Shining Star Educational Organization of Afghanistan (SSEOA) is a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan, with Registration Number 4388 dated February 18, 2018. SSEOA works in the fields of education, health, and livelihood in the remote regions of Afghanistan. SSEOA envisions creating educational opportunities for girls and women to grow, thrive, and prosper. SSEOA works to empower communities in Afghanistan through education, especially for girls, promotes peace through education, and conveys the importance of these activities all around the country. Our mission is to empower Afghans, especially girls and women in the remote regions of Afghanistan by creating educational opportunities and livelihood skills because SSEOA has a firm belief that without educating girls, peace and prosperity is not possible.

SSEOA boasts a team of highly qualified professionals renowned for their discipline, organization, efficiency, and extensive tenure within both national and international organizations. The team is spearheaded by an Executive Body comprising of the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Program Director, Finance Manager, and Program Manager, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. At the helm of strategic governance stands SSEOA's Board of Directors, comprising five distinguished members renowned for their extensive experience working with the government and NGO sector.

The Mushroom Cultivation Trainer / Community Mobilizer will be responsible for delivering technical training on small-scale mushroom farming and leading the mobilization and selection of project beneficiaries. The trainer will ensure that women gain the necessary skills to start and sustain mushroom cultivation while supporting the project's outreach and implementation at the community level.

Key Responsibilities: 

Training Delivery:

• Design and deliver practical, step-by-step training modules on mushroom cultivation, including:
  • Selection of mushroom types suitable for the local climate
  • Substrate preparation and sterilization
  • Spawn inoculation techniques
  • Growth monitoring and environmental control
  • Harvesting, packaging, and storage
• Conduct interactive sessions that are accessible to low-literacy participants, with a focus on hands-on learning.
• Provide post-training technical support and regular follow-up visits to ensure proper setup and operation.
• Maintain accurate records of training sessions, attendance, and participant progress.

Community Mobilization & Beneficiary Selection:

• Conduct outreach and awareness-raising sessions in the community to promote project objectives.
• Collaborate with CDCs, elders, and women's groups to identify and engage potential beneficiaries.
• Support the fair and transparent selection of participants based on predefined criteria.
• Conduct household visits and assessments to verify beneficiary eligibility and interest.
• Document the beneficiary selection process and provide a detailed selection report.

Coordination & Reporting:

• Work closely with the Regional Manager, Project Officer, and M&E team to align activities and ensure timely implementation.
• Participate in planning, review, and coordination meetings.
• Support baseline and post-training data collection in collaboration with the M&E team.
• Submit weekly activity updates and monthly progress reports, including challenges, outcomes, and recommendations.
• Contribute to final project documentation and reporting.

• A Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Sciences, or a related field.

•  At least 5 years of practical experience in mushroom cultivation and small-scale agricultural training, preferably with community-based or women-focused projects.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering training programs to rural or low-literacy participants.
• Previous involvement in community mobilization and beneficiary selection processes, particularly in rural or remote areas.
• Experience working with NGOs, community development projects, or donor-funded initiatives is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with the local context in Badakhshan Province and fluency in Dari (Pashto is an asset).
• Basic knowledge of monitoring, reporting, and documentation related to field-based training and outreach activities.
• Technical Knowledge: Practical expertise in mushroom cultivation techniques and post-harvest handling.
• Training & Facilitation: Ability to design and deliver effective, hands-on training for adult learners in rural communities.
• Community Mobilization: Skilled in building rapport with community members and encouraging inclusive participation.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify and resolve field-level challenges proactively.
• Reporting: Competence in compiling clear and concise field and training reports.
• Teamwork: Collaborative, with the ability to work in coordination with project staff and local partners.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Awareness of local customs and gender dynamics, and ability to work respectfully within them.
• Organizational Skills: Effective time management and planning skills to handle diverse responsibilities.

• Interested Candidates are invited to submit their CV, a Cover Letter, and references to hr@sseoa.af
• Please indicate the Position Title and Vacancy number, ( Mushroom Cultivation Trainer / Community Mobilizer-2025-03) in the subject line of your email. Otherwise, your application will not be considered. The Priority will be given to applicants based in Faizabad, Badakhshan).
• Applications after the closing date (midnight) will not be considered.
• Due to the large number of applications received, we can only correspond with the Shortlisted Candidates.