Access to Finance Consultant – to conduct market scan/assessment of agricultural

funds, financial institutions and products for potential engagement with P2P project

Brief details

• Location: Kabul, with some travel to Herat, Bamiyan, Kandahar provinces

• Organization: CRS

• Deadline: 2026-07-25

Purpose and Scope

The consultant will provide technical expertise to strengthen access to finance within agricultural

value chains by assessing financial institutions, financial products, and identifying constraints and

opportunities affecting agricultural producers and SMEs to access agricultural finance under the P2P

project. The consultant will assess potential linkages between producers, SMEs, and financial service

providers; potential for partnerships with financial institutions- based on current or adjusted

financial packages/products; develop practical recommendations and reports to improve financial

inclusion to facilitate improvement in access to goods and services within the market systems of

Saffron, Pomegranate, Potato and Grapes/Raisins.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

The consultant will undertake the following assignment:

Financial Market Assessment

• Assess agricultural funds and financial institutions at national and provincial level, for

suitability for SME/business and smallholder lending

• Identify barriers limiting access to finance for farmers, key support service providers (input

suppliers, irrigation companies) agribusinesses, SMEs, women and youth.

Financial Product Development/Adjustments

• Assess existing financial products including Sharia-compliant, asset-based, and working

capital products relevant to agriculture and identify opportunities for engagement by P2P

• Explore product adjustment areas such as favorable repayment schedules with agriculture

production cycles or asset use plans, and blended or concessional financing

• Recommend practical modifications to improve accessibility and suitability for SMEs and

producers, women and youth-based lending packages.

Expected Deliverables

Deliverable Timeline

Work Plan and Assessment Methodology. July 31st

2026

Financial Market Assessment Report, including mapping of financial institutions,

financial products, financing gaps, stakeholder consultations, and

recommendations.

August 31st

2026

Develop fit for purpose Access to Finance Strategy, including partnership framework

and engagement plan for financial institutions.

August 31st

2026

Qualifications:

Advanced university degree in Finance, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Business

Administration, Rural Development, or a related field.

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in access to finance,

agricultural finance, financial inclusion, microfinance, or enterprise development.

Demonstrated experience working with commercial banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs),

development finance institutions (DFIs), and other financial service providers in designing,

facilitating, or strengthening access-to-finance initiatives.

Proven experience in a similar technical advisory or consultancy role with an international non-

governmental organization (INGO), UN agency, or donor-funded development project, preferably in

livelihoods, agriculture, financial inclusion, or Market Systems Development (MSD).

Demonstrated experience in conducting market scans of financial institutions, development of

tailored strategies, and financial inclusion strategies for farmers, producer groups, and MSMEs.

Experience designing and facilitating partnerships between financial institutions, private sector

actors, and development organizations.

Skills:

Technical expertise in agricultural finance, financial inclusion, and Market Systems Development

(MSD).

Financial market assessment, value chain finance, and inclusive business model analysis.

Financial product development, business planning, and loan readiness support.

Partnership building, stakeholder engagement, and market facilitation.

Strong analytical, communication, and technical report writing skills.

• Monitoring, learning, adaptive management, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Gender-responsive finance and women's economic empowerment.

Abilities

• Ability to conduct financial sector and access-to-finance assessments.

• Ability to identify financing constraints and develop market-based financial solutions.

• Ability to build partnerships with financial institutions, private sector actors, and

development partners.

• Ability to analyze financial data and translate findings into practical recommendations.

• Ability to design and facilitate financial inclusion and agricultural finance interventions.

• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Required Languages: English (required); Dari and/or Pashto (preferred).CRS realizes that Bidders may have additional questions after reading this RFP and therefore,

they can address their inquiries to CRS procurement vail email procurement.afg@crs.org or

call the cellphone according to the instructions in the RFP.