TOR

Provincial Extension Advisor/ Coordinator

Job Categories:Agriculture

Vacancy No: 0606/MAIL/SNaPP2

Position:Provincial Extension Advisor/ Coordinator

Minimum Education Level: Master Degree

Organization:SNaPP2 (General Directorate of Extension)

Duty Station:Nangarhar, Herat and Balkh

Duration:1 year (with possibility of extension)

No of Positions:3

Sex:Male\Female

Nationality: Afghan

Salary: Based on Qualification and Experiences

Announcement Date1/March/2016

Closing Date: 15/March/2016

Job Type: Full time

Experience: 5 Years

Background:

Support to National Priority Program2 (SNaPP2) is a development project of MAIL funded IFAD with the goal to improve food security and economic status of poor rural households in three provinces; Balkh, Herat and Nangarhar. The project will reach at least 57,000 households consisting of 427,500 people in these provinces.

The project has two specific objectives: (i) institutional development and capacity building of community organizations, public extension services and relevant private sector entities in the provinces; and (ii) sustained increased incomes of small farmers and herders fostered by improvements in productivity and output, infrastructure and market linkages. These objectives will be addressed through supporting institutions and services, fostering increased productivity and production, and where feasible, upgrading profitable agriculture/livestock value chains.

General Directorate of extension is the main stakeholders of the program and will lead the implementation of tow sub components 1. Extension services and 2.Small-holder Institutional development and Capacity Building. G.D of extension will establish program management unit under overall supervision of G.D general director who will be responsible for the implementation of the relate activities in three provinces.

Extension sub components will strengthen the extension directorate by: (i) establishing a women’s extension department in Kabul and a cadre of 12 female extension workers specialising in agriculture and livestock, in line with the Taksheel, across the six pilot districts; (ii) strengthening the male extension worker cadre at district level in agriculture and livestock; (iii) targeting young graduates from local agricultural faculties to be recruited as extension assistants, under the Taksheel, funded by the project in years 1-3 and by MAIL thereafter; and, (iv) adapting the curriculum, in collaboration with relevant MAIL directorates, using updated techniques.

Small-holder Institutional development and Capacity Building will strengthen the female CDCs through an orientation and training programme guaranteeing female CDCs’ direct control over financial resources, over some elements of project implementation and over female beneficiary selection.

Job summary:

Under the overall supervision of the General Director of Extension Agriculture Development (GDEAD) and direct supervision of Agriculture Specialist the Provincial Extension Advisor/ Coordinators will based in three provinces of Nangarhar, Balkh and Herat. The advisor/ coordinator will work closely with SNaPP2 technical staff and would be responsible to guide, manager and monitor all related activities at the province level. He/She will also work with DAIL directors and coordinate all project related activities with respective directors and receive their recommendations for the smooth implementation of the project. He/she will also support the general director of extension and agriculture development in all agriculture related aspects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assess existing situation of agricultural extension and rural support services in target areas;
  • Identify gaps to be filled of different agricultural activitiesfor enhanced production;
  • Assess existing capacities and limitations of the extension service providers;
  • Establish and support Farmer's Resource Centres (FRCs), farmer’s interest groups and producers' associations, and to facilitate private sector linkages.
  • Strengthen the planning, implementation and monitoring capacities of the provincial and district extension staff.
  • Establish and Support Farmers Field Schools (FFS) with close coordination of Extension workers.
  • Support the introduction and adoption of appropriate horticultural and agronomic technologies specifically for rain-feed and irrigated wheat productionand productivityto contribute to food security.
  • Review contributions of training programs launched for the farmers, field trainers, extension staff and the private sector stakeholders involved in the supply of inputs and market development.
  • Examine potentials for modernizing agriculture through delivery of effective extension and rural support services.
  • Provide support to public and private sector institutions involved in development of agriculture sector.
  • Advice, support and guide Provincial and District teams on agriculture related issues.
  • Identify and create farmers’ groups, associations and unions for the development and dissemination of agricultural extension and rural support services.
  • Suggest policy measures required for the improvement of agricultural extension and rural support services delivery.
  • Assist Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and livestock (DAIL) and District Agriculture Offices (DAOs) on agriculture related activities.
  • Ensure timely preparation and submission of required technical and other reports and success stories as outlined in the program
  • Assist the senior management of General Directorate of Extension and Agriculture Development and other team members with the management, oversight, coordination and monitoring of all the SNaPP2 operations in the field
  • Be able to travel frequently to the project sites in districts where SNaPP2is implemented.
  • Maintain close working relationship with provincial directorate of MRRD, MCN, MoWA and faculty of agriculture of provincial universities.
  • Other relevant activities assigned by supervisor/ project from time to time

Qualifications:

  • Minimum Master Degree in agriculture preferably Extension, Agronomy orHorticulture.
  • At least5 years of relevant work experience.
  • Working knowledge of the sector and experience in project management
  • Excellent report and success stories writing skills.
  • Must be fluent in Pashto, Dari and English.
  • Strong team orientation and staff development skills;
  • Performance management and improvement skills;
  • Good written and oral communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills.

Submission Guidelines:

The interested candidates should submit their resume alone with a covering letter as follow conditions:

  • Please send your CV along with a cover letter
  • Subject line must be: (Provincial Extension Advisor/ Coordinator-0606/MAIL/SNaPP) otherwise your application will NOT be considered.
  • Candidate’s educational degree must be attested with Ministry of Higher Education - Afghanistan otherwise we will not accept the application in short listing process.
  • Please note that application received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only short listed candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for interview.

By email or Hard to the following address:

SNaPP2/MAIL

Jamal Mena, Karti – Sakhi

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock,

Support to National Priority Program 2

Email Address: