ACBAR

Development and Humanitarian Services for Afghanistan (DHSA) established in 1992, the mission of DHSA is to redefine development in Afghanistan by promoting a dynamic and capable civil society as a means to foster local ownership of development, dignity and a peaceful & sustainable future for all Afghans.

Throughout the 1990’s, DHSA focused primarily on drawing strength from local knowledge and traditional relationships to fill gaps, caused by a weak national government and absence of public services. During this time, DHSA focused on activities such as water sanitation and irrigation, education, food assistance to drought affected populations, and rural rehabilitation, matching local know-how with the financial and political support from international aid agencies and donors such as EC, USAID, WFP, WHO, the UN, Canada fund/Care International and Novib.

The political changes brought by the Bonn Agreement in 2001 allowed DHSA to add development of civil society in Afghanistan – through its media, education and various community development projects – to its portfolio, in addition to humanitarian assistance.

To achieve its mission, DHSA presently operates five activities:

• Humanitarian Activities
• Public Media and Communication (TKG),
• Education
• Cultural Heritage
• Environmental Protection

• Conduct awareness /sensitization on VSLA groups and activities among communities and local leaders.
• Facilitate community vulnerability process in target communities to assess community basic planning for VSLA groups
• Develop work plans (Weekly, Monthly and Quarterly) to ensure effective implementation of VSLA related activities as outlined in the project proposal and work plan.
• Facilitate the identification, formation and mobilization of local structures such as VSLA groups, financial institutions and marketing groups in the villages and district.
•  Facilitate beneficiary identification in consultation with communities and local leaders using set criteria for the VSLA membership.
• Facilitate the identification of village level VSLA agents to enhance community awareness and ownership/sustainability of VSLA approach.
• Identify technical capacity and challenges of beneficiaries and village agent face and skills/knowledge they have in VSLA, Business development, Income generating activities (IGAs), etc.
•  Facilitate and ensure the establishment of village savings and loans association groups, IGA groups, and other engaged parties in target communities.
• Oversee and regularly monitor when the VSLA groups are conducting the share purchase, social contributions, and borrowing and repayment of loans to ensure proper documentation/recording of VSLA field cash box.
• Train beneficiaries and village agent’s skills on VSLA methodology with existing similar groups/cooperatives and marketing.
• Train economic development groups/associations/committees on financial management, accounts and record keep including other skills for VSLA groups as required.
• Coach, supervise and mentor the village agents for effective facilitation and support of VSLA and Income generating activities.
• Strengthen the capacity of VSLA groups, VSLA groups management team and village agent.
• Facilitate and organize exposure or exchange visits and any other events for the beneficiaries to foster learning and experience sharing if required.
• Ensure timely procurement of and delivery of right quality and quantity of VSLA kits/tools required by the beneficiaries and ensure these are used appropriately.
• Ensure sorting out any misunderstanding that may arise within VSLA group members to ensure smooth running of the process and prevent drop out.
• Identify high capacity financial management trainings training for the VSLA groups and other engaged parties to learn different skills as per market demand/market survey results in order to equip skills for self-employment and financial sustainability.
• Facilitate and conduct market assessments in order to establish skills gaps, guiding the required numbers of training.
•  Ensure that VSLAs social funds are available to those members who face acute stress to serve as emergency resources and ensure timely availability of project matching funds.
• Facilitate training of VSLA members on life skills such as on basic literacy and numeracy skills, household financial affairs, risk management and planning etc.
• Making sure of balanced gender (Women and Youth) in the representation and participation of the project.
•  Liaise with the Program Manager for all decisions related to VSLAs and carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Line supervisor.
• Work closely in teamwork with partners’ team as well as other program teams Logistics and finance etc.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Documentation and Reporting.

• Track progress of the savings groups, VSLAs, and IGA activities to see if targets set in the annual work plan are achieved.
•  Facilitate data collection from savings groups and manage/supervise the MIS information flow to project manager.
•  Monitoring and supervision of Village Agents performance in the villages.
• Consolidate/compile monthly, quarterly and annual activity reports on special events showing achievements, lessons, constraints and recommendations which should be submitted to the relevant authority at the agreed time
• Assist IGA Entrepreneurs to assess their local economy and find markets for their products and services.
• Carry out quarterly/annual review meetings to assess performance of activities against set targets at the community and program levels
• Conduct ED assessments and document benefits from these and write success stories.
• Participate in field level assessment and or evaluation of project performance/activities.

Coordination.

• Represent DHSA in the field meetings relevant to VSLA and pre urban activities, meetings with government, INGOs, Local NGOs and other players in the district.
• Build relationship and coordinate with stakeholders (local leaders, district authorities, microfinance institutions, etc.), relevant government Ministries/departments.
• Participate in field level coordination meeting with local government authorities and other agencies.

Diploma/Degree in Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Accounting, Community development, sociology, and any other relevant experience in microfinance, livelihoods, IGA and VSLA methodology
• At least 2 years’ experience on community development/food security agriculture and pastoral livelihoods.
• Experienced facilitator /trainer
• Working experience in resilience initiatives or programs is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with principles and practice of savings-led microfinance and with strong awareness of challenges faced by traditional methodologies. .
• Willingness to travel to all project locations on regular basis.
• Experience in working with Non-Governmental organizations and local communities, local authorities and Local NGOs.
• Strong computer skills and ability to use standard computing packages such as word, excel, power point, spreadsheets and database software programs.
• Strong communication and report writing skills.

Please submit your CV and cover letter to jobs@dhsa.af clearly mention the vacancy number and job title in the subject line DHSA/TKG (05-24) VSLA Officer, Application without subject line will not be considered.

Note: Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.
DHSA/TKG is an equal opportunity employer and both genders are urged to apply.

jobs@dhsa.af