MAPs (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) Instructor

About ARWEO:

ARWEO is a nonprofit organization with a visionary focus on the rehabilitation and protection of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan. ARWEO has a strategic goal of assisting the lifesaving and immediate needs of the marginalized population including IDPs, refugees, and host communities in eastern, central, northern and central highlands regions. ARWEO has a history of 22 years implemented 86 projects with 65% of projects in Shelter, education, protection, food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. ARWEO is dedicated to transforming the lives of marginalized children including boys and girls, particularly those with immediate education, protection, and humanitarian needs, and those belonging to IDP, refugee, and host communities in the affected provinces of Afghanistan.

Project Background:

ARWEO is implementing the Youth Skill Development in Climate Resilience & Green Jobs project in Kunar Province. The project supports adolescents and youth, with strong priority for young women and girls, returnees, vulnerable households, and persons with disabilities across Asadabad, Shigal, Nurgal, Narang, Khas Kunar, and Chawkay. Training and support are organized around four trades: Solar PV Installation and Maintenance, Climate-Smart Kitchen Gardening, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs), and Home-Based Poultry Farming. The project combines technical skills, life skills, safe delivery arrangements, accountability, market linkage, and practical follow-up so that participants can apply their learning for livelihoods, income generation, self-employment, and household resilience.

Summary:

The MAPs Instructor is responsible for delivering practical training on medicinal and aromatic plants, including cultivation, handling, harvesting, drying, simple processing, and safe household-level value addition. The instructor is expected to help trainees develop practical skills that are realistic under local conditions and useful for home-based production and small-scale enterprise pathways.

Key Responsibilities

Training Delivery

·       Prepare and deliver structured MAPs sessions according to the approved training schedule and plan.

·       Use demonstrations, practical handling exercises, and simple explanations suited to the literacy and learning levels of trainees.

·       Ensure sessions are organized, participatory, and properly documented through attendance and session records.

·       Promote confidence-building and regular participation throughout the training cycle.

Technical Content and Practical Skills

·       Teach cultivation basics, species handling, planting, care, harvesting, drying, hygiene, storage, and simple processing methods.

·       Teach trainees how to maintain product quality, avoid contamination, and use simple household-level methods for value preservation.

·       Promote responsible and sustainable use of plant resources and realistic low-cost approaches suitable for local conditions.

·       Introduce simple household enterprise considerations such as quality, packaging awareness, and safe handling.

Training Planning and Materials

·       Prepare session plans, practice plans, and materials/equipment requirements in advance.

·       Coordinate with the project team on demonstration materials, drying trays or tools where relevant, and center readiness needs.

·       Adapt technical delivery methods where seasonal or practical constraints affect training implementation.

Trainee Support, Monitoring, and Coordination

·       Maintain attendance and immediately flag absenteeism, dropout risks, or protection concerns to the project team.

·       Support trainees during practical tasks and provide constructive feedback in a respectful manner.

·       Participate in simple skills checks, trainee feedback collection, and follow-up support as required.

·       Coordinate with Community Mobilizers and project staff to support participation, retention, and practical learning.

Reporting and Documentation

·       Submit attendance sheets, session plans, progress notes, and required updates on time.

·       Contribute to monthly reports, monitoring visits, and technical review activities.

·       Immediately report serious issues affecting training quality, safety, materials, or center functioning

·       Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Medical and Aromatic Plants Cultivation and Processing, or related field.

·       At least 2–3 years of relevant practical and/or instructional experience in MAPs, horticulture, post-harvest handling, or similar work.

·       Previous experience as a trainer, extension worker, instructor, or field practitioner in NGO, TVET, private sector, or community settings is an advantage.

·       Ability to explain practical agricultural and processing concepts in a clear and understandable way for trainees with mixed educational backgrounds.

·       Good communication skills in local languages; basic English is an advantage.

·       For female centers, female instructors are strongly preferred where required by project arrangements and community context.

 Core Competencies

·       Strong practical MAPs cultivation and handling skills.

·       Ability to teach patiently, clearly, and respectfully.

·       Good facilitation and trainee support skills.

·       Attention to hygiene, quality, and safe handling practices.

·       Reliable documentation and communication.

·       Good teamwork and cooperation with project staff.

Gender and Inclusion Considerations

·       Training delivery and staff conduct must respect the realities of male and female learning groups and the agreed center arrangements.

·       Female trainees must be supported through respectful, culturally appropriate, and confidence-building approaches, especially in women’s centers.

·       The post holder must take into account the needs of returnees, vulnerable youth, persons with disabilities, and participants who need extra encouragement or practical support.

·       Any discriminatory, humiliating, exploitative, or abusive behaviors is strictly prohibited.

Performance Expectations

·       Regular, timely, and quality delivery of MAPs sessions.

·       Strong trainee attendance support and practical facilitation quality.

·       Proper management of session plans, attendance records, and training documentation.

·       Professional conduct and compliance with project procedures and safeguarding requirements.

·       Visible practical progress among trainees in the MAPs trade area.

Other Conditions

The role may require travel to training centers and district locations, flexible scheduling according to production seasons and training calendars, and support for related technical tasks reasonably connected to the post. ARWEO may adjust detailed assignments within the overall scope of this TOR in response to project needs and contextual realities.

Protection From Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Commitment:

ARWEO has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse. All employees are expected to comply with our PSEA policy. This includes:

·       Undergoing PSEA training

·       Signing a self-declaration form

·       Participating in reference checks that include questions on PSEA

·       Reporting any suspected cases of sexual exploitation and abuse

Safeguarding:

·       Uphold and promote ARWEOI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.

·       Consistent with ARWEO’s safeguarding and protection policies, ensure all people who come into contact with ARWEO are as safe as possible.

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter without educational documents to hr@arweo.org.af

Note: Applications without mentioning the Position Title, Vacancy Number and District in the subject line of the email will NOT be considered.

Females are particularly encouraged to apply

"The MAPs (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) Instructor will have to create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of the code of conduct"