Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In particular, FAO provides a combination of humanitarian and basic needs/non-humanitarian assistance to female and male farmers and herders across Afghanistan in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation and natural resources sub-sectors through its projects and programs, as described in the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2027, specifically under UNSFA Priority 2 Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Afghanistan. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Regional Office , who will be responsible for all day-to-day supervision. The technical guidance will be provided by Plant Production and Protection Team Leader. The performance evaluation will be done by the direct supervisor in close consultation with the technical supervisor, i.e. Plant Production and Protection Team Leader.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the regional level agricultural and plant production and protection activities and provide technical support all related aspects including certification processes as may be required.

Tasks and  Responsibilities

•     Support the preparation, review, and dissemination of regional and country specific technical communication materials related to the agriculture sector, ensuring basic consistency and clarity, under the guidance of technical staff. 
•     Assist in providing field level support and basic technical guidance to implementing partners (IPs) and beneficiaries on wheat and other crops’ cultivation practices, in line with climate smart and sustainable agriculture approaches and as guided by FAO technical staff.
•     Support the promotion of FAO’s mandate, programmes, national priorities, and activities at the field level, in coordination with the Regional Office and under the guidance of the Regional Coordinator. 
•     Assist with coordination and collaboration with implementing partners (IPs), UN agencies, development partners, NGOs/CSOs, and relevant private sector actors in the agriculture sector, as required. 
•     Provide administrative and field-level support to the Regional Coordinator in coordination with stakeholders, including IPs and the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC). 
•     Assist in the implementation of project activities in accordance with approved work plans and budgets. 
•     Support the identification and mapping of potential implementing partners for emergency and resilience interventions in the region. 
•     Assist in monitoring the distribution of agricultural inputs (including wheat seed, fertilizer, vegetable seeds, and hand tools) to targeted beneficiaries. 
•     Conduct routine field visits, under supervision, to support monitoring of FAO emergency and resilience activities, including agriculture input distributions and related interventions. 
•     Assist the Emergency and Resilience Unit in the collection of background information and field data required for planning and reporting of emergency and livelihood response activities. 
•     Support the supervisor(s) in coordination with relevant government counterparts and local stakeholders, including agriculture-related directorates and institutions, to facilitate information sharing and field-level coordination. 
•     Assist in field-level activities related to seed multiplication, certification processes, and demonstration activities, as guided by technical staff. 
•     Support the supervisor(s) on delivery of training sessions and awareness activities for implementing partners and beneficiaries, including logistical arrangements and documentation. 
•     Assist in basic data collection, compilation, and initial analysis related to project activities, beneficiaries, and field observations. 
•     Support assessments of natural disaster– and conflict-affected households through field data collection and timely sharing of information with the FAO Sub/Regional Office and Kabul Office. 
•     Assist in maintaining project records and providing raw field data for inclusion in technical, progress, and terminal reports. 
•     Prepare routine weekly and monthly activity reports and provide inputs to technical reports, as requested by the Regional Coordinator. 
•     Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or related field with 4 years and above, field experience in implementing Agricultural or Agronomy or related programs. 
•     At least 2 years of UN or INGO experience is desirable.
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English and local languages (Pashto and/or Dari).
•     National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills  

•     Experience of working with the United Nations or other international organizations (especially those working in the field of agriculture) will be preferred.
•     Ability to work independently is preferred.
•     Excellent organization and coordination skills are required.
•      Ability to write clearly and conduct trainings in required  languages are highly preferred.
•     Experience of working in emergency conditions is preferred.
•     Experience organizing stakeholder meetings or workshops with various partners.
•     Strong professional command of Microsoft Office, in particular Word and Excel.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION