Shelter for Life International (SFL) is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit and international faith-based organization. It has been working in Afghanistan since 1998 and is presently managing long-term and short-term humanitarian and development programs to the people in need in countries around the world. SFL is currently operational in Afghanistan, Liberia, South Sudan, Senegal and Tajikistan. Our Headquarters is located in Minnetonka, MN and funded by multiple donors such as BPRM, USG, USDA and WFP. SFL has rich experience and provides assistance in the following areas; Agriculture Development, Food Security, livelihood and emergency, Shelter and Population Settlement, Application of Microcredit, Infrastructure Development and Health and Nutrition.

The Resilience Food System (RFS) project, funded by the World Food Programme (WFP), aims to strengthen household food security, improve resilience, and promote sustainable agricultural livelihoods.

The Horticulture Officer will lead and oversee the horticulture-related activities of the RFS Project, ensuring quality technical support to farmers and effective utilization of cold storage facilities. The role includes supervising Horticulture Extension Assistants, providing strategic guidance, and ensuring the adoption of improved production and post-harvest practices to strengthen farmers’ resilience, productivity, and market access.

Shelter for Life implements safe and PSEA-sensitive human resources practices
and processes throughout recruitment, contracting, and performance management to ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and beneficiaries.Shelter for Life has zero-tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).

The Horticulture Officer will be responsible for:

1. Farmer Linkages & Market Access

• Facilitate sustainable linkages between fruit and vegetable growers and cold storage facilities.
• Strengthen farmer connections with traders, wholesalers, and agribusiness actors to improve market access and profitability.
• Support farmer groups and cooperatives in establishing collective marketing mechanisms.

2. Training & Capacity Building

• Design, organize, and deliver technical training programs on post-harvest management, including packaging, grading, sorting, and safe storage practices.
• Provide advanced training to farmers and supervise Horticulture Extension Assistants in farmer training delivery.
• Conduct awareness sessions on modern practices in fruit and vegetable production to enhance quality and competitiveness.

3. Cold Storage Operation & Management

• Oversee the proper operation and management of project-supported cold storage facilities.
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to minimize post-harvest losses and maintain product quality.
• Monitor the effective use of cold storage facilities and guide farmer groups on sustainability mechanisms.

4. Extension Services in Horticulture

• Provide technical guidance on fruit tree pruning, pest and disease management, irrigation, fertilization, and compost application.
• Promote improved and climate-resilient vegetable cultivation techniques, including crop rotation, soil fertility management, and integrated pest management.
• Supervise and mentor Horticulture Extension Assistants in delivering quality extension services to farmers.

5. Reporting, Monitoring & Documentation

• Collect, review, and validate field-level data, farmer feedback, and technical progress reports from Extension Assistants.
• Prepare consolidated technical reports, highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Document best practices and success stories to support knowledge sharing and donor reporting.

• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Project Manager.

Qualification/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, .
• 4 to 5 years relevant work experience in the field of Agriculture and Agriculture Extension with NGOs, INGOs or UN agencies.
• Demonstrated supervisory/coordination experience with field staff.
• Strong technical knowledge of fruit and vegetable production, pest/disease management, and cold storage systems.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and reporting skills.
• Experience working with farmer groups, cooperatives, and market actors is an advantage.
• Practical knowledge of irrigation, fertilization, pest and disease management, and post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables.
• Familiarity with vermicomposting, home/kitchen gardening, and plantation techniques.
• Experience in beneficiary registration and CBT distribution is an asset.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively with rural communities, respecting local customs and traditions.
• Computer skills at the operator level, especially with MS Office packages.
• Fluency in English and Dari and/or Pashto, both written and spoken.
• Ability or experience in the field of community driven development projects monitoring
• High attention to detail, effective time management skills, strong work ethic, a willingness to learn new skills, and the ability to be a self-starter.
• Experience in planning, reporting and budgeting.
• Good communication skill and able to pass the massage/questions in local languages to the respondents.
• Have good interpersonal skills and ability to plan work.
• Regional and cultural knowledge of areas of SFL field operations in Afghanistan
• Willingness to work long hours when required
• Ability and willingness to travel to the project sites and outside of duty station within Afghanistan and adjust to the SFL environment as frequently as required
• Honest, proactive, well mannered, and must share values of SFL.
• Willing to stay in field locations
• Ready to work, live and travel in an intricate and strenuous environment

Interested qualified candidates should submit a full CV with a cover letter explaining their motivation in applying for the job and highlighting their relevant skills and experience, and submit their application to the link: https://www.careers-page.com/sflinternational

Academic certificates or references need not to be submitted at this time. These will be requested if called for an interview.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for a written test and/or interview.

Applications received after the announcement closing date or applications in hard copy will not be accepted.

The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background & Reference check and be compliant and sign up to Shelter for Life’s Code of Conduct, PSEA (Prevention from Sexual exploitation and abuse), and other SFL’s policies prior to a final offer being made