Silkworm Rearing Expert, Afghanistan

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a short-term Silkworm Rearing Expert for its subaward role on the USAID-funded Strengthening Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East and West (IDEA-NEW) program based in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. The purpose of this five-year program is to build on the initiatives of the preceding Alternative Livelihoods Programs to assist Afghan farmers in eliminating their dependence on the opium poppy economy. Primary target beneficiaries are farmers located in poppy prone districts of Balkh, Samangan, Saripul, Jawzjan and Faryab Provinces. The development of a thriving non-poppy economy will be assisted by increasing the competitiveness and diversity of regional sub-sectors with clear comparative advantages in fruit and vegetable production, poultry, carpets and textiles.
The project proposes to appoint an international expert to provide short-term technical assistance in silkworm rearing (Chawki) techniques.

Responsibilities / Deliverables:

• Develop the manual, curriculum, guideline and training materials on Chawki rearing based on local climate and sericulture resources.
• Improve the practical and technical silk Chawki rearing skills for the MAIL sericulture staff, IDEA-NEW trainers and silkworm producers for enhancement of Chawki rearing practices in project area.
• The International Silkworm Chawki Rearing Expert will provide classroom and practical training to promote the Chawki Rearing Process in project area. The ISCRE will be involved for first 3 weeks in technical training including 5 weeks in Practical training;
• Develop the Chawki rearing model center including chemical treatment, selection of mulberry leaf process for the future promotion of the Chawki rearing practices at the community level.
• Identify potential gaps or weaknesses within the local market that would affect the development of the Chawki system in Mazar (e.g. chemicals available, materials for Chawki construction).
• Draft a training manual and guideline (Dari/English) on silk Chawki rearing processes, which will be submitted to IDEA-NEW Office for the IDEA-NEW trainers and DAIL sericulture professional staff.
• Provide recommendations for equipment required to refurbish one large room at the Balkh DAIL Sericulture Center into a demonstration “Chawki” silkworm rearing facility.
• Provide recommendations for home based silkworm Chawki rearing practices for silkworm farmers and explain potential weaknesses located within the market to develop these houses.

Qualifications:

• Master/Diploma Degree (India /China/Thailand) in Sericulture production including sericulture related training.
• Minimum 15 Years’ experience in silkworm production, DFLs treatment, and silkworm Chawki rearing process and Chawki rearing house renovation.
• 10 Years working experience in Sericulture project for the Community silkworm Production and Chawki rearing process.
• Professional working experience with sericulture farms, NGOs, and silkworm farmers and sericulture directorate for silkworm production development.Must be fluent in English; knowledge of Pashto and/or Dari Persian will be useful. 
• Experience in value chain assessment and development.
• Experience working with the private sector, producer organizations and smallholder livestock farmers along the agricultural value chain.

No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.

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