Agronomist

Hand in Hand Afghanistan Organization (HIHAO) is a not-for-profit organization based in Afghanistan. It started operations in 2007. HIHAO is part of the international Hand in Hand (HiH) network of independent organizations, working together towards a shared vision to alleviate poverty through job creation. The overall Hand in Hand mission is to promote the economic and social empowerment of women, by supporting the creation of sustainable enterprises, improved livelihoods and jobs.

HIHAO has implemented projects funded by DFID, European Union, CAFOD, UN WFP, GIZ, USAID, WB, DANIDA, SIDA, Hilti foundation, UN FAO, UN OCHA, UN Women, and Hand in Hand International through its main office in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh, regional and provincial offices across Afghanistan.

Hand in Hand Afghanistan is implementing the project of building resilient community for sustainable development in Rural Afghanistan in Balkh province which is by funded by SIDA and SDC. The project aims strengthen the resilience of rural communities to economic, climatic and conflict-related shocks.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close coordination with the Capacity Development Manager, the agronomist is responsible to conduct technical assessments and identify potential agribusinesses in the project target areas, prepare required technical reports, prepare, review and revise all the agriculture related training manuals and curriculums. Additionally, he is responsible for conducting the agriculture related training packages for the project staff and project beneficiaries and providing any other technical support to the project team. The agronomist will perform the following duties with transparency and integrity, and in adherence to the policies as provided by the HIHAO.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out technical assessments in the project target areas to identify new agribusinesses or recommend the best existence agribusinesses in the areas for project target groups.
• Conduct agribusinesses value chains analysis identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, actors, actions and areas for improvement at each and every stage of the value chain process.
•  that improve a product while linking commodity producers to processors and markets.
• Coordinate the agriculture related activities of the project with the representatives of sectoral department both at the provincial level and district level.
• Prepare training manual and curriculum for project team as well as training handouts for the project beneficiaries on climate-friendly crop production.
• Prepare any new agricultural manuals and curriculums as well as review all the existing agricultural related manuals of the organization to bring required changes, standardization and align them with the requirement of MAIL.
• Conduct trainings for project team and project beneficiaries in climate-friendly crop production and other required agricultural training packages based on plan and proposal of the project.
• Prepare guidelines, conduct necessary orientations and provide technical support to the project team and project beneficiaries for establishment of home-based kitchen gardens.
• Facilitate necessary orientation and provide technical support to the project team and project beneficiaries on climate adaptation of traditional livelihoods practices and techniques.
• Provide necessary support to the project team to mobilize farmers and groups to form marketing associations and organize marketing events.
• Assist Capacity Development Manager in preparing Village Economic Social Associations (VESAs) and conflict mitigation and resource management training manuals and curriculums.
• Support project team the start-up and enhancement of new and existing Village Economic and Social Associations (VESAs), Conduct VESA’s livelihoods planning discussion as well as conduct VESA’s seasonal risk management discussions.
• Provide technical support to the project team on strengthening existing conflict mitigation mechanisms and facilitate training for existing informal conflict management systems and resource management structures.
• Assist the Village Enterprise Facilitators (VEFs) to prepare a business plan for each project target group based on the type of microenterprise they proposed.
• Carry out regular market assessments and assist the Project Manager in designing the agricultural enterprise start up kits.
• Check the quality and quantity of all the agribusiness start-up kits and ensure that the quality and quantity match the specifications.
• Assis project team in distribution of enterprise start-u kits to the project beneficiaries.
• Perform any other duties as required.

• A university degree (Bachelor) from agriculture faculty is MUST.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in agriculture area as agronomist/agriculture specialist/similar positions with INGOs and NOGs is required.
• Working knowledge level of English (level C) and the local languages (Dari, Pashto and/or Uzbeki).
• Be able to do agricultural research, analyzes, assessments and prepare narrative and statistic reports of his research, analysis and assessments.
• Be aware of the latest policies, strategies, standards and curriculums of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock.
• Have the creative ability to identify different varieties of agricultural products and propose the best and most profitable agribusinesses for the project target groups.
• Have the interpersonal skills to make strong coordination and communication with the representatives of sectoral department both in provincial and district level.  
• The incumbent must have the ability to build effective working relationships with national and international colleagues, with different cultural and technical backgrounds.
• Proven ability to plan, work and deliver agreed deadlines.

Interested applicants should submit their application comprised of a one-page cover letter explaining their interest and suitability for the position along with an updated CV.

The application should send via email to: jobs@handinhand.org.af and copy to projectmanager.mazar@handinhand.org.af 

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates whose application meets the above criteria will be contacted for an interview.

Note: Please clearly indicate the vacancy announcement number Job title and location in the subject line of your email (Agronomist-HIHAO/24/24-Mazar).