Extension worker (Livestock). (Re Announced)

Shelter for Life International (SFL) is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit and international faith-based organization. It has been working in Afghanistan since 1998 and is presently managing long-term and short-term humanitarian and development programs to the people in need in countries around the world. SFL is currently operational in Afghanistan, Liberia, South Sudan, Senegal and Tajikistan. Our Headquarters is located in Minnetonka, MN and funded by multiple donors such as BPRM, USG, USDA WFP and FAO. SFL has rich experience and provides assistance in the following areas; Agriculture Development, Food Security, livelihood and emergency, Shelter and Population Settlement, Application of Microcredit, Infrastructure Development and Health and Nutrition.

Shelter for Life (SFL), in partnership with FAO, is implementing, the “Strengthening Access to Essential Food Security and Health Services (Support for Afghan People)” Project (OSRO/AFG/155/ASB) aim to strengthen food security and resilience among vulnerable households in Takhar and Badakhshan Province. These projects respond to acute food insecurity caused by prolonged drought, economic instability, and limited agricultural productivity. By providing immediate food assistance, agricultural inputs, and capacity-building support, the projects seek to enhance livelihoods, improve nutrition, and reduce the vulnerability of smallholder farmers and at-risk communities, thereby contributing to overall stability and resilience in the provinces.

The Livestock Extension Worker will play a key technical role in implementing the “Strengthening Access to Essential Food Security and Health Services (Support for Afghan People)” Project (OSRO/AFG/155/ASB) in Takhar and Badakhshan Provinces. The position will provide field-based livestock extension support to beneficiary households, ensuring the proper utilization of FAO-supported livestock inputs, including animal feeding package, small and large ruminants, and related animal husbandry inputs.

The Livestock Extension Worker will regularly visit beneficiary households to provide practical guidance on improved livestock production, animal health, feeding, housing, and management practices, with a strong focus on climate-smart and resilient livestock systems. The role includes conducting simple trainings, field demonstrations, and Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to strengthen farmers’ technical knowledge and skills, particularly among women and vulnerable households.

Through close coordination with the Project Agronomist, FAO technical staff, veterinarians, and local agriculture and livestock authorities (DAIL), the Extension Worker will support effective input utilization, improve livestock productivity, enhance household nutrition and income, and build resilience among vulnerable communities.

Shelter for Life implements safe and PSEA-sensitive human resources practices
and processes throughout recruitment, contracting, and performance management to ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and beneficiaries.

Shelter for Life has zero-tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).

1. Support beneficiary households in improved livestock production using FAO-recommended animal husbandry and management practices.
2. Provide technical guidance on livestock housing, hygiene, and biosecurity measures to reduce disease risks.
3. Advise farmers on animal feeding and nutrition, including ration formulation, fodder production, feed conservation (hay and silage), and efficient feed use.
4. Promote climate-smart livestock practices, including improved manure management, water-efficient livestock systems, and resilience to climate-related shocks.
5. Conduct practical trainings, Livestock Farmer Field Schools (LFFS), and field demonstrations on livestock management, animal health, and productivity improvement.
6. Support beneficiaries in animal health management, including vaccination schedules, deworming, parasite control, and early disease detection.
7. Facilitate coordination with local veterinarians and DAIL livestock departments for disease reporting, vaccination campaigns, and technical backstopping.
8. Ensure the correct and timely use of FAO-distributed livestock inputs, including dairy kits, poultry, small ruminants, feed, and veterinary supplies.
9. Conduct regular field visits to monitor livestock health, productivity, survival rates, and management practices at household level.
10.   Promote milk hygiene, safe handling, and basic processing, while encouraging women’s participation and providing targeted support to women-headed and vulnerable households.
11. Train and support lead farmers and community mobilizers to strengthen community-based livestock extension and knowledge sharing.
12.  Conduct regular monitoring and collect field data on livestock inputs, animal health, production performance, mortality, and adoption of improved practices.
13.  Prepare simple field and technical reports, including training records, monitoring checklists, progress updates, and documentation of lessons learned and success stories.
14.   Ensure full compliance with FAO environmental, safeguarding, gender, and PSEA policies, and perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Agronomist and supervisors

Qualification/ Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.
• Minimum 6 Years of General Experience with NGOs, INGOs or UN agencies.
• Minimum 4 years relevant work experience in the field of Livestock with NGOs, INGOs or UN agencies.
• Computer skills at the operator level, especially with MS Office packages.
• Fluency in English and Dari and/or Pashto, both written and spoken.
• Ability or experience in the field of community driven development projects monitoring
• High attention to detail, effective time management skills, strong work ethic, a willingness to learn new skills, and the ability to be a self-starter.   
• Experience in planning and daily reporting  
• Good communication skill and able to pass the massage/questions in local languages to the respondents.
• Have good interpersonal skills and ability to plan work.
•  team worker, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Regional and cultural knowledge of areas of SFL field operations in Afghanistan
• Willingness to work long hours when required
• Ability and willingness to travel to the project sites and outside of duty station within Afghanistan and adjust to the SFL environment as frequently as required
• Honest, proactive, well mannered, and must share values of SFL.
• Willing to stay in field locations
• Ready to work, live and travel in an intricate and strenuous environment
• Local candidates will be preferred.
• To be an Afghan citizen.

Interested qualified candidates should submit a full CV with a cover letter explaining their motivation in applying for the job and highlighting their relevant skills and experience, and submit their application to the link: https://sflinternational.careers-page.com/ 

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for a written test and/or interview.

Applications received after the announcement closing date or applications in hard copy will not be accepted.

The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background & Reference check and be compliant and sign up to Shelter for Life’s Code of Conduct, PSEA (Prevention from Sexual exploitation and abuse), and other SFL’s policies prior to a final offer being made