Agro-business and Value Chain Specialist (Kunduz, Afghanistan)

Agro-business and Value Chain Specialist Duties but not limited to:

• Directly reports to Project Manager and provides technical expertise to Project Manager and Value Chain Officers.  Provides necessary instructions and expertise in areas like cash grants, Self-help Groups (SHGs), agribusinesses, enhanced agricultural production, pre- and post-harvest handling, storage, processing, improved food safety and security, improved market linkages, business development and marketing strategies and linkages.  Develops innovative mechanisms and approaches for improving the income and economic stability of the targeted new and existing women-led Agro-businesses.  Identify and disseminate information and knowledge on new market opportunities with the Project Manager and Value Chain Officers as a result of research conducted in the market.   Develops marketing and business strategies, modules and approaches to establish linkage between the project’s beneficiaries with other community producer groups, cooperatives, associations, companies, businesses and other intermediaries by introducing processing, marketing, packaging and selling tips and techniques.  He/she shall be supporting the new and existing women-led agro-businesses to get registered as legal associations or unions in MAIL or other relevant authorities.  He / she will be facilitating and supporting the procurement and logistic staff of the project and organization in purchasing inputs and equipment necessary for the project when and where required. He / she will be participating in all value chain and agriculture-related meetings conducted at the provincial level and will be representing AWARE Project’s deliverables therein. He / She will be conducting ToT and other capacity-building training and guidelines for the Value Chain Officers, life skills trainers and community mobilizers in areas where he / she deems it necessary and essential. He / she will be submitting weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual or any other schedule defined by the Project Manager and Consortium Lead on regular basis. Sharing the learning of the project’s activities with other consortium members.  To provide full support to the project’s team in providing insights, instructions and guidelines when necessary as per his / her findings from the project’s operations for improving and enhancing the project’s delivery. And other duty assigned by Project Manager and MEAL Manager.

• Best oral and written communication skills in English and local languages Possessing Bachelor or Master Degrees in Agriculture and Horticulture-related fields of activities Enjoying 5 to 7 years of relevant working experience Having full knowledge of cultural and religious sensitivities and values Compliance and adherence to all the organizational rules and regulations Be morally and disciplinary fit for the job. Having good knowledge and skills in computer particularly MS Word and MS PowerPoint Be able to work under pressure Be able to present a previous job’s sample of works