CARE is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit, non-partisan, and non-sectarian humanitarian organization, that extends 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.

• Summary of Key Functions
• The Extension Worker will be responsible at the field level for working closely with project beneficiaries of the CARE/ RFS Project in Herat. He/she is responsible for conducting assessments, data collection, and working with farmers and communities on the already-designed activities.  He/ She will report to the agronomist and field supervisor /deputy project manager and work closely with other project staff in the professional and efficient implementation of field activities, with a main focus on RFS activities.

• Key relations:

Livelihood officers/Agronomists, project field supervisor, deputy project manager.

Duty Locations:

Herat Province (Zanda Jan, Ghoryan and Koshke Robat Sangi Districts)

     Key Results Expected:

Extension Worker is expected to work directly with project target groups to improve their income, products, and profitability. This will happen through learning updated by technical capacity, the introduction of new methods of cultivation for wheat, legumes, and other value chain intervention options. He/ she ensures that all project field activities have been implemented on the ground efficiently and by the project budget, work plan, and technical standards. Overall results expected include but are not limited to:

• To maintain close cooperation with the targeted local communities and to be able to mobilize them in taking an active part in delivering services.
• To provide technical training on crop production and agro-technical aspects based on the project implementation plan.
• Project field monitoring regularly with the provision of technical advice to beneficiaries.
• Being familiar with the project targeted areas context and ability to involve women farmers in the project activities including FFS, Kitchen garden, and food processing.
• Establishing active linkage between women farmers involved in the food processing centers.
• Solving project technical conflicts in the field and reporting them to the supervisor.
• Exchange experience and lessons learned among the field staff and beneficiaries.
• Actively participate in baseline and end-line assessment and identification of beneficiaries and enter data into specific spreadsheets.
• Ensures liaison with targeted communities, maintains links with cooperatives/associations, FFS members, CDCs, and elders, and engages consistently with beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders in the field.
• Support/ facilitate the process for CARE operation staff provision, distribution, and monitoring of goods, services, etc. in the project areas and for beneficiaries.
• Provide reporting inputs for project activities results, success stories, and other quantitative and qualitative outcomes, required by the M&R officer.
• Work closely with other extension workers to seek synergies and ensure holistic project implementation and act as back-up of other workers in his/her absence.
• Manage, monitor, and advise targeted beneficiaries on the wheat value chain, legume cultivation, kitchen gardening, and food processing.
• Support the beneficiaries to learn the basic principles of humanitarian work, human rights, protection, and the needs of smallholder farmers.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

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.

Core Competencies:

Effective coordination skills with farmers, and excellent analytical skills for suitable interventions in the wheat value chain, food diversification, and vegetable cultivation in the target areas. Effective communication, interpersonal, and reporting skills. Good planning and delivering the best results. Teamwork, trust building, and empowering skills. Ability to present ideas effectively. Able to facilitate change and demonstrate innovation. Good at problem analysis. Ability to Negotiate and convince others to learn new methods; Ability to promote gender equality. Skill in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently; self-starter, can work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience is required in the implementation of agricultural projects, and value chain interventions in local or international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical support on agricultural, post-harvest, food processing, and women’s economic empowerment.
• Demonstrated technical training skills in wheat, legumes, and vegetables.
• Experience in a non-governmental organization or the United Nations (desirable);

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, (Female applicants who graduated from high school, agriculture institute with agriculture background for Ghoryan, Zanda Jan, and Koshke Robat Sangi districts are highly encouraged to apply).

 Work Experience: At least 2 years of work experience in an agriculture program/project with a sustained interest in the value chain.

Languages Skills: Fluency in written and spoken is preferred in Dari and Pushto languages

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 of vulnerable adults and children, involving CARE Employees and Related Personnel. CARE has 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 the 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 applying, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

• Applications after the closing date (midnight) and without a CARE Application form will not be accepted.
• Please Indicate the position title and vacancy Number in the Subject Line (Extension Worker CARE-AF-0776 Herat) otherwise your application will not be considered.
• Please note that there is no telephonic inquiry and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and called for an Interview.
• The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background Check, Bridger checks, and reference check and be compliant and sign up for Care Afghanistan’s Code of Conduct, PSHA (Prevention from Sexual Harassment, exploitation and Abuse), and other Care Afghanistan policies before a final offer being made.
• People with Physical Disabilities and Women are highly encouraged 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)