Food Processing & Confectionary Specialist

Green Social Research Organization (GSRO) is a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan under registration number 3612. Based in Herat Province, GSRO has been at the forefront of driving positive change since 2015, primarily focusing on climate change initiatives, agriculture, and livelihood projects across Herat and Farah provinces, with programming that also extends to protection, psychosocial support, and gender-based violence prevention and response.

GSRO's work is guided by six core values: Gender Equality and Equity, Accountability and Transparency, Gender Mainstreaming, Respect to Tradition and Customs, No Discrimination and No Harm, and Commitment and Integrity. Through its diverse portfolio of protection, livelihood, and resilience-building projects, GSRO works to make a lasting, dignified impact on the communities it serves, with particular attention to the needs of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups affected by displacement, recurring economic shocks, and restrictive social conditions

Job Description – Confectionery Trainer (Female)

The Confectionery Trainer (Female) will be responsible for planning, organizing, and delivering practical confectionery production and livelihood training to women beneficiaries under GSRO's livelihood project in Herat Province. The position aims to strengthen women's technical skills, financial literacy, and income-generating opportunities through the establishment and development of group-based confectionery enterprises.

The trainer will work closely with women's production groups, project staff, and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective training delivery, quality production, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plan, organize, and deliver practical confectionery training on cakes, biscuits, sweets, production techniques, food safety, hygiene, quality control, packaging, and storage.
2. Provide basic financial literacy training, including budgeting, production costing, pricing, profit calculation, and bookkeeping.
3. Support the establishment and development of women-led confectionery enterprises, including group formation, shared production planning, group management, and market linkages.
4. Conduct market assessments to identify high-demand confectionery products, assess market opportunities, and determine viable products for women's group enterprises.
5. Coordinate with the Procurement Officer to facilitate the distribution, proper use, and management of confectionery toolkits, equipment, and production materials.
6. Facilitate or co-facilitate Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) sessions for confectionery beneficiaries in coordination with GSRO field staff.
7. Conduct regular follow-up visits to monitor beneficiaries' progress, production activities, product quality, group functioning, and income generation.
8. Maintain accurate training attendance records, beneficiary documentation, distribution lists, activity reports, and relevant inputs for GSRO's Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system.
9. Coordinate closely with the Project Manager, project team, and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and effective implementation of training and livelihood activities.
10. Complete mandatory induction training and ensure compliance with GSRO policies and procedures, including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, and the Code of Conduct.
11. Coordinate Mahram arrangements for fieldwork and travel in accordance with GSRO's Mahram Guideline.
12. Perform other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Project Manager.

Job Requirements – Confectionery Trainer (Female)

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Food Science, Vocational Education, Agriculture, or a related field.

Work Experience:

1. Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in confectionery production, bakery, vocational training, or livelihood projects.
2. Proven experience in delivering practical training on cakes, biscuits, sweets, and other confectionery products.
3. Previous experience working with women beneficiaries, community-based livelihood groups, or income-generating activities is highly desirable.
4. Experience in small business development, financial literacy training, or VSLA activities is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

1. Strong practical knowledge of confectionery production techniques, food safety, hygiene, packaging, and quality control.
2. Ability to develop and deliver practical, participatory, and easy-to-understand training sessions.
3. Basic knowledge of budgeting, production costing, pricing, profit calculation, and bookkeeping.
4. Understanding of local markets and small-scale confectionery business opportunities.
5. Good communication, facilitation, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
6. Ability to work effectively with women beneficiaries, including participants with limited literacy.
7. Ability to maintain accurate training records, beneficiary documentation, and activity reports.
8. Basic computer skills, particularly MS Word and Excel, are an advantage.
9. Commitment to safeguarding, PSEA, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
   

   Language Requirements:

   1. Fluency in Dari (spoken and written) is required.
   2. Knowledge of Pashto is an advantage.
   3. Basic English proficiency is an asset.
      

      Other Requirements:

      1. Female candidates only, due to the nature of the project and direct engagement with women beneficiaries.
      2. Familiarity with the local context, culture, and market conditions of Herat Province.
      3. Willingness and ability to travel to project implementation areas in accordance with GSRO's Mahram Guideline.
      4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with project staff and community groups.