Job Openings Extension Worker (Horticulture)

About the job Extension Worker (Horticulture)

Vacancy Number:

SFL_AFG_ 051_2025

Post Title:

Extension Worker (Horticulture).

Minimum Education Level:

Bachelors degree In Horticulture.

Organization:

Shelter For Life International (SFL).

Program

Strengthening Access to Essential Food Security and Health Services (Support for Afghan People) Project (OSRO/AFG/155/ASB)

Duty Station:

Takhar and Badakhshan Provinces, indicate in your subject email the province you apply for

No. of Position:

3

Gender

Male.

Nationality:

Afghan.

Salary Range:

As per the organization's project salary.

Duration:

12 Months with 3 Months of Probationary.

Job Type:

Full Time

Type of Contract:

Project Based

Announcing Date:

27 December 2025

Closing Date:

3 January 2026

Background:

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 WFP and FAO. 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.

Shelter for Life (SFL), in partnership with FAO, is implementing, the Strengthening Access to Essential Food Security and Health Services (Support for Afghan People) Project (OSRO/AFG/155/ASB) aim to strengthen food security and resilience among vulnerable households in Takhar and Badakhshan Province. These projects respond to acute food insecurity caused by prolonged drought, economic instability, and limited agricultural productivity. By providing immediate food assistance, agricultural inputs, and capacity-building support, the projects seek to enhance livelihoods, improve nutrition, and reduce the vulnerability of smallholder farmers and at-risk communities, thereby contributing to overall stability and resilience in the provinces

Job Summary:

The Extension Worker will play a key technical role in implementing the Strengthening Access to Essential Food Security and Health Services (Support for Afghan People) Project (OSRO/AFG/155/ASB) in Takhar and Badakhshan Provinces. The position will provide field-based agricultural extension support to farmers, ensuring proper use of FAO-supported agricultural inputs, including Cereal crops, oil seeds, summer crop packages, and dairy kits. The Extension Worker will regularly visit beneficiary farms to provide practical guidance on improved fruit and vegetable production and management, and climate-smart farming practices. The role includes conducting simple trainings, field demonstrations, and Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to strengthen farmers knowledge and skills.

The Horticulture Extension Worker will play a key technical role in implementing the Strengthening Access to Essential Food Security and Health Services (Support for Afghan People) Project (OSRO/AFG/155/ASB) in Takhar and Badakhshan Provinces activities by providing field-based extension services focused on vegetable production and orchard establishment. The position will guide beneficiaries on improved horticultural practices, proper use of FAO-supported inputs, and climate-smart approaches to enhance productivity, quality, and household food security. The role will work closely with farmers, especially women and vulnerable households, through trainings, demonstrations, and regular field visits.

Through close coordination with the Project agronomist, FAO technical staff, and local agriculture authorities, the Extension Worker will support effective input utilization, improve crop productivity, enhance household food security, and build resilience among vulnerable farming communities.

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).

Key Responsibility:

  1. Support farmers in vegetable production and orchard establishment (fruit trees) using FAO-recommended horticultural practices.
  2. Guide farmers on land preparation, nursery management, seedling/seed use, planting and transplanting, spacing, and orchard layout.
  3. Provide technical advice on irrigation methods, fertilizer application, mulching, and soil fertility management for vegetables and orchards.
  4. Promote climate-smart horticulture practices such as water-efficient irrigation, compost making, integrated pest management (IPM), and soil conservation.
  5. Conduct practical trainings, Farmer Field Schools (FFS), and field demonstrations on vegetable cultivation and orchard management.
  6. Establish and regularly monitor demonstration plots for vegetables and orchard technologies.
  7. Conduct regular field visits to monitor crop and tree health, identify pests and diseases, and provide on-site solutions.
  8. Ensure correct and timely use of FAO-distributed seeds, seedlings/saplings, fertilizers, and horticultural inputs.
  9. Facilitate trainings on pre-harvest and post-harvest handling to improve quality and reduce losses of vegetables and fruits.
  10. Provide targeted support to smallholder farmers, women, and vulnerable households to ensure inclusive participation.
  11. Train and support community mobilizers and lead farmers to strengthen local horticulture extension capacity.
  12. Collect and record field data on input use, crop and tree performance, survival rates, and yields.
  13. Coordinate closely with Agronomists, FAO staff, and local agriculture offices (DAIL).
  14. Prepare simple field and technical reports and maintain accurate records of trainings, demonstrations, and field activities.
  15. Monitor adoption of improved horticultural practices and document challenges, lessons learned, and success stories.
  16. Ensure compliance with FAO environmental, safeguarding, and gender inclusion policies.
  17. Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the Project Manager in line with project objectives.

Qualification/

Requirements:

  • Bachelors degree in Horticulture.
  • Minimum 6 Years of General Experience with NGOs, INGOs or UN agencies.
  • Minimum 4 years relevant work experience in the field of Agriculture with NGOs, INGOs or UN agencies.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Experience in planning and daily reporting
  • 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.
  • team worker, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
  • 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
  • Local candidates will be preferred.
  • To be an Afghan citizen.

Submission Guideline:

Application procedure:

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 send your application / CV to the below email account; https://www.careers-page.com/sflinternational. Please do not forget to write Position Title and Vacancy Number in the subject of your email and indicate in your subject email the province you apply for.

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 after announcement closing date or Application 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 SFLs policies prior to a final offer being made.