Who we are: ACGF – Afghan Credit Guarantee Foundation (ACGF) is a charitable foundation based in Cologne and Berlin, Germany. Our mission is to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Afghanistan by providing credit guarantees and technical assistance to Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs), and grants to MSMEs.
Established in 2014, ACGF launched its operations in January 2015 as an institutional successor of the Credit Guarantee Facility for Afghanistan (CGF-A). Our funders are DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (member of the KfW Group), the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the World Bank and the European Union. ACGF is supported by its Afghan subsidiary SCSA – SME Client Support Afghanistan LLC.
We are looking for a Deputy Head of the Guarantee and Grant Transactions Management Department (f/m/*) in Berlin or Cologne. The Deputy will serve as acting Head of the Department during a one-year maternity leave of the current Head of the Department (planned for the period April 2026 – March 2027).
As an employee at ACGF, you will benefit from a great opportunity to gain valuable professional experience in the areas of Guarantee and Grant Operations, with the possibility of mobile working 3 days a week.
What You will do:
You will support the day-to-day administration and processing of guarantee and grant operations, ensuring that all transactions are executed efficiently, accurately, and in full compliance with internal policies, donor requirements, and environmental and social standards.
As Deputy, you will act as a key operational focal point and supervise a team of five direct reports (and up to ten indirect), ensuring timely processing, data quality, and adherence to established procedures. The role is strongly focused on implementation, documentation, and control of guarantee and grant-related operations.
The Transaction Management Department works in close coordination with the Guarantee Business Department. While the Transaction Management Department focuses on processing-related aspects of the guarantee and grant business (back office), the Business Department generates business in close coordination with our Partner Institutions.
Key Responsibilities: Guarantee & Grant Operations
Oversee processing and monitoring of blanket guarantees, delinquency monitoring, claims, recoveries, and guarantee fees in line with operational and E&S standards.
Oversee the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of grant processes at partner level and internally.
Review and validate submissions to internal committees.
Ensure complete, accurate, and timely documentation of guarantee and grant transactions.
Process Development and Compliance
Ensure the compliant application of operational manuals, guarantee agreements, cooperation guidelines, and E&S standards.
Identify process gaps, bottlenecks, or inconsistencies and propose practical improvements to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
Define, optimize, and update operational processes, policies, and procedures for guarantees and grants, and the implementation of ACGF’s E&S framework.
Ensure consistent and correct use of templates, forms, and reporting formats and further develop these in a continuous improvement process.
Update legal agreements with partners in line with process related adjustments.
Support the integration of processes into MIS and ensure alignment with data quality and reporting frameworks.
Contribute to routine operational reports, portfolio summaries, and compliance reporting
Partner & Stakeholder Coordination
Liaise with partner institutions on guarantee and grant procedures and support the alignment of partner policies and capacities.
Provide clarification and guidance to partners on documentation requirements and process steps.
Leadership & Supervision
Supervise 5 operational staff at ACGF and 10 indirect reports at subsidiary level.
Ensure workload distribution, task follow-up, and adherence to deadlines.
Support recruitment, capacity development, training, and daily mentoring to ensure adequate operational capacity.
Provide daily guidance and mentoring to strengthen operational performance and compliance.
Your Profile: Professional Experience
Minimum 4–5 years of relevant experience in credit administration, guarantee schemes, loan processing, or development finance operations.
Experience working with financial institutions or MSME finance.
Proven experience in supervising complex operational processes and teams.
Experience working with donor-funded programs is highly desirable.
Technical Skills
Strong knowledge of credit processing workflows (possibly also for guarantees).
Experience in process optimization and operational efficiency improvements.
Familiarity with MIS systems and operational data workflows is an asset.
Strong skills in MS Excel and operational tracking tools.
Leadership & Management
Proven experience in supervising teams and coordinating complex operational workflows.
Sound judgment and decision-making capability under pressure.
Ability to mentor, motivate, and develop staff while ensuring accountability and performance.
Analytical & Strategic Skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Capacity to translate strategy into operational execution.
Experience with KPI development, performance monitoring, and reporting.
Personal Competencies
Structured, disciplined, and highly organized.
Excellent communication and coordination skills with internal and external stakeholders.
Resilient, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
Proficiency in English.
Knowledge of German/Dari/Pashu is an asset.
What we offer:
A job in a distinctly international environment offering steep learning curves and close cooperation with your team
Opportunity to contribute to a visible economic development impact in Afghanistan
Great opportunity for learning and professional growth
An open and cooperative working atmosphere
Short communication and decision-making processes
Competitive salary
Participation in training courses
Flexible working hours including mobile working possibilities (by arrangement three days a week)
An office in the heart of Berlin, easily accessible by public transport
Working abroad up to 4 weeks per year
Free ‘Deutschlandticket`
Subsidy for ‘Urban Sports Club’
Regular team lunches and events
Relocation support if needed
We are looking forward to getting to know you.
For more information about us, please visit our website at www.acgf.de. Please applyhere with a CV and remuneration expectation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
For questions regarding this position please contact Cynthia Walbaum at c.walbaum@acgf.de.
