Entrepreneurship and Marketing Officer

Job Description

About Islamic Relief Worldwide-Afghanistan:

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a Birmingham, UK-based international humanitarian relief organization. With over 23 years of dedicated service in Afghanistan, IRW has been a pivotal force in providing emergency relief and implementing transformative development projects for vulnerable populations. Operating in various sectors, including emergency relief, food security, livelihood, education, health, nutrition, shelter, orphan sponsorship, Ramadan, and Qurbani programs, IRW continues its commitment to making a positive impact.

Job Description:

Job Summary:

The Entrepreneurship and Marketing Officer will play a crucial role in assisting, managing, developing, and implementing community mobilization activities related to private sector initiatives, livelihood sub-projects, and SMEs business initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Conduct market needs assessments, monitor market movements, and identify high-valued skills, MSMEs, local producers, and non-agricultural products.
2. Facilitate vulnerability assessments to identify vulnerable groups, including men, women, youth, elders, people with disabilities, IDPs, and marginalized groups.
3. Establish men and women producers’ groups in targeted districts, supporting them in handicrafts, local SMEs, and agricultural production, processing, and marketing.
4. Design, develop, and manage community mobilization activities supporting men and women groups in agricultural businesses, SMEs, cooperatives, and associations, aligning with program goals.
5. Conduct training needs assessments and assist in the capacity development of men and women producers’ groups operating in handicrafts, agricultural businesses, cooperatives, and associations.
6. Prepare the list of selected MSMEs, SMEs, and local producers, conducting awareness campaigns regarding small invitation funds, and share reports and plans with the program’s technical team.
7. Deliver project-related training and guidance to men and women producers’ groups, women-run handicrafts, local businesses, agribusinesses, and cooperatives, conducting capacity-building activities.
8. Plan workshops and public awareness programs for men and women groups on women’s economic empowerment, development, and assist in developing concept notes and ToRs for business events and exhibitions.
9. Assist women groups in marketing their local products, handicrafts, and agriculture products, improving linkages between them and sellers through local business processes, and forming value chain partnerships.
10. Identify value chain opportunities, map and evaluate existing supply chains, recommend additional priority opportunities for value chain and skills development, and outline opportunities through project summaries and market analysis reports.
11. Facilitate, monitor, and supervise the selection of lead farmers and other producers’ groups, providing technical support to entrepreneurs and prospective investors.
12. Work closely with government departments, NGOs, community institutions, private sector stakeholders, and key stockholders to coordinate the overall implementation of project activities.
13. Prepare business development capacity-building training materials and conduct business development training for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and project beneficiaries.
14. Prepare lists of identified MSMEs target groups for business grants and maintain coordination with government authorities at provincial and district levels.
15. Maintain strong communication with clients, disseminate outputs with provincial field managers, conduct post-distribution monitoring processes for business grants, and submit reports to the line manager on a weekly/monthly basis.
16. Perform any other activities directed by the Project Coordinator, Area Program Coordinator, and technical team.

Job Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, marketing and sales, commerce, or related fields. A master’s degree is an advantage.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in conducting market needs assessments, feasibility studies, and analysis of agriculture and livelihood-related options/activities.
• Strong knowledge of developing business plans and marketing strategies for entrepreneurs.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of sub-national institutional contexts in Afghanistan.
• Experience in working with local government or NGOs on agriculture/livelihood-related activities in remote areas of Afghanistan.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in Pashto, Dari, and English.

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in the use of MS Office, internet, etc.

Submission Guideline:

Interested and qualified national candidates should submit a cover letter explaining their motivation and an updated CV through the online application portal. The closing date for applications is 22 January 2024. Please include the Vacancy Announcement number and position title in the subject line. Late applications will not be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be called for an Interview.

Submission Email:

Please refer to the submission guideline. Note: The interview will be on a rolling basis due to the urgent need of the position, and it may take place before the closing date of the post.

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