UNOPS

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

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.

THIS ROLE IS OPEN FOR BOTH NATIONALS AND INTERNATIONALS

This position will support the UNOPS Afghanistan Office in the development and implementation of a new project focused on supporting the private sector in the country. The project aims to support value chains, business support services, and private sector advisory services to foster a robust private sector ecosystem in Afghanistan.

UNOPS Afghanistan is seeking to recruit one or more Private Sector Development Senior Advisors with specific expertise in value chain resilience, incubation services, private sector advisory, and/or related fields. This recruitment is open to both national and international applicants.

In-person missions to Afghanistan, possibly including outside of Kabul, may be required.

The Private Sector Development Senior Advisor will provide expert advice and support to the UNOPS Afghanistan Office in the development of a project supporting the private sector in the country. The consultant will work remotely to support project design, concept development, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with project objectives and donor priorities. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Head of Programmes with day-to-day coordination with focal points from the Partnerships Development Unit.

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

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in private sector development, investment promotion, policy advisory, or economic policy in developing countries 

• countries, including at least 3 years in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

• Proven track record of designing and implementing successful private sector development initiatives.

• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership building with senior representatives from the private sector, government, and international donor communities.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex socio-economic issues, identify opportunities for private sector growth, and develop innovative solutions.

• Experience in value chain analysis and development, particularly in the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors.

Note: UNOPS is seeking advisors with expertise in one or more of the areas listed above. Applicants should highlight their specific area(s) of expertise in their application.

Desired

• Relevant certifications in private sector development or investment promotion

• Experience working with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) on private sector development projects.

• Experience in capacity building and knowledge transfer.  

• Experience in public-private partnerships and investment promotion programs.

• In-depth knowledge of the operational modalities, strategic priorities, and financing instruments of major IFIs (e.g., World Bank, ADB, IFC) related to private sector development.

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

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

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.