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 Technical Specialist – Engineering (Solar Fruit Dryer Project) will be responsible for the design, installation, testing, and technical supervision of solar-powered fruit drying systems to support community livelihood and value-addition activities. The specialist will ensure that all solar dryer units are engineered for optimal performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability under local climatic conditions. The role involves close collaboration with horticulturists, livelihood officers, and community groups—particularly women-led producer groups—to promote post-harvest processing, food preservation, and income generation through renewable energy technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Design and Engineering:

• Design and develop solar fruit dryer prototypes and systems suitable for local climatic and agricultural conditions.
• Prepare detailed engineering drawings, technical specifications, and bills of quantity (BoQs) for solar drying units.
• Conduct technical assessments, site surveys, and feasibility studies to identify optimal locations for installation.
• Ensure dryers are designed for maximum energy efficiency, food safety, and durability using locally available materials.
• Integrate appropriate technologies such as temperature control, airflow optimization, and solar panel calibration.

2. Installation, Operation, and Maintenance:

• Lead and supervise the installation and commissioning of solar fruit dryers in target communities.
• Train local technicians, farmers, and women’s groups on operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Establish and oversee maintenance schedules to ensure long-term system functionality.
• Ensure all systems meet quality assurance and safety standards during construction and operation.

3. Technical Support and Capacity Building:

• Conduct technical training sessions and workshops for community beneficiaries, local engineers, and staff.
• Develop technical manuals, user guides, and maintenance checklists in local languages.
• Support horticultural and livelihood teams in integrating solar dryers into the broader agricultural value chain.
• Promote community-level understanding of renewable energy use, sustainability, and food safety.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Regularly monitor system performance, energy output, and drying efficiency.
• Record and analyze technical data on energy utilization, drying time, and product quality.
• Prepare technical reports, field assessments, and recommendations for system improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in solar technology design, renewable energy systems, or agricultural processing equipment.
• Proven experience in solar drying systems, solar-powered food processing, or small-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of thermal design principles, solar radiation data, and energy efficiency optimization.
• Experience working in rural development, community projects, or humanitarian settings preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to prepare and interpret engineering designs, technical drawings, and reports.
• Fluency in [local languages] and good command of English.

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