About Modern Agriculture Animal Husbandry Organization (MAAO):

Modern Agriculture and Animal husbandry Organization (MAAO) is a national, non-political, non-profit, non-governmental organization founded on the principles of human dignity, inclusion, and community empowerment. Registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan, MAAO is headquartered in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province, and is committed to applying relevant national requirements and international standards in its programs and operations.

MAAO works across multiple provinces of Afghanistan to promote sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities by improving agricultural and livestock productivity, supporting education and vocational skills, promoting rural development, strengthening community capacities, and contributing to stronger and more resilient civil society. The organization places particular emphasis on the inclusion and empowerment of women and other vulnerable and marginalized groups.

MAAO has expertise in agricultural training and extension, agricultural education and capacity development, livestock productivity, value chain development, vocational skills training, handicrafts, hygiene promotion, health and nutrition, maternal and child nutrition, and other related areas. Through these interventions, MAAO supports communities to strengthen their livelihoods, improve food security, enhance resilience, and increase access to sustainable economic opportunities.

In line with its commitment to supporting food-insecure and vulnerable communities affected by drought, malnutrition, displacement, and other shocks, MAAO prioritizes assistance to the most vulnerable and marginalized households. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBW), children under two years of age (CU2), persons with disabilities, women-headed and elderly-headed households, and other households identified through appropriate vulnerability and needs-based targeting mechanisms.

Position Summery

The Market Linkage Officer will support the effective implementation of market linkage and value chain activities under the First Food Initiative (FFI) Phase II project in Faryab Province. The position will facilitate sustainable backward and forward market linkages for SLO and SSVC beneficiaries by connecting participants with input suppliers, service providers, local markets, aggregators, bulk buyers, feed shops, and other relevant market actors.

The position will conduct market assessments, identify potential suppliers and buyers, facilitate product aggregation, support price negotiation, and provide market-oriented coaching to beneficiaries to improve access to inputs and markets and strengthen the profitability and sustainability of their livelihoods. The Market Linkage Officer will work closely with SLO Production Specialists, SSVC Trainers, Agronomists, and the Project Manager to ensure that beneficiaries can access appropriate inputs and services and identify viable markets for their products at competitive and fair prices.

The position will serve as the primary field-level focal point for market linkage and value chain activities, maintain relationships with relevant market actors, document market opportunities and transactions, and provide regular updates and recommendations to the Project Manager. The position reports directly to the Project Manager and coordinates closely with the relevant SLO and SSVC field teams.

Key Responsibilities

1.       Market Assessment and Value Chain Analysis

• Conduct market assessments and value chain analysis to identify market demand, potential buyers, input suppliers, price trends, market constraints, and opportunities for SLO and SSVC products.
• Map and maintain information on relevant market actors, including input suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, feed shops, aggregators, bulk buyers, and other potential business partners.
• Analyze seasonal market trends, price fluctuations, transport and access constraints, and opportunities for product diversification and value addition.
• Share market findings and recommendations with the Project Manager and relevant project teams to support project planning and implementation.

2.       Market Linkages and Buyer Engagement

• Establish and strengthen backward and forward market linkages for project beneficiaries.
• Facilitate beneficiary access to reliable input suppliers, service providers, and other relevant market actors.
• Identify and engage potential buyers, retailers, wholesalers, feed shops, aggregators, and other sales channels for beneficiary products.
• Facilitate communication and business linkages between beneficiaries and market actors and support beneficiaries in negotiating fair and competitive prices.
• Support collective marketing, product aggregation, and other appropriate approaches to strengthen beneficiaries' bargaining power and market access where feasible.

3.       Product Marketing and Sales Support

• Support beneficiaries in identifying suitable markets and sales channels for products developed through SLO and SSVC activities.
• Provide market-oriented guidance on product presentation, packaging, labeling, quality standards, pricing, and customer preferences.
• Support beneficiaries to improve product marketability and respond to local market demand.
• Facilitate appropriate buyer–seller linkages and support the development of sustainable local sales channels.

4.       Post-Training Coaching and Business Follow-up

• Conduct market linkage and business follow-up visits to support beneficiaries after completion of training and, where applicable, receipt of project-supported start-up assistance.
• Monitor the progress of beneficiary businesses and identify market-related challenges, opportunities, and required follow-up support.
• Support beneficiaries in connecting with suppliers and buyers and strengthening their access to local markets.
• Coordinate with relevant Production Specialists, Trainers, and technical staff to ensure beneficiaries receive appropriate technical or business support based on identified needs.
• Report key observations, progress, challenges, and recommendations using approved monitoring and reporting tools.

5.       Market Readiness and Capacity Building

• Deliver or support short market-readiness sessions for beneficiaries on basic pricing, negotiation, understanding market demand, product presentation, packaging, customer relations, and sales.
• Coordinate with SLO Production Specialists, SSVC Trainers, and other technical staff to integrate relevant market linkage and market-readiness content into project activities.
• Provide practical coaching to strengthen beneficiaries' understanding of market opportunities and their capacity to engage effectively with buyers and suppliers.

6.       Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation

• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and other required reports on market linkage activities, beneficiary progress, market opportunities, challenges, and achievements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of market assessments, market actors, beneficiary linkages, coaching visits, and other relevant activities.
• Document good practices, lessons learned, success stories, and recommendations for improving market linkage and value chain activities.
• Coordinate with the MEAL/M&E team to support the collection and verification of relevant market and beneficiary data.

7.       Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain effective coordination with district authorities, community representatives, local traders, businesses, input suppliers, buyers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Build and maintain constructive working relationships with market actors to expand opportunities for project beneficiaries.
• Coordinate closely with the Project Manager, SLO Production Specialists, SSVC Trainers, Agronomists, and other project staff to ensure market linkage activities complement technical and livelihood interventions.
• Participate in relevant project and stakeholder coordination meetings as required.

8.       Compliance, Accountability, Protection and Safeguarding

• Ensure market linkage activities are implemented in accordance with MAAO policies, project guidelines, donor requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Promote transparency, accountability to affected populations (AAP), community participation, and appropriate response or referral of beneficiary feedback and concerns.
• Apply Do No Harm, protection, safeguarding, PSEA, gender equality, and disability inclusion principles throughout all activities.
• Consider the specific needs and barriers faced by women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable beneficiaries in accessing markets and livelihood opportunities.
• Maintain confidentiality of beneficiary and project information and immediately report safeguarding concerns, suspected fraud, misconduct, security incidents, or other serious risks through established reporting mechanisms.
• Maintain integrity, impartiality, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries when engaging with beneficiaries, suppliers, buyers, and other market actors.

9.       Additional Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. The post holder may be assigned other relevant duties consistent with the nature of the position, level of skills and experience, project needs, and MAAO and donor requirements.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

·         Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Agribusiness, or another relevant field.

·         Minimum of 3–4 years of relevant experience in market linkage, value chain development, rural marketing, private sector engagement, livelihood, food security, or community-based resilience projects.

·         Demonstrated experience working with rural communities, producer groups, and local market actors.

·         Experience working with NGOs, UN agencies, or donor-funded projects is highly desirable.

·         Experience in facilitating market assessments, buyer-seller meetings, and product aggregation.

·         Experience working with women beneficiaries and women-led micro-enterprises is an advantage.

Knowledge and Skills

·         Strong understanding of market systems, value chains, and rural marketing approaches.

·         Familiarity with hydroponic vegetables, soap, and pastry value chains is an advantage.

·         Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

·         Strong planning, organizational, report writing, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

·         Experience preparing market assessments, sales reports, and narrative reports.

·         Good computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

·         Ability to work independently, manage multiple activities, and meet deadlines.

·         Willingness to travel frequently to remote project locations.

·         Fluency in Dari and Pashto is required; knowledge of Uzbeki is an advantage.

·         Very good English skills, including written and verbal communication and report-writing skills, is preferred; experience in usage of digital data collection platforms, i.e., MODA, KOBO, etc.

·         Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.

·         Integrity, accountability, and commitment to teamwork.

Language Skills

·         Fluency in Dari, Pashto, Uzbeki and English language skills (writing, speaking, reading and understanding).

PSEA, Safeguarding and Vetting

MAAO is committed to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, fraud, and other forms of misconduct. All staff are required to comply with MAAO’s PSEA, Safeguarding, Child Protection, Code of Conduct, Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption policies and maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals, we conduct a thorough vetting process for all candidates. This includes a specific inquiry into any past allegations, investigations, or disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct.

Selected candidates will be subject to appropriate reference checks and background/vetting procedures in accordance with MAAO policies and applicable requirements.

Interested and qualified candidates can submit their CVs along with a cover letter to the HR Department of MAAO through the link address: MAAO Job List

Please note, while sending your C.V & Cover letter, please mention the vacancy number and position in the subject line, application received after the closing date and without subject line will not be taken in consideration. Local applicants from the same province are encouraged to apply and will be given priority.

Due to huge number of applications, only those applicants who meet the minimum qualification and requirements for the mentioned position will be contacted for the written test and interview.