CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, and peacebuilding.

Background

CRS has been working on behalf of Afghan communities since 2002, with hundreds of experienced Afghan staff working in offices across the country. We provide emergency relief, inclusive education, improved agricultural techniques, and other life‐enriching services to tens of thousands of households. The country’s long conflict has left many families displaced and impoverished, but the war’s end in 2021 has opened the exciting possibility of reaching many previously inaccessible communities.

CRS is currently implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul, and is exploring additional expansion. CRS maintains four main offices in the country as well as several sub-offices that support the direct implementation of program activities. With over 100 staff, the Country Program is growing to meet new needs throughout the country.

CRS has invested significantly in improved livelihoods in Afghanistan, with a focus on supporting agricultural livelihoods as well as developing and alternative livelihoods. CRS provides livelihood recovery and development support to vulnerable and shock-affected groups in Afghanistan, integrating disaster risk reduction and climate resilience elements to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of improvements to livelihoods.

Project Summary:

CRS is implementing a 36-month EU-funded project in three districts (Injil, Gozara, and Koshk Robat Sangi districts) of Herat province to support households and communities to improve their livelihoods and resilience sustainably. The project focuses on community-led solutions that will improve watershed and disaster risk management (DRM), increase farmers' access to the markets, farmers capacity building, Agricultural inputs distribution, and saving loan groups. Through this project, 20 vulnerable communities in the Herat province will have strengthened resilience to crises and disasters such as droughts, flooding, food security, and market shocks and will enhance their economic stability.

As a Field Assistant of Livelihood, you will facilitate the achievement of project activities to advance CRS’s work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will coordinate and implement the field activities, including community planning, livelihood training, and facilitation of access to inputs and markets for project participants. Under the supervision of the Field Officer, you will conduct follow-up visits to provide additional guidance and support to households in communities of Koshk Robat Sangi, Gozara, and Injil districts of Herat province. 

With support from the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) project staff, the field assistant will be responsible for the timely collection of project data and reporting to your supervisor. You are responsible for managing relationships with the community members and promoting project accountability, and they contact people with communities and the CRS office.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Implementation of all livelihood activities at the field level, ensuring implementation schedules are met as per the detailed activity plan.
• Quickly report and resolve any social issues related to project implementation that may arise in the community during the project implementation.
• Work closely with village Shuras and community leaders to organize training and complete the project activities.
• Coordinate communication and facilitate information sharing between CRS and project beneficiaries at the community level to assist in strengthening community interest, involvement, and community-led approaches.
•  In coordination with the Field officer, support capacity-building events for community members.
• Collection of regular monitoring data, including but not limited to training sessions, observation forms, attendance sheets, and activity tracking and sharing with the MEAL team.
• Participate in project learning and reflection events.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with project teams, project participants, community leaders, and other project stakeholders when required. 
• Support programming activities at the field level, including beneficiary identification and verification, in-kind distributions, post-distribution monitoring, training, SBC activities, etc., contributing to ensuring quality implementation.
• Support assessments by working with communities to ensure that their needs and preferences are reflected in project activities and decision-making (e.g., specific topics for training, preferences about shelter structures, etc.)

• High School diploma required. Bachelor’s degree a plus in agricultural, Bioengineering, Economy.
• 2 years of work or volunteer experience in community development and mobilization. Experience in Agriculture, DRM, SLG, and IGA with INGO would be a plus.
• Strong community facilitation/training skills are required.
• Excellent communication skills and good judgment regarding problem-solving

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation and active listening skills
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Good attitude and willingness to always learn
• Strong sensitivity and respect for local cultures, familiarity with cultures of different Afghan communities.
• Ability to conduct training for project participants
• Ability to use computers and tablets for data collection and reporting
• Basic computer and internet usage skills
• Ability to travel to remote areas in districts and stay for a long time when needed
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook 2016, Excel Online, Word Online, Microsoft Teams) is a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:  

• Internal: Senior Project Officer, Program Manager, MEAL SPO, MEAL Field Officer, Operation team
• External: Project Participants, Community Leaders/Shuras, community members, and other project stakeholders.

Required Languages – Fluent in Dari. Working knowledge of Pashto and English a plus

Travel – The position will be based in the CRS Herat office, with up to 90% of anticipated travel to project communities and the CRS sub-offices. The position may also require occasional travel to other CRS offices in Afghanistan for workshops and training if needed. 

CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahram who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahram who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight stays.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 

• Builds Relationships  
• Develops Talent 
• Strategic Mindset 

Accountability & Stewardship 

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.  

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., May 12^th, 2025), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.