Enterprise Development Specialist

Role summary Background and Objective of the assignment The Relief, Employment and Vital Infrastructure for the Vulnerable in Emergencies (REVIVE) Project, funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and implemented by UNDP, seeks to support vulnerable populations through employment generation, livelihood recovery, rehabilitation of community infrastructure, and resilience-building initiatives. The project contributes to improving socio-economic conditions, strengthening community resilience, and increasing access to sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and vulnerable households. The Enterprise Development Specialist is a highly qualified technical expert with extensive experience in the implementation and monitoring of enterprise development, MSME support, livelihoods and Community development programmes. The specialist possesses strong expertise in planning, value chain development, entrepreneurship training, grants management for micro-enterprises, women’s economic empowerment, and private sector engagement. The expert has proven experience in community-driven development, alternative livelihoods, agricultural value chains, and supporting small businesses in challenging contexts. He/she excels in stakeholder coordination, technical assessments, capacity building, and ensuring gender-responsive and sustainable enterprise interventions. Scope of work The Enterprise Development Specialist will lead the design and implementation of enterprise development interventions for women-led savings groups and vulnerable entrepreneurs. The position will support business identification, enterprise assessments, business planning, entrepreneurship training, and coaching to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The specialist will facilitate market linkages, buyer engagement, and value chain development, while supporting access to responsible finance, investment readiness, and growth opportunities. The role will also contribute to monitoring enterprise performance, documenting lessons learned, and strengthening livelihoods and economic resilience among project beneficiaries. Duties and responsibilities Task Description The Enterprise Development Specialist will have the following key duties and responsibilities: 1. Support the formulation of project proposals and concept notes on enterprise development and women’s economic empowerment, including conducting field assessments, beneficiary mapping, and market analysis. 2. Lead the identification, selection, and support of MSMEs, including conducting needs assessments, business planning, and feasibility studies. 3. Provide technical assistance to micro-enterprises and SMEs in business development, marketing, financial management, and market access. 4. Oversee grants management and capacity building support to enterprises, ensuring compliance with UNDP standards and quality requirements. 5. Facilitate value chain development, private sector partnerships, and linkages between producers, markets, and service providers. 6. Support monitoring, evaluation, of enterprise interventions, including regular field visits (at least 2–3 sites per month) and documentation of lessons learned and success stories. 7. Map existing livelihood and enterprise initiatives, identify synergies, and coordinate with government counterparts, NGOs, and private sector actors for greater impact and sustainability. 8. Ensure gender mainstreaming, inclusion of vulnerable groups, and integration of environmental and social safeguards in all enterprise activities. 9. Contribute to knowledge management, reporting, and visibility of enterprise development results. 10. Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor. Institutional arrangement The Enterprise Development Specialist will work under the guidance of the REVIVE Program Manager and report directly to the Technical Specialist - Livelihood. Technical guidance and support will also be provided by the AMIS team. Job requirements Education A bachelor’s degree in agriculture , Agribusiness, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or related fields is the minimum, although the Master preferred. Experience and Skills · At least 3/7 years of practical experience (with Bachelor’s) or 5 years (with Master’s) in enterprise development, MSME support, value chain development, Community Development Projects or livelihoods programming. · Proven experience in planning, entrepreneurship training, grants management for micro-enterprises, and market linkage development. · Demonstrated experience working with women-led enterprises and inclusive economic empowerment initiatives. · Strong knowledge of agricultural value chains, alternative livelihoods, and private sector engagement in Afghanistan. · Experience with UN agencies or international donors is highly desirable. · Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills. · Proficiency in computers and office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint). · Ability to work independently, under pressure, and in challenging environments. · Strong knowledge and understanding sub-national institutional contexts of Afghanistan Technical aptitude · Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications. · Strong knowledge of data cleaning, validation, quality assurance, and statistical analysis. · Experience using data collection and management platforms such as KoboToolbox, ODK, CommCare, or similar tools. · Familiarity with Power BI or other data visualization platforms is desirable. · Understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, indicators, and reporting systems Competencies · Strong interpersonal, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills. · Results-oriented with ability to deliver high-quality outputs. · Good team player, self-motivated, and able to work with minimum supervision. · Commitment to UNDP values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. · Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. · Strong report writing and presentation skills. · Effective communication and interpersonal skills. · Strong organizational and time-management skills. · Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment. Language Requirements Proficiency in written and spoken English and fluency in local languages, Pashto and Dari is required.