficient and renewable solutions that lower operating costs. The position also ensures that grant investments are technically sound, well-designed, and aligned with value chain opportunities and employment creation goals. By improving coordination, innovation, and technical standards across provinces, the role contributes to stronger enterprise growth, better market linkages, and more resilient local economies. Ultimately, the position exists to bridge the gap between enterprise development, technology adoption, and sustainable economic opportunities.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A.    National Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement
•    Coordinate national and provincial market assessments to identify viable MSMEs and value chain gaps.
•    Coordinate enterprise interventions under different grants and strategic objectives.
•    Liaise with:
o    Government entities
o    Donors and private sector actors
o    Business associations and service providers
o    Internal program sectors
•    Ensure    coordination    between    national    and    regional    teams    for    planning,    budgeting, implementation, and monitoring.
•    Maintain updated national database and documentation on MSME interventions.
•    Prepare and consolidate donor reports from regional offices.

B.    Processing Technology & Value Addition
Provide national technical leadership on processing industries (food and non-food).
1.    Processing Technologies & Equipment
•    Assess processing technologies suitable for MSMEs.
•    Identify and recommend machinery and equipment for:
o    Food processing enterprises
o    Non-food processing enterprises
•    Support equipment specification, costing, procurement planning, and installation guidance.
•    Provide technical input for equipment-based grant packages.

2.    Food Processing & Product Quality
•    Provide expertise on:
o    Changes in food during processing (chemical, physical, biological)
o    Food safety and hygiene practices
o    Shelf-life improvement techniques
o    Value addition and quality enhancement
•    Advise on improved processing methods and standards.

3.    Cold Chain & Storage Systems
•    Assess cold storage needs across value chains.
•    Provide technical guidance on:
o    Cold storage design and sizing
o    Temperature management systems
o    Cold chain logistics
o    Post-harvest loss reduction solutions
•    Support planning and costing of cold storage facilities.

C.    Renewable Energy for MSMEs,
Lead integration of renewable energy into MSME support.
•    Assess renewable energy solutions for enterprises.
•    Provide technical expertise on:
o    Solar systems for MSMEs
o    Energy needs assessment
o    Solar system sizing and costing
o    Installation planning and budgeting
•    Develop guidance on energy-efficient enterprise operations.
•    Support integration of renewable energy into grant-funded projects.

D.    Enterprise Development & Capacity Building
•    Develop enterprise training modules covering:
o    Technical skills
o    Business management
o    Financial management
•    Support provincial teams in:
o    Enterprise capacity building
o    Exposure visits and learning exchanges
•    Facilitate development of new enterprises and business models.
•    Identify enterprises that fill value chain gaps and create employment.
•    Support market linkages and product promotion.

E.    Grant Management & Program Implementation
•    Provide technical oversight for MSME grants.
•    Support development of:
o    Technical proposals
o    Grant documentation and guidelines
o    Implementation plans and budgets
•    Ensure quality control of grant-supported interventions.
•    Support monitoring and documentation of grant results.

F.    Innovation & Enterprise Solutions
•    Identify innovative processing and production solutions.
•    Introduce modern technologies and practices in MSMEs.
•    Explore new enterprise ideas and pilot innovations.
•    Provide technical input for proposal development and new funding opportunities.

G.    Systems, Reporting & Knowledge Management
•    Improve systems for:
o    Reporting and data management
o    Information flow
o    Project planning and monitoring
•    Prepare:
o    Case studies
o    Technical articles
o    Knowledge products
o    Promotional materials
•    Conduct comparative analysis of enterprise models and interventions in terms of cost /benefit
/productivity/ alternative/technical sustainability, etc.

•    To carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way that reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy.
•    To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the Manager informed of all critical issues.
•    Perform any other relevant responsibility assigned by the supervisor.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
•    Assigned by the supervisor.

•    Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Food processing, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Having a master’s degree in any of the fields mentioned would be an added advantage.
•    Minimum 05 years of relevant and hands-on experience in MSME, processing technologies, renewable energy, equipment-based enterprise support, management, and grant implementation. Strong applied technical knowledge in these areas is mandatory, beyond academic qualifications.
•    Good verbal and written communication skills in English and national languages.
•    Should have a very good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
•    Ability to understand and follow complex dynamics of the private sector and enterprise development environment.
•    Able to work both individually and as part of a team to undertake tasks in a fast-paced environment.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
•    Strong technical knowledge of processing technologies.
•    Understanding of renewable energy systems (especially solar).
•    Experience in MSME development and value chains.
•    Strong analytical, reporting, and documentation skills.
•    Ability to work across multiple stakeholders and regions.
•    Attention to detail and innovative.
•    Multitasking.
•    Proactive mindset and self-starter.
•    Conflict management.

APPLICATION
Interested    internal    applicants    should    submit    their    CVs    along    with    a    cover    letter    to
Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 10th  June 2026.

Important Notes:
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying.
•    No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s), etc.) are required at this stage.
•    Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
•    Salary scale: Grade C, step 1 – 3 based on the organization’s salary scale.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF-Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge.

Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org. Each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference, and upon submitting your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt immediately.

AKF- Afg recruitment and selection process reflects our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members, and employees from safeguarding violations. AKF (Afg) participates in the Scheme for the disclosure of safeguarding-related misconduct within the humanitarian and development sector (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme). In line with this Scheme, AKF (Afg) will contact previous employers of job applicants to request information about any investigations or findings of misconduct concerning allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment (sexual misconduct) against the applicant, during or after their employment. AKF (Afg) further implements a range of procedures and vetting checks, including criminal records disclosures, to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to always comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy.

By submitting the job application, the applicant confirms to have understood and consented to AKF (Afg) contacting the applicant’s prior employers, during AKF (Afg)’s recruitment process, to request any such information and maintain this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.