Grade: NOA
Vacancy no.: RBTC/KABUL/NO/2025/02
Publication date: 22 July 2025
Application deadline (midnight local time): 06 August 2025
Job ID: 13157
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: ILO-Kabul
Location: Herat
Contract type: Special Short Term
Contract duration: 4 Months
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.
In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.
The following are eligible to apply:
ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. External candidates**The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.
The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.
*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.
Organizational Setting
Afghanistan continues to face overlapping crisis, including conflict, natural disaster, economic decline, and widespread displacement. These dynamics have disrupted livelihoods and limited access to decent work, particularly for vulnerable groups including women. In this context, enterprise development offers a viable pathway to support income generation, resilience, and inclusive recovery.
The ILO is implementing a project in Herat province under the framework of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDPN). The project focuses on supporting MSMEs, facilitating demand-driven skills development, and fostering partnerships that contribute to longer-term development outcomes in crisis settings. The intervention is designed to be context-sensitive, and conflict-aware, placing strong emphasis on community needs, inclusivity, and collaboration with other actors in the field.
The Enterprise Development Officer (NOA) will serve as the focal point for enterprise development within the western region. The role involves technical planning, coordination of enterprise support activities, development of tools and guidance, and maintaining close working relationships with ILO constituents, local stakeholders, and UN agencies to maximize synergies and ensure alignment with broader recovery and resilience strategies.
Main Purpose
As a team member, the incumbent provides professional services for the efficient, effective and client-oriented delivery and administration of a range of programming activities. These services cover programming and administrative support in the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programmes and projects in selected technical areas Work is governed by established rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines and includes the use of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM).
Working Relationships
The incumbent will report to the National Project Coordinator and coordinate closely with the ILO Country Office, field staff and project partners. The Officer will serve as a technical resource on enterprise development in the western region and contribute to the design, delivery and monitoring of enterprise support component.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the planning and implementation of the enterprise development component in line with the projectโs HDPN framework and Recommendation 205 on Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience. Develop operational guidelines, beneficiariesโ selection criteria, and tools for identifying and supporting MSMEs, with a focus on those contributing to local economic recovery. Serve as the main resource person on enterprise development in the western region, providing technical inputs to project design, reporting and implementation reviews. Identify and support MSMEs with potential to create or sustain employment, through technical assistance, training, and access to services and inputs. Oversee the delivery of entrepreneurship training programmes (e.g. GET Ahead, SIYB) and coordinate post-training support including coaching, mentoring, and market linkage. Work with partners to ensure that business support services are inclusive and aligned with decent work principles and social safeguards. Coordinate with ILOโs social partners, community leaders, and local business networks to ensure contextually appropriate interventions. Engage with UN agencies and other humanitarian and development actors in the region to promote synergies, reduce duplication, and contribute to joint outcomes. Represent the ILO in relevant local coordination mechanisms related to livelihoods, enterprise development, and recovery efforts. Contribute to project monitoring and reporting, including data collection on supported enterprises, job outcomes, and challenges. Document good practices, lessons learned, and approaches that strengthen peacebuilding, resilience, or social cohesion through enterprise support. Apply a conflict-sensitive and โdo no harmโ approach to all interventions, and ensure activities are informed by local context analysis. Contribute to ILOโs visibility and engagement within the UN team in the western region, particularly in areas related to economic recovery and livelihoods. Support field visits, assessments, and donor engagement activities as required. Carry out any other tasks related to the successful implementation of the enterprise component as assigned by the supervisor.optional section (only if needed)
Education
University degree in economics, business administration, development studies or related field.
Experience
At least two years of professional experience in enterprise development, entrepreneurship promotion, MSMEs support, or related economic recovery programming. Experience working with vulnerable groups (e.g. women, youth, displaced populations) in fragile or crisis-affected context is strongly desirable. Prior experience with ILO tools such as SIYB and GET Ahead for women in enterprise is an asset. Experience with ILOโs SCORE programme, work with cooperatives, and financial literacy initiatives is desirable.Languages
Excellent command of English (oral and written) to facilitate communication, along with fluency in Pashto and Dari.
Knowledge and Competencies (technical/behavioural)
Good knowledge of programming and results-based management (RBM) principles and concepts.
Knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation).
Knowledge of resource mobilization.
Political awareness and understanding of socio-economic factors.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.
In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:
Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Research and analytical skills.
Drafting skills.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
Ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Diversity and Inclusion
In line with this commitment and based on the operational needs of our team in Herat, qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from candidates with disabilities.
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Fraud warning
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.