Plant Production and Protection Assistant (FFS)

Organizational Context

FAO Afghanistan is implementing resilience-building initiatives across all 34 provinces. These actions focus on protecting agricultural livelihoods and ecosystems, enhancing local food and income generation, and preserving development gains through rural market revitalization. FAO provides humanitarian and essential assistance to farmers and herders in agriculture, livestock, irrigation, and natural resources, aligning with the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan.

Job Purpose

The Plant Production and Protection Assistant will provide crucial support in key agricultural areas including beekeeping, locust and Sunn pest management, and general plant production and protection. A significant part of the role involves developing and producing documentation specifically for Farmer Field Schools (FFS). This position is vital for enhancing agricultural practices and knowledge dissemination within Afghanistan, contributing to food security and sustainable livelihoods.

Responsibilities

The role involves supporting the identification and implementation of Locust and Sunn Pest control projects, including preparing technical specifications for procurement. The assistant will develop presentations, brochures, and visual materials for community awareness on Desert Locust Control and coordinate assessments in infested provinces. Responsibilities include developing reporting templates for locust movement data and work plans for greenhouse implementation. The position requires implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through Farmer Field Schools (FFS), monitoring FFS progress, and supporting facilitators to improve quality. The assistant will also identify agricultural inputs, guide beekeeping and mushroom production, monitor their effectiveness, and establish market linkages. Training delivery and monitoring of nursery and greenhouse operations, including water management and pest control, are also key duties.

Work Experience

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or a related field, coupled with a minimum of four years of field experience in pest control (locust, Sunn pest) and agricultural program implementation. A minimum of two years of experience working with UN or INGOs in Horticulture or Agriculture is desirable. Proficiency in English and local languages (Pashto/Dari) is essential.

Skills

Key skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Experience with UN or international organizations in agriculture is preferred, as is the ability to work independently. Excellent organization and coordination skills are required, along with strong experience in locust and Sunn pest control. The ability to write clearly and conduct training in local languages is highly preferred. Experience in emergency conditions, organizing stakeholder meetings, and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) are beneficial. Specific experience in beekeeping, mushroom production, FFS documentation, market linkage establishment, and greenhouse management is also valuable.

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