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 2024 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) or Deputy FAO Representative (DFAOR) in Afghanistan. S/he will work under the guidance of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer (Head of Programme Unit) and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (Programme), Plant Protection and Production Team Lead or as may be assigned, who will provide day-to-day technical/functional guidance, assign and monitor the daily tasks and be responsible for the performance evaluation at the end of the contract.

Technical Focus

The Plant Protection and Production Assistant (Horticulture) will provide technical and operational support for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of horticulture related activities across FAO projects, with particular emphasis on vegetables seeds and orchard establishment, sapling quality control and selection, and trellis system design (I  and T trellis) in multiple provinces.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provides technical information, guidance on identifying climate smart horticulture-based marketable livelihoods in project targeted areas.
• Supports the establishment and follow up of established orchards, including site selection, land preparation, spacing, planting techniques, irrigation layout, and orchard management.
• Provides technical oversight for orchard establishment across different provinces, ensuring alignment with FAO standards and national best practices.
• Supports with the selection, inspection, and quality control of fruit saplings, including varietal suitability, rootstock compatibility, plant health, and nursery standards.
• Assists with drafting technical specifications for procurement of vegetables seeds, saplings, planting materials, fertilizers, and orchard management inputs.
• Provides technical inputs for initiating bids related to Horticulture.
• Provides technical assistance in the design, establishment, and supervision of trellis systems, including I trellis and T trellis, for grapes and other relevant fruit crops.
• Supports the provincial teams and beneficiaries in selecting and monitoring the trellis based on types of crops, soil conditions, water availability ensuring cost efficiency.
• Develops and delivers training packages and ToT modules on orchard management, pruning, trellising, integrated nutrient management, and pest and disease control.
• Produces and disseminates technical manuals, guidelines, and IEC materials on orchard establishment, sapling handling, and trellis systems.
• Supports CIGs to find a way to approach the market on horticulture growth, harvesting and marketing conditions in the project areas.
• Contributes towards the preparation of project reports, case studies, success stories, manuals, guidelines, and other relevant specialized publications.
• Provides technical guidance in the broader areas of the horticulture related activities and its impact on food security.
• Performs any other tasks may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field with 4 years and above, field experience in implementing Horticulture or Agricultural or related programs.
• At least 2 years of UN or INGO experience is desirable in Horticulture or Agriculture.
• 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.
• Experience in Horticulture with UN/INGO.
• Experience on climatic challenges and ability to suggest on orchard’s based on the climate.
• Experience with providing training with setting up of orchards.
• Experience on water management for vegetables and orchard plantations.
• Experience in marketing and suggesting best avenues for value chain.

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills;
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;
• Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered;
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
• If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

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