Plant Protection and Production Assistant (Horticulture)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees. In Afghanistan, FAO is actively involved in enhancing agricultural resilience across all 34 provinces, focusing on protecting livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods, and safeguarding agricultural development gains achieved over the past decades. The organization aims to provide a combination of humanitarian assistance and basic needs support to farmers and herders, aligning its efforts with the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan for 2023-2027.

Job Overview:
The Plant Protection and Production Assistant (Horticulture) will play a crucial role in supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of horticulture-related activities across various FAO projects. This position emphasizes the establishment of vegetable seeds and orchards, ensuring sapling quality control, and designing trellis systems. The incumbent will work closely with provincial teams and beneficiaries to enhance horticultural practices, contributing to improved food security and sustainable agricultural development. The role requires a proactive approach to providing technical guidance and operational support, ensuring that all activities align with FAO standards and best practices in horticulture. The assistant will also be responsible for developing training materials and delivering training sessions to enhance the skills of local farmers and stakeholders in horticulture management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Plant Protection and Production Assistant (Horticulture) include providing technical information and guidance on climate-smart horticulture practices, supporting the establishment and management of orchards, ensuring quality control of saplings, drafting technical specifications for procurement, assisting in the design and supervision of trellis systems, developing training packages, producing technical manuals, and contributing to project reports and publications. The assistant will also support community interest groups (CIGs) in market approaches for horticulture and perform any other tasks as required by the supervisor. This role demands a comprehensive understanding of horticulture practices and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or a related field, with a minimum of four years of field experience in implementing horticulture or agricultural programs. At least two years of experience working with the United Nations or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in horticulture or agriculture is desirable. A working knowledge of English and local languages (Pashto and/or Dari) at level C is required. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or a closely related field. Candidates must have their qualifications recognized by an institution accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). This ensures that the educational qualifications meet international standards and are acknowledged by FAO during the recruitment process.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant field experience in horticulture or agricultural programs, with at least two years of experience in a UN or INGO context. Candidates should have experience working in emergency conditions and organizing stakeholder meetings or workshops. Experience in horticulture training, orchard establishment, and understanding climatic challenges affecting horticulture practices is highly preferred.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English and local languages, specifically Pashto and/or Dari. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and training delivery in the local context.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should be aware that appointment is subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website. The position may involve full-time engagement, and candidates are encouraged to apply if they meet the specified qualifications.