Community-Based Savings Groups (CBSGs) and Cluster Efficiency, Sustainability, Innovation, Capitalization and Future Growth

1. Background and Context For more than twenty years, the program has supported the establishment of Community-Based Savings Groups (CBSGs) as an informal, community-managed financial inclusion system serving vulnerable households. These groups mobilize small, regular savings and provide interest-free loans to members to support both livelihood activities and urgent social needs such as health expenses, emergencies, and major life events. Currently, approximately 8,200 CBSGs and 500 Clusters operate across multiple regions. These structures function as revolving financial systems that mobilize savings, circulate capital, and support micro-enterprise development. Loan sizes typically range between AFN 10,000 and AFN 40,000, with an average loan cycle of six months. Once CBSGs reach maturity, they are grouped into Cluster structures that receive capacity-building and seed capital to serve as larger revolving funds for member groups. Despite the scale and longevity of the system, the overall financial footprint, economic contribution, sustainability, and efficiency of this ecosystem have not yet been comprehensively measured. Financial records remain primarily paper-based, making it difficult to analyses performance, aggregate portfolio data, or communicate the value of the system to potential investors and donors. This assessment is therefore intended to generate the first comprehensive evidence base to support strategic decision-making, system strengthening, digital transformation, and future investment. 2. Purpose of the Assignment The assignment aims to generate credible and rigorous evidence about the performance, impact, and future potential of the CBSG and Cluster ecosystem. The findings will guide program improvements, support digital transformation, and strengthen the investment case for scaling the model. The service provider is expected to deliver a comprehensive analysis that explains not only how the system functions today but also how it can evolve into a stronger and more sustainable community financial ecosystem. 7. Qualifications Required The consultant/firm/NGO must have • Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated experience in conducting socio-economic research, evaluations, and impact assessments. • Successful completion of at least two similar assignments in financial inclusion, community finance, livelihoods, or rural development within the last five years, supported by client references. • Availability of a qualified multidisciplinary team, including at a minimum a Team Leader, Statistician/Data Analyst, and Financial Inclusion Specialist. • Minimum annual turnover of USD 30,000 in any one of the last three financial years, supported by appropriate financial documentation (e.g., bank statement or audited financial statement). • Submission of two sample reports from similar assignments demonstrating the firm's technical and analytical capabilities. 8. Timeline The total duration of the assignment is 14 weeks Phase Duration • Inception report (Methodology, data collection instruments, • workplan and availability of staff 2 weeks • Data collection and cleaning 8 weeks • Developing draft analytical report and presentation to AKF 3 weeks • Incorporating comments and feedback and submission of the • Final report with presentation 1 week Note: Please refer to the attached document for the remaining information/content. Application Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial Proposal to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 05th August 2026. Please contact Mr. Jamal Nasir Yousufzai at Jamal.nasir@akdn.org and Ghulam Sarwar Ahmadi at Sarwar.ahmadi@akdn.org if you need further clarifications or any query on or before the deadline. Important Notes: • Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying. • Please submit a copy of business license along with the proposal. • Only short-listed Firms will be contacted for further assessment. 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 reflect 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.