Afghanistan Livelihoods Specialist

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

World Vision is implementing a USAID Food-for-Peace Title II integrated three year Multi-Year Assistance program (MYAP) called HEALING. The program focuses on Health (Mother-Child Health and Nutrition) and Agriculture. Its objectives are on improving the health and livelihoods status of 5 districts of Ghor Province through integrated health and agriculture activities. The position of Livelihoods Specialist is a full time program position based in Chaghcharan town of Ghor province in Afghanistan for the duration of the No Cost Extension, until the end of June 2012.

To provide technical assistance and project oversight for WV Afghanistan’s MYAP livelihood program. The Livelihoods Specialist is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting of all livelihoods activities under his/her supervision. The specialists will provide technical and training support under WVA MYAP to help establish food security in the operational districts of Ghor province. The position will specifically work to enhance knowledge and capacity of communities, agricultural groups, businesses, Department of Agriculture and other local partners to implement a series of activities designed to increase food production using improved techniques for sustainable food supply. The specialist will further direct, monitor and initiate necessary fieldwork related to the program’s agricultural efforts. The position will supervise planning and coordination of MYAP agricultural work, regularly inspect project sites, oversee implementation of activities, provide technical assistance to staff, DAIL and community groups and assure quality standards of all agricultural activities.

The Livelihoods Specialist will work under the direction of the MYAP Program Manager and in collaboration with the Public Health Specialist and the M & E Specialist will perform the designated tasks in order to achieve programmatic objectives and demonstrate a quality of excellent work standards that is an example to others.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management and Evaluation

Provide technical guidance and expertise necessary to fulfill program requirements. In coordination with the Program Manager, develop and periodically update the Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs) for MYAP activities under his responsibility. Provide leadership in developing and rolling out plans for the acceptance of new agriculture technologies and farming practices in Ghor. Guide the monitoring and evaluation aspect of Livelihoods. Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports in a timely manner. Monitor project progress ensuring goals and objectives are achieved within approved budgets. Build up the capacity of local communities, government’s Department of Agriculture and World Vision national staff by providing and facilitating the provision of relevant training. Provide agronomical technical assistance and follow up to Livelihoods activities and other approaches to strengthen market-lined agriculture. Strengthen capacity of communities to help communities create or improve productive assets for food production for household consumption and marketing. Oversee work planning and coordination, monitoring and tracking of food crop activities; assist with analysis of activities, problems and issues, which may adversely affect overall crop production. Develop and guide training focussing on among other issues, seed selection, improved farming practices, more efficient crop production, including best methods of planting, cultivation, harvesting, post-harvest handling, pest control and effects of various climatic conditions on crops, weed control crop diseases, and storage as well as environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. Initiate a market-based agricultural approach, including analysing food value chains and linking private sector to targeted farmer groups and communities to improve agriculture production, agribusiness and marketing of food crops and facilitate access to price information and connect farmers to markets by creating linkages between farmer groups and the private sector. Evaluate technical interventions for all agriculture interventions and make recommendations where necessary to strengthen the overall interventions and outcomes, ensure sustainable crop production and to link farmer production to markets to generate income. Ensure the involvement of women beneficiaries in agriculture training, activity participation and technical support.

Human Resource Management

Oversee recruitment of livelihoods technical staff. Conduct regular staff appraisals based on WV HR procedures. Discuss and support realistic individual development plans. Train staff to fully meet job requirements assuring space and opportunities for individual development.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

REQUIRED:

A degree in agricultural marketing, agriculture economics or other agriculture discipline with work experience in rural agriculture and or marketing and agribusiness. At least five years experience working with agricultural production and rural agribusiness. Ability to conduct assessments, especially agriculture systems, technology, markets and products assessments and using market data for decision making. Good communicator and ability to train other staff to high levels of competency. Ability to coordinate multi stakeholder forums and training. Ability to plan and execute training programs. Good knowledge of livelihoods security framework. Good time management and scheduling skills. Honesty and personal integrity Able to work in a cross-cultural environment with multi-national and international staff. Willingness to travel on a regular basis within the country and in other countries. Demonstrated capacity building approach to supporting staff development. Requires emotional maturity and ability to adjust to harsh living conditions. Willingness to be based in Chaghcharan, Ghor Province. Committed to the mission and core values of World Vision. Excellent interpersonal communication, networking and negotiation skills, including working in teams in a cross-cultural context.

PREFERRED:

Work experience in volatile and conflict-affected context preferred. Knowledge of World Vision and its working systems is an added advantage. Knowledge and Experience in working with USAID resources. Fluency in Dari is an advantage.

How to apply:

If you are qualified and interested in the position, please visit our website to apply: https://jobs.wvi.org/webjobs.nsf/WebPublished/B172AED95CDA46AB8825796E00...

World Vision is an equal opportunity employer.