Value Chain & Agriculture Assistant (Value Chain & Agriculture Assistant)

The Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization (ASIO) is a non-governmental and non-profit organization established in 2010. Registered with the Ministry of Economy under registration number 1579, ASIO operates as a domestic NGO. Committed to compliance with Afghanistan’s government laws, rules, and regulations, ASIO also adheres to donor guidelines and regulations.

ASIO considers itself accountable to the government of Afghanistan, partnering agencies, and the communities it serves. Our mission is to provide developmental and humanitarian services to those in need, regardless of their race, political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, or any other dependency.

Our Objectives:

Creating a Productive Work Environment: ASIO aims to foster a highly productive work environment and professional relations. We encourage open and honest communication among our employees.
Employee Growth and Capacity Building: We provide opportunities for growth through in-house trainings, workshops, and exposure to other agencies and organizations. By enriching their capacity and skills, our employees actively contribute to the development of education systems, agricultural productivity, livestock production, vocational training, and construction projects.
Standard Quality Services: ASIO is dedicated to improving the livelihoods of the needy people in our country. We strive to provide standard quality services that positively impact their lives.
Gender-Inclusive Policies: ASIO has established a set of policies to guide employees in creating a suitable work environment for all genders.

Areas of Expertise: ASIO is renowned for its expertise in implementing livelihood programs, agricultural development, animal husbandry healthcare, skill improvement training for internally displaced persons (IDPs), education projects, and construction initiatives. Our team of experts plays a crucial role in achieving our organizational goals.

Join ASIO and be part of a dynamic team committed to make a difference in the lives of Afghan communities.

Job Summary:
The purpose of this position is to support the effective implementation of agriculture and value chain activities by providing technical assistance to farmers and producer groups, facilitating market linkages, conducting trainings, monitoring project activities, and ensuring timely reporting and coordination with stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to farmers on improved agricultural practices.
• Promote climate-smart agriculture, sustainable farming techniques, and good agricultural practices.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor crop production and farming activities.
• Support establishment and monitoring of demonstration plots and farmer field schools.
• Assist beneficiaries in adopting new agricultural technologies and techniques.
• Support value chain assessments and market analyses.
• Identify key actors, opportunities, and constraints within agricultural value chains.
• Facilitate linkages among producers, traders, processors, input suppliers, and buyers.
• Promote value addition, post-harvest management, and processing activities.
• Assist in strengthening producer groups and agriculture-based enterprises.
• Organize and facilitate training sessions for farmers, cooperatives, and producer groups.
• Deliver awareness sessions on crop production, livestock management, agribusiness, and marketing.
• Support the development of training materials and agricultural extension tools.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring to beneficiaries.
• Participate in beneficiary selection and verification processes.
• Register eligible beneficiaries according to project criteria.
• Maintain updated beneficiary records and databases.
• Assist in organizing and documenting beneficiary distributions.
• Assist in the distribution of tools, equipment, and other agricultural inputs.
• Verify receipt and proper utilization of distributed inputs.
• Monitor effectiveness and impact of provided agricultural support.
• Ensure transparent and accountable distribution processes.
• Facilitate connections between farmers and local markets.
• Support producer groups in developing business and marketing plans.
• Assist beneficiaries in identifying income-generating opportunities.
• Promote entrepreneurship and agribusiness development.
• Support access to financial services and business development opportunities.
• Collect and compile field-level project data.
• Monitor project activities and progress against targets.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, and activity documentation.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, challenges, and best practices.
• Support assessments, surveys, and monitoring visits.
• Coordinate with local authorities, community leaders, agriculture departments, and partner organizations.
• Participate in project meetings, assessments, and coordination forums.
• Represent the project during community-level activities when assigned.
• Maintain positive relationships with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Ensure the participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in project activities.
• Promote equal access to agricultural resources, training, and market opportunities.
• Adhere to safeguarding, PSEA, and protection principles.
• Report safeguarding concerns through established organizational mechanisms.

Education
• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Horticulture, Agronomy, Rural Development, or a related field.
Experience
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in agriculture, livelihoods, food security, value chain development, or rural development projects.
• Experience working with NGOs, UN agencies, or development organizations is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in farmer training, agricultural extension services, and community mobilization.
• Previous experience in market linkage facilitation and agribusiness development is an asset