1. Project Background
BEST is implementing a project under a grant agreement with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Badakhshan Province. The project focuses on improving agricultural productivity, strengthening farmer groups, and enhancing livelihoods. The target sites in Baharak District are Razaq Birdi and Arghanjkhwa.
The Team Leader / Agriculture Specialist is a BEST staff position and works under BEST's internal management structure. This role does not directly report to UNOPS.
2. Objective
To coordinate and facilitate the implementation of project activities, provide technical support to field teams, ensure quality delivery of agricultural interventions, and serve as a liaison point between the project team and UNOPS/stakeholders in Baharak District.
3. Key Responsibilities
Coordination and Facilitation:
- Coordinate all project activities in Baharak District in close consultation with project staff and BEST seniors.
- Serve as a liaison point between the project team and UNOPS, PESCs, DAIL, Community Representative Groups (CRGs), and other stakeholders (without direct reporting to UNOPS).
- Ensure all activities are implemented according to approved work plans and UNOPS guidelines.
- Facilitate communication and coordination among project staff (Agriculture Master Trainer, SME and Grants Officer, Community Mobilizers, CfW/HSSE Supervisor).
- Coordinate with the Finance Manager on financial reporting and compliance.
Technical Agriculture Support:
- Provide technical support to the Agriculture Master Trainer and field teams on irrigated crop production, irrigation water management, soil management, and pest control.
- Ensure agricultural activities are aligned with irrigated agriculture systems supported by UNOPS‑installed, PESC‑operated irrigation systems.
- Support the development and delivery of farmer training, ToT, and field demonstrations.
Planning, Monitoring, and Reporting:
- Assist in developing annual and monthly work plans for all project activities.
- Monitor project progress and track results against indicators.
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation quality and provide on‑site guidance.
- Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and final progress reports (narrative and financial) for review by BEST seniors before any submission to UNOPS.
- Ensure data quality, verification, and gender‑disaggregated reporting.
Compliance and Safeguards Support:
- Support compliance with UNOPS Grant Agreement, environmental and social safeguards, PSEA standards, and HSSE requirements.
- Assist in integrating cross‑cutting considerations: gender inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and protection.
- Support the grievance feedback mechanism and ensure accessible reporting channels for communities.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Liaise with UNOPS field staff on CfW monitoring, input distribution, and SME grant implementation (as a coordinator, not a direct reporter).
- Coordinate with PESCs to align farmer support with irrigation service availability.
- Engage with community leaders, CRGs, and local authorities to support community ownership.
- Perform any other task assigned by BEST seniors/project management.
What this role does NOT do:
- Does not directly report to UNOPS
- Does not have unilateral decision‑making authority
- Does not engage in construction or technical design of irrigation systems (UNOPS responsibility)
- Does not directly handle cash or payments
- Does not replace UNOPS in procurement or financial management
- Does not supervise staff in a disciplinary or HR capacity (facilitates coordination only)
4. Deliverables
- Annual and monthly work plans (developed in coordination with team)
- Field visit reports and monitoring checklists
- Monthly, quarterly, and final progress reports (submitted through BEST internal channels)
