CARE is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian humanitarian organization, extending its relief and development assistance to those in need. CARE, as an International Confederation of 13 member organizations is one of the world's largest private humanitarian organizations working in more than 90 plus, countries committed to helping communities in the developing world achieve lasting victories over poverty.

1. Summary of Key Functions

Agribusiness Specialist oversees overall project linkage with local, regional and international market. S/he will be responsible for creating agricultural value chains and working with lead farmers and business houses on increasing the marketability of local products and crops also will ensure increased Agriculture Productivity and will be responsible for all activities related to the strengthening and expansion of agribusiness activities in the key value chains.

2. Key relations:        

• Internal: Provincial Manager, Project Manager, project staff and other support staff
• External:  Government relevant departments, projects stakeholders, district authorities, target communities and other key organizations working in same targeted areas. Private Sectors,

3. Duty Locations:

• Balkh province with frequent travels to districts and villages in the province

4. Key Results Expected:

• Lead project development and strategic support in a wide variety of areas, including value chain development and upgrading strategies, improving access to agricultural inputs, agricultural extension, marketing, and peri-urban garden plot development.
• Oversee the efforts of agricultural programs in the key intervention’s areas, particularly focusing on value chain upgrading.
• Facilitate market driven linkages between agribusiness producers, wholesalers, processors, and markets within local and national market.
• Meet and liaise with relevant DFA staff, Provincial Agriculture Department, UN agencies, the private sector, other NGOs, and donors working in agriculture to ensure synergies are created and resources are leveraged.
• Conduct regular field visits to program sites located in the treatment communities, to provide hands-on technical assistance and monitoring of program activities and implementation.
• Conduct market assessments to determine the feasibility of proposed enterprises to support jobs and income generation in the urban and peri-urban areas and undertake continuous market scanning to identify emerging market opportunities to inform inclusive market-based program design.
• Promote the adoption of good agri-business practices that can be extended through various implementation platforms including the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approaches and how to effectively support beneficiaries engage in agri-business and marketing especially by women and youth.
• Propose an action plan and strategies/approaches for the implementation of the selected project interventions including the identification of partners in order to improve livelihoods, diversify diets and strengthen resilience to external shocks.
• Contribute to the design, content, delivery and supervision of the training packages for value chains actors Farmer Field School trainings and the training on Integrated Business Plan planned under the project.
• Provide technical leadership in the procurement process of the agri-business component of the program including definition of technical specifications for various program inputs and services and seek technical clearance from respective technical units.
• Collaborate with crop production component to transform Farmer Filed schools into Business Field Schools and transition them into rural micro enterprises.
• Provide support to processing and trade enterprises/cooperatives to the identified beneficiaries in the targeted area.
• Contribute to resource mobilization including development of project concept notes and proposals.
• Coordinate the delivery of assigned projects and ensure effective and efficient management for results and timely reporting.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Uphold CARE’s Safeguarding Policy (https://www.care-international.org/resources/care-international-safeguarding-policy) and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• Must read the Safeguarding Policy and either sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct or sign a Code of Conduct that is consistent with or references this policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

1. Competence:

Enthusiasm for the work, excellent analytical, team management, problem solving and reporting skills, monitoring and giving feedback, willingness to work in tough field conditions; willingness to travel as per the project requirements in every situation, a self-starter and a planner with professional communication and representation skills.

2. Core Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to resolve project priorities.
• Computer skills including, MS Office, e-mail and Internet applications.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meeting of deadlines.
• Good reporting skills including report compilation, analysis and presentation.
• Culture sensitive and respect for local norms
• Willingness to travel to field/ project sites on daily bases.
• Stress management
• Problem solving
• Result oriented.

3. Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated understanding of coordination systems including existing assessment and response approach in Afghanistan
• Demonstrated experience working closely with local communities.
• Demonstrated in depth understanding of the local context and ability to work with them to ensure access and safe implementation.

4. Education: 

 Masters degree in agribusiness, agriculture, economics, business administration (MBA)

5. Work Experience:

At least five years postgraduate (MSc, MBA) relevant experience related to both entrepreneurial development, small-scale enterprises development and agricultural commodities marketing with emphasis on rural development within smallholder production and marketing schemes.

6. Languages Skills:

Fluency in spoken and written Pashtu and/or Dari and English required.

Safeguarding

CARE places human dignity at the center of its relief and development work. At the heart of CARE’s efforts to impact poverty and social justice is its engagement with marginalized communities, and vulnerable adults and children. Vulnerable adults and children are particularly at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. CARE commits to the protection from sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse and of vulnerable adults and children, involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel. CARE has a zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. CARE takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse and child abuse involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel

CARE Afghanistan  participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we hereby request information from candidate’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. All CARE Afghanistan’s offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

• Please submit your completed CARE Standard Job application form (ACBAR: Application Form) to afg.vacancies@care.org.
• Applications after the closing date (12:00 AM) and without CARE Application form will not be accepted.
• Please Indicate the position title, Vacancy Number in the Subject Line (Agribusiness Specialist CARE-AF-0802 Balkh) otherwise your application will not be considered.
• Please note that there is no telephonic inquiry and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted with and call for Interview.
• The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background Check, Bridger check & Reference check and be compliant and sign up to Care Afghanistan’s Code of Conduct, PSHA (Prevention from Sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse) and other Care Afghanistan policies prior to a final offer being made.
• People with Physical Disabilities and Women are highly encourage to apply.
• CARE IS COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING POLICY (Available at: Safeguarding)
• CARE IS COMMITTED TO CODE OF CONDUCT (Available at: CARE Afg Code of Conduct (updated).pdf)