Afghanaid Horticulture Specialist

Purpose of this position

Under the direct management of the Project Manager, this position holder will be responsible for leading horticulture sector of EDP-05A CARD-F by Afghanaid in Khash district of Badakhshan. In collaboration with project manager, the incumbent will be responsible for designing and implementation of horticulture sector programme interventions. The incumbent will be responsible to develop the capacity of project technical staff in horticulture sector. The capacity building will be done using innovative and result-oriented methods and approaches, including coaching, mentoring, structured technical training and demonstrations. The incumbent will provide necessary advisory and technical support to project technical staff under horticulture sector of the project by Afghanaid and its partners, from civil society and government departments particularly MAIL and DAIL. The post holder will also establish working relationship with relevant stakeholders to build network and alliances to bring in best horticulture practices from others and to influence policy and practice of the government for horticulture sector development.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties

Horticulture sector programme design and development 1. In line with the agreed horticulture sector strategy by MAIL, and building on lessons and best practices and successes of Afghanaid and others’ work, assist in the process of project planning and implementation.

1. Lead innovation for the growth of horticulture sector programme through piloting new methods and horticulture technologies.

Programme Implementation 1. Provide support to design and delivery of project inception/mobilisation workshops in the district or province, including all relevant staff, with specific outcomes including development of horticulture sector work plan of the project linked with budget break down per activity; agreement on operational strategies for gender quality, disaster risk reduction, sustainability, working relationship with the DAIL/MAIL, etc.

1. Work closely with the other technical sectors and ensure effective cross-sectoral teams relationship and integration of different organisational priorities in horticulture sector work
2. Oversee effective implementation of all stages of Project Cycle Management (PCM), put in place a system to track progress against approved / agreed activities and outcomes, including spend rate progress
3. Ensure that annual and quarterly work plans of the horticulture sector are developed jointly and effectively implemented.
4. Facilitate the technical teams to develop annually or six monthly realistic monthly activity implementation work plan and monthly spend forecasts; and ensuring weekly reviews are held and monitoring of actual expenditures as provided by finance against the planned activities and budget spend forecasts and be able to take timely decisions on significant under / over spends to put on track projects execution
5. Provide technical guidance and backstopping to sector team on promotion of women and poor friendly technical solutions that are low cost, sustainable and based on indigenous knowledge and wisdom to overcome food insecurity, reduce poverty and promote economic growth through induction of high value horticulture programme. Capacity Development
6. Design, and oversee development of appropriate capacity development programme and plan for all staff working under horticulture sector, ensure it is resourced / budgeted and lead its effective implementation
7. Ensure design of materials including training manuals for field staff and lead farmers; to cover areas including but not limited to demonstration methods, farmers field school, rural institutional capacity building e.g. of farmers/producers associations and cooperatives, to be produced in local language.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management 1. In consultation with M&E specialist ensure an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism is in place to track and measure outcomes and impact of sectoral work. 2. Facilitate sectoral team to build in the work plans and budgets monitoring and evaluation specific activities and cost 3. Support Project Manger on the production of TORs for midterm review and end of the project evaluations, assist to identify potential resource persons to carry out these reviews and evaluations. 4. Guide sector team in identifying through regular monitoring and removing constraints blocking smooth implementation and achieving planned results and outcomes 5. In consultation with M&E specialist and project manger design donor specific monitoring sheet to gather project data on regular basis, which will in turn assist Afghanaid in maintaining an updated database of all field activities at district, provincial and head office level and will assist in donor reporting and production of internal reports and publications 6. Undertake regular field visits to conduct technical monitoring and assess programme impact and provide technical feedback in relation to achievements, shortcomings, and recommendations for improvement of sectoral team. 7. Ensure knowledge management including research, documentation and sharing of best practices and lesson learned from innovative models and approaches applied in production of high value horticulture under the project by Afghanaid.

Reporting and Documentation 1. Support project manager to prepare narrative technical monthly, quarterly and annual reports as per Afghanaid/donor requirements. 2. Prepare periodic ‘write ups’ on success stories/best practices at field level.

Resource Management 1. Assist in recruitment of technical sector staff and performance management, mentoring and support of staff directly reporting to the post. 2. Provide mentoring support to the direct reports, and where required other staff 3. Put in place an on-the-job mentoring and coaching system for learning enhancement of the provincial and district level staff particularly Project Agriculturists, DVMs and undertake routine stock take of progress 4. Responsible for preparing annual and sub-annual budgets for your sector specific programme interventions.

External Representation and Networking 1. As advised by project manager represent Afghanaid in relevant technical forums/meetings and facilitate greater effectiveness of ongoing horticulture/rural sector programmes at national and sub-national level

Advocacy and Influencing 1. Support project manager on research and studies to document evidence from Afghanaid’s own and others work to strengthen organisational position on key relevant issues e.g. subsidies on agriculture inputs for farmers, role of women farmers in high value horticulture production and marketing, etc. to influence government and donors policies and strategies in agriculture/ horticulture sector.

Other 1. Participate in the recruitment and technical appraisal of all relevant staff and advise the project manager on staff capacity enhancements 2. Perform any other tasks as required by project manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education & Professional Qualification Essential: Master’s Degree in Agriculture or related field

Work Experience

• Minimum 7-12 years of practical experience in a reputable international/national NGO in a similar role at national and/or regional/provincial level • State of the art understanding of the successful knowledge transfer methodologies and approaches with hands on experience of them, in a context where capacities and formal education is not well developed • Previous experience in the field of horticulture with skills and competence in technical project design, implementation and management. • Experience in planning, organizing and getting the things done • Previous work experience in Afghanistan and/or other conflict countries of remote management of professional relationships • Working closely with the government line authorities • Proven track record of gender mainstreaming in long-term agriculture development programme • Promoting and getting results on women farmers-focused grassroots programmes

Professional skills and expertise required

• Ability to deal with difficult, often challenging work situations • Behavioral role model for direct reports, peers and fellow team members • Proven skills in mentoring, coaching and facilitating learning of national staff • Proven track record of both food security, agriculture developement as well as markets driven production programme design and effective implementation, monitoring and reporting • Mentoring, coaching and developing capacities and skills of national staff through variety of ways including practical demonstration of tasks, including transfer of knowledge • Physical fitness for travel to difficult terrain and willingness for sustained fieldwork • Commitment to humanitarian principles and action and to Afghanaid’s equal opportunity and gender policies • Proficiency in most common computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint • Fluent in English - spoken and written (knowledge of Dari will be a value addition)

Values and Attitude

1) Personal integrity, sense of humour, intuitive and self motivation 2) Knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses 3) Ability to manage conflicting priorities in personal workload 4) Sensitivity to Islamic culture and respect of Afghan customs and traditions 5) Drive to achieve results and get the things done

How to apply:

Please note that this position is contingent upon availability of funding. 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. Closing date of applications February 23rd, 2013