Job Summary
The Value Chain Director will offer technical support and oversight to ensure the successful implementation of key market systems activities for the project. This role will involve traveling across the country and maintaining regular interactions with the project team, USAID mission staff, government officials, anchor firms, and other local stakeholders. The Value Chain Director will lead a team of value chain specialists based in Kabul and will provide essential technical direction for both project implementation and reporting activities.
Duties & Responsibilities
The duties of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead the technical direction of the project in collaboration with the COP and DCOP Technical.
- Support activities related to the Annual Work Plan, Market Actor Partnership Agreements (MAPAs), and Deal Notes, using a market systems approach that benefits both anchor firms and the broader system.
- Work closely with target Value Chain-related anchor firms to implement effective growth strategies.
- Foster connections among market actors within the Activity/Value Chain, working with Afghan industry groups to advocate for policy reforms and create platforms for self-regulation, including training, certification, and quality control.
- Lead the implementation of market system activities and set a technical vision for them.
- Facilitate market improvements through coaching, partnerships, business engagement, and strategic collaboration with key livestock market actors.
- Promote systemic change by using a market systems approach to anticipate market trends and risks.
- Identify and align synergies across Value Chain-related market actors.
- Advise on improving supply chain development activities as needed.
- Coordinate with other USAID and donor-funded projects in agribusiness to ensure complementary approaches when working with anchor firms.
- Supervise a team of value chain specialists in target sectors.
- Provide written contributions to project deliverables such as reports, workplans, and USAID requests.
- The VC Director will be based in Kabul and will travel frequently to regional offices and field locations.
- Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.
Job Requirements
- A master's degree in rural and agricultural development, public administration, economics, business and marketing, international trade, or a related field is required, or a bachelor’s degree with 7 years of relevant experience, a master's degree with 5 years of relevant experience, or a PhD with 3 years of relevant experience is required.
- Seven years of experience in donor-funded projects, with expertise in supervisory roles, business development, market system development, value chain strengthening, and project management, is preferred.
- Proven technical experience in Afghanistan’s agriculture sector and globally, particularly in using market-based solutions to address complex social and development challenges.
- Leadership and management experience in delivering complex operations and program strategies with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of market-based solutions and agricultural value chains, with experience engaging with investors and donor communities in Afghanistan.
- In-depth knowledge of political, economic, and social trends in Afghanistan.
- Proficiency in Dari or Pashto is required.
- Fluent in English, with demonstrated report writing skills.
- Proven team-building skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and ethical management. Ability to respond positively to project leadership.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Word).
Submission Guideline
Interested candidates should submit their CV via the link below by December 14, 2024. Early applications are encouraged. No phone inquiries will be accepted, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please submit only one application.