Deadline: 21/06/24
The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Mission Afghanistan is pleased to announce an open competition for eligible organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to empower Afghan women to conduct home-based, remote, and other creative employment arrangements tailored to fit the unique circumstances in Afghanistan.
This initiative seeks to address the challenges faced by Afghan women, particularly in accessing employment opportunities, by equipping them with the skills and resources needed for home-based, remote, and other creative employment arrangements.
Program Goal
- The goal of this NOFO is to support projects that build on past successes and address existing challenges to empower Afghan women with the skills and opportunities needed for remote and home-based employment. Success will be measured by tangible outcomes such as increased participation of women in remote jobs or home-based works, improved employability and economic independence, and a shift in societal attitudes towards women’s workforce participation. The project should aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society where Afghan women can thrive economically and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Program Objectives
- The project objectives should include:
- Empower Afghan women with the necessary skills, resources, and confidence to engage in remote and home-based employment.
- Facilitate access to job opportunities in remote or home-based work for Afghan women:
- By providing targeted training and support;
- By stablishing strategic partnerships with remote or home-based work-friendly organizations to provide direct job opportunities for Afghan women;
- By providing ongoing mentorship and support to women participating in the initiative to navigate professional challenges and build lasting connections, focusing on practical steps to ensure their success in remote or home-based work.
- Create sustainable pathways towards economic independence for Afghan women.
- Monitor and evaluate the progress of participants, training programs, and overall impact of the initiative to ensure effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
- Continuously adapt and improve the program to address changing circumstances and enhance its effectiveness over time, optimize opportunities for Afghan women in remote or home-based work.
Areas
- PDS seeks proposals for projects that should address at least one or more of the following areas:
- Career Readiness Workshops: Enhancing women’s skills for home-based and remote employment through targeted training sessions to explain these models and coach women on setting up these types of work arrangements.
- Mentorship Programs: Providing ongoing support and guidance to women participating in the initiative by establishing mentorship relationships. Guiding participants through the job search, application, and interview process, and in their first months of employment.
- Placement and Matchmaking Services: Establishing relationships with remote or home-based work-friendly employers, raising awareness among such employers about the skills available to them through remote employment arrangements with Afghan women, facilitating engagement between program participants and employers through virtual career fairs or other opportunities, etc.
- On-the-Job Training Programs: Facilitating practical experience and skills building in the remote work sector through virtual internship or job training experiences.
- Advocacy and Awareness: Raising awareness among Afghan women about the opportunities of remote work arrangements and best practices in seeking and maintaining such employment.
- Strengthening Partnerships for Remote/Home-based Work Empowerment: Establishing collaborations with organizations specializing in remote and home-based work initiatives to enhance women’s access to job opportunities in these environments, providing tailored resources and mentorship
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $750,000
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $250,000 to a maximum of $750,000
- Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months
- Number of awards anticipated: One award (up to three awards)
- Anticipated program start date: September 30, 2024
Sample Approaches to Achieve the Project Objectives could include the following activities:
- Tailored Capacity Building Workshops
- Develop specialized workshops covering essential skills for home-based and remote employment tailored to the needs and context of Afghan women.
- Engage experienced instructors who understand the cultural nuances and challenges faced by women in Afghanistan.
- Provide hands-on training in areas such as C.V. writing, job interview techniques, and remote job or home-based work-specific competencies.
- Strategic On-the-Job Training Programs
- Forge partnerships with remote or home-based work-friendly organizations to provide practical experience and insights into the remote or home-based work sector.
- Establish mentorship programs within partnering organizations to provide ongoing support and guidance to women during their training.
- Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of on-the-job training programs to ensure alignment with participants’ needs and industry requirements.
- Forming Strategic Partnerships
- Establish partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders including remote or home-based work-friendly businesses, educational institutions, NGOs, and media outlets.
- Develop Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) outlining the terms of collaboration and mutual support including commitments for training, internship, and job placements where possible.
- Foster regular communication channels and networking events to facilitate knowledge sharing and resource mobilization.
- Robust Mentorship Programs
- Design structured mentorship programs to provide personalized support and guidance to women throughout their journey in home-based and remote employment.
- Recruit mentors with relevant expertise and experience in the remote job and/or home-based work sector to offer valuable insights and advice.
- Conduct periodic progress reviews to assess the effectiveness of mentorship relationships and identify areas for improvement.
- Establishment of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
- Develop a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress of participants and assess the impact of the initiative.
- Collect qualitative and quantitative data through participant feedback mechanisms, performance metrics, and regular assessments.
- Utilize data analysis to identify trends, measure outcomes, and make data-driven decisions for program improvement.
- Continuous Improvement Mechanisms:
- Establish feedback loops to gather input from participants, stakeholders, and partners for continuous program improvement.
- Regularly review program design and activities to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging needs.
- Encourage a culture of learning and innovation to ensure the initiative remains responsive and effective throughout its implementation period.
Participants and Audiences
- This project is primarily designed to support and benefit women between the ages of 21-40 in Afghanistan, alongside a broad range of stakeholders including:
- Advocates for alternative work arrangements: Local community leaders and influencers, educational institutions, local NGOs, and civil society organizations interested in learning about and advocating for alternative work arrangements to facilitate Afghan women’s participation in the workforce.
- Potential Employers: International and Domestic Businesses and Donor Organizations that are permissive of remote work arrangements.
- Women entrepreneurs currently or previously working in sectors conducive to home-based, remote work, and creative employment arrangements.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is open to all types of applicants except for individuals.
- Organizations may sub-award/contract with other entities, but only one entity may be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-awarding/contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.