About Afghan Development Foundation (ADF):

The Afghan Development Foundation (ADF) is a non-governmental, non-political organization founded in 1996 and run entirely by Afghans. The organization is registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan. ADF is run by a group of considerate people who intend to rebuild, bring livelihood resilience, facilitate education for children, and ensure food security for the communities and the population greatly affected by conflicts. Due to war damages and the high number of domestic destructions, which have had close and direct effects on the livelihoods of people, children's education, and the development gap, ADF has concentrated its activities in various vital sectors for human welfare and is taking an active part in the developmental sector of Afghanistan.

The Afghan Development Foundation (ADF) boasts a rich history of project implementation across all regions of Afghanistan, both on-site and off-site. ADF has successfully navigated numerous projects in rural and remote areas in various sectors, for instance, women empowerment, livelihood interventions, essential humanitarian services, construction and reconstruction, social cohesions, climate change, and national disaster management and educational activities, demonstrating its ability to manage challenging local and national situations. With over two decades of experience in Afghanistan, ADF's personnel have honed their skills in overcoming local and national barriers, ensuring the best possible outcomes. The organization's commitment to integrity and transparency is unwavering, tying its activities directly to its mission and maintaining and reporting its records and deliveries with utmost transparency.

The Horticulturist will be responsible for planning, implementing, and managing horticultural activities, including the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as promoting post-harvest technologies such as solar fruit dryers to enhance value addition and reduce food waste. The position requires strong technical expertise in plant science, soil management, irrigation, pest control, and post-harvest handling. The Horticulturist will work closely with community members, particularly women, to strengthen local livelihoods through sustainable horticulture and food processing initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical and Field Implementation:

• Design, plan, and oversee horticultural projects such as kitchen gardens, orchards, nurseries, and greenhouse cultivation.
• Conduct soil and climate assessments to determine suitable crops for local conditions.
• Develop and implement planting schedules, crop rotation systems, and irrigation plans.
• Monitor crop growth, pest and disease management, and ensure the appropriate and safe use of fertilizers and organic inputs.
• Supervise and train local farmers and community members in modern, climate-smart, and sustainable horticultural practices.

2. Solar Fruit Dryer and Post-Harvest Management:

• Introduce, install, and manage solar fruit drying systems to preserve fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
• Train community members—particularly women’s groups—in the operation, maintenance, and management of solar dryers.
• Provide technical guidance on post-harvest handling, cleaning, slicing, drying, and packaging of fruits and vegetables.
• Develop quality control standards and train beneficiaries on hygiene and food safety during the drying process.
• Promote value addition and small-scale agribusiness opportunities through the processing and marketing of dried fruit products.
• Monitor and document outcomes related to reduced post-harvest losses and increased income through solar drying initiatives.

3. Capacity Building and Training:

• Organize training sessions, field demonstrations, and farmer field schools on horticulture, irrigation, and post-harvest processing.
• Prepare and distribute practical manuals and technical materials in local languages.
• Encourage gender-inclusive participation, particularly empowering women in horticultural production and solar drying enterprises.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Collect field data on crop yields, production levels, and solar drying outputs.
• Prepare regular reports, field visit summaries, and technical assessments for project management.
• Support impact assessments and documentation of horticultural and solar drying initiatives.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in horticulture, post-harvest management, or agricultural development.

• Practical experience with solar fruit drying technologies and value addition in agriculture.

• Strong technical knowledge of local crops, irrigation systems, and pest/disease management

Language:

• Fluency in Pashto and Dari is required.
• Working in oral and written English is required.

The interested candidates should submit their up-to-date CV and cover letter in soft to the below email address:

Please note, when you applying via email please put the vacancy number, title of position in your email subject line