About Rupani Foundation, Afghanistan

Rupani Foundation, Afghanistan is an international, not-for-profit and non-governmental organization, committed to fostering sustainable development across the country. The Foundation focuses on skill development, disaster risk reduction (DRR), reforestation and agricultural development, early childhood development (ECD), and education.

Rupani Foundation (RF) has been working in Afghanistan since 2008 with a focus on building prosperous, inclusive, and resilient local communities, RF is dedicated to eradicating extreme poverty through strong partnerships with local communities, donors, and collaborators to promote sustainable social and economic development.

Job Description:

As part of efforts to enhance food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and create livelihood opportunities for youth and women, the Rupani Foundation, in partnership with UNWFP, is implementing a Mushroom Cultivation Training Program. This initiative aims to equip participants with practical knowledge and hands-on skills in low-cost, high-yield mushroom farming techniques suitable for local environments. The program encourages income generation, household nutrition improvement, and small-scale agribusiness development, particularly for vulnerable communities in urban and semi-urban settings.

General Responsibilities:

The Mushroom Cultivation Trainer will be responsible for planning, implementing, and facilitating technical and practical training sessions in mushroom cultivation for selected beneficiaries. The trainer will ensure high-quality capacity building, follow-up support, and documentation of training sessions. S/he will coordinate closely with project stakeholders and report to the line manager on progress, challenges, and achievements.

Specific Duties:

• Plan and conduct theoretical and practical training sessions on mushroom cultivation.
• Develop and adapt training materials, manuals, and guidelines tailored to local conditions and participant knowledge levels.
• Provide step-by-step guidance on mushroom farming techniques, including substrate preparation, sterilization, spawn inoculation, incubation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.
• Conduct regular follow-ups to support beneficiaries in the implementation of mushroom units.
• Monitor training progress and assess the understanding and skill acquisition of trainees.
• Coordinate training logistics and requirements in collaboration with the project team.
• Provide technical assistance and coaching during on-site visits.
• Identify challenges or gaps during training and implementation phases and report them to the line manager with proposed solutions.
• Ensure safety, hygiene, and environmental practices are adhered to throughout the training.
• Submit timely and detailed training reports, including attendance, photos, and evaluations.
• Participate in project planning, review, and coordination meetings at the field level.
• Maintain proper documentation of all training-related activities.
•  Perform any other task assigned by the line manager related to the project.

Job Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Botany, or a related field. Master degree or a short-term certified course in mushroom cultivation is a plus.
• Minimum 2 years of practical experience in mushroom farming and/or conducting agriculture-related trainings.

Other Skills

• Experience working with communities or local farmers is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of mushroom production cycle including substrate preparation, sterilization, spawn inoculation, incubation, harvesting, and storage.
• Ability to design and deliver practical, hands-on training sessions.
• Knowledge of pest and disease management in mushroom cultivation.
• Familiarity with low-cost/local-materials techniques for small-scale mushroom farming.
• Good facilitation and communication skills for both literate and low-literacy audiences.
• Ability to develop simple training tools/manuals.
• Comfortable working in rural settings and conducting field visits.
• Fluency in English, Dari and/or Pashto (written and spoken).
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to travel to different districts as required.
• Committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Rupani Foundation has a zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. RF takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse involving RF employees and related personnel. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.

Submission guidelines

If you have the expertise to take on this exciting opportunity, please apply online by sending your CV and motivation cover letter to to hr@rupanifoundationaf.org and copy to info@rupanifoundationaf.org up to 13/06/2025. Please clearly indicate the position's vacancy number AD07-25  in the subject of your email, otherwise, your application will not be considered.

Rupani Foundation Afghanistan welcomes applications from all sections of the community and promotes diversity.  Although all applications will be considered on their individual merit, suitably qualified women candidates are especially encouraged to apply.  Due to high volumes of applications received, we can only correspond with short-listed applicants. Should you not have received feedback on your application within four weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.