Lead Technical Advisor - Private Sector Development

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to private sector development in a challenging environment, working with a diverse team and international partners to achieve significant impact.

About The Project Office

Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support.

Role Purpose

The Lead Technical Advisor for the Private Sector Development Project provides technical leadership and expert advice to the Senior Programme Manager and project team, ensuring the effective implementation of the PSRP project and alignment with good practices in private sector development. The Lead Technical Advisor plays a key role in stakeholder engagement, decision-making, and knowledge sharing to maximise the project's impact on Afghan MSMEs.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Technical Leadership and Advisory

• Serve as the principal technical expert on private sector development for the PSRP project.

• Provide expert advice and guidance to the Senior Programme Manager (SPM) and project team on all technical aspects of the project, especially job creation, private capital mobilisation, and initiatives supporting the livelihoods of women and returnees.

• Contribute to the development of innovative financing mechanisms to promote private sector investment in Afghanistan.

• Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and best practices in private sector development, especially job creation, private capital mobilisation, and initiatives supporting the livelihoods of women and returnees. and advise the project team accordingly.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Liaise and advise PSRP’s implementing partners on technical matters related to private sector development.

• 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.

• Coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders, including private sector representatives, international organizations, and other donor agencies as relevant.

• Ensure the PSRP is adequately represented and contributes to wider discussions and working groups on private sector development; 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.

• Decision-Making and Technical Review

• Assume UNOPS' position on decision-making bodies for the project, such as the start-up selection committee.

• 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.

• Review and provide technical inputs on deliverables from suppliers of specialised technical services contracted under the project, including but not limited to feasibility studies, sandbox pilot project designs, investment climate studies, financial studies.

• Ensure that all technical aspects of the project are aligned with good practices and donor requirements.

• Project Implementation Support

• Provide technical support and guidance throughout the project implementation phase

• Monitor project progress and identify any technical challenges or risks.

• Develop and implement solutions to address technical challenges and ensure project success.

• Support capacity building of implementing partners and other stakeholders in technical aspects of private sector engagement and development.

• 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.

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

Required

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of experience in private sector development, investment promotion, policy advisory, or economic policy.

• Experience in private sector engagement and development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

• Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership building with representatives from the private sector, government, and donor communities.

• Experience in conducting high-quality market research and policy analysis related to private sector development, including the preparation of reports and policy recommendations.

• Experience working in any of the following areas:

• Value chain mapping and development

• Early-stage business acceleration

• Start-up and SME financing

• Islamic finance and insurance solutions (Takaful), incl. in FCV contexts

• Capacity building for the private sector and NGOs in FCV contexts

Desired

• Relevant certifications in private sector development or investment promotion

• Experience in designing and implementing successful private sector development initiatives.

• Experience in public-private partnerships

• Understanding of the economic, political, and social context of Afghanistan, with specific knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for private sector development.

• Experience in developing and delivering training programmes.

• Experience in Afghanistan or other conflict-affected countries.