About Afghanaid

Job Summary

Under the overall management supervision of the Horticulture Specialist, the incumbent will assist the Horticulture Specialist in the development of a comprehensive rationalized business plan by providing and assisting with technical, operational and financial details for the technical design, specifications and development high value horticulture in order to improve production of quality and suitable horticulture crops in the targeted project area. S/he will ensure selection, mobilize and train project beneficiaries, identify land, location, facility of irrigation, test out and introduce improved production technologies, identify suitable land, irrigation facility, assess training and inputs requirement and provide all necessary support and assistance to the project staff and beneficiaries and ensure effective implementation of planned activities with quality assurance

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Identify needs, advise and assist the all relevant field staff in all matters relating to the development and implementation of the high value agriculture components of EDP-05A project.
2. Continually assess the quality of work and technical competence of all relevant field staff, and ensure that capacity building needs are met through training, on-the-job coaching or other methods, as appropriate. For higher profitability and long- term sustainability.
3. Provide relevant technical trainings, training of trainers, and farmers’ field school on high value agricultural/horticultural best practices including: selection of variety, quality land preparation and planting, inter-cultural management and technical assistance, irrigation, disease and pest control, soil fertility management, harvesting, post-harvest handling and marketing for project beneficiaries and the producer’s organization.

Specific duties

1. Identify needs of the staff and beneficiaries, plan, provide advice, technical support and extension services to the staff and beneficiaries for the effective implementation and management of high value agriculture component.
2. Establish effective communication and liaison with district Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL), seek and collaborate technical advice and assistance to relevant staff and beneficiaries on field as required.
3. Prepare monthly activity plan of the relevant staff, implement in the field, supervise and monitor progress of performance of the agriculture component.
4. Visit all target working area sites at 80 % time to field in each month to assess the performance of agricultural staff and provide information, encouragement and technical support and assistance as required.
5. Collect all necessary data from the field, identify farmers, land, inputs requirement and process the necessary procurement and distribution of inputs and materials, monitor to ensure effective distribution and implementation.
6. Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly activity plan, review and monitor progress in the field; prepare and submit progress report to the line manager timely.
7. Through monthly base visits to target field should provide case study, success stories and outcome detail report from staff, communities and target beneficiaries.
8. Provide all technical training through developing modules and materials and conducted training with agriculturist for staff and beneficiaries.
9. Actively participate in different meetings, liaise with relevant government departments, local government and NGO representatives at the district level, share experience and learn best practices and success stories, and build networks.

Job Requirements

The applicant should possess at least Bachelor Degree in horticulture, Agriculture, Agriculture extension of relevant discipline from a reputed university or institution.

At least 5-7 years of working experience in the field of high value cropping, technical assistance training and capacity building of staff and beneficiaries of the related field.

Good knowledge of extension methodologies, intercultural management, disease and pest management, harvest and post harvest handling of horticulture crops in Afghanistan.


Proven experience in participatory approaches and tools, technical training, assessment, monitoring & evaluation and report writing

Evidence of a highly developed computer literacy

Candidate must have highly developed competencies in communication and analysis in English and Dari/Pashtu language.

Demonstrative evidence of having lived and worked in complex political emergencies or post conflict context and excellent interpersonal capabilities

Well developed technical reporting skills – both for narrative and financial reporting

Ability to provide technical supervision, motivate, train and develop project staff and beneficiaries


Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff is passionate about and proud of their work and Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities / tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations.

Submission Guideline

Please send your detailed CV with relevant academic and work experience certificate (electronic version). Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Applicants are requested to submit their CVs along with a cover letter explaining suitability for the position at vacancies@afghanaid.org.uk

Deadline for submission is Dec 12th 2013

Functional Area

Agriculture

Countries

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