About Modern Agriculture Animal Husbandry Organization (MAAO):

Modern Agriculture Animal Husbandry Organization (MAAO) is a national, non-political, non-racial, non-profitable and non-governmental organization, based on human values.

MAAO is a national organization with international standards registered with Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Economy, headquartered is in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province.

MAAO operation will be in all part of Afghanistan to boost sustainable economic opportunities through enhancing the agriculture & Livestock productivity, Education, rural development, capacity development and Civil Society, focusing on women role.

MAAO has the ability to provide trainings and conducts researches in agriculture components, in agriculture education for capacity building, value chain in all relevant sectors, vocational trainings, handicrafts, Health and Nutrition, other relevant fields

Position Description:
The SSVC Trainer will be responsible for delivering practical training to 300 women beneficiaries (150 in Qaysar, 150 in Pashtun Kot) under the FFI Phase 2 project. She will provide technical guidance on hydroponic vegetable production (leafy greens, cucumber, tomato) and Sweet Wheat Pudding production – a nutrient-dense First Food for children under two and pregnant/breastfeeding women.

The trainer will also integrate nutrition education, food safety, and market linkage support into the training curriculum. S/he will work closely with the Agronomist, Nutrition team, and Market Linkage Officer to ensure a holistic approach to household food security and women's economic empowerment.

Key Responsibilities:

I. Training Delivery – Hydroponic Vegetables

• Deliver practical, hands-on training to women beneficiaries on:

§  Setup and maintenance of hydroponic systems (trays, growing cloth, seeds, water management).

§  Growing nutrient-dense vegetables: leafy greens (spinach, lettuce, chives, parsley), cucumber, and tomato.

§  Daily care, pest management, and harvesting techniques.

§  Seed selection, sowing, and crop rotation for year-round production.

• Conduct training sessions at designated SSVC centers and follow up with on-site coaching visits.

II. Training Delivery – Samanak (Sweet Wheat Pudding) Production

• Train beneficiaries on the complete Samanak production process:

• Germination: Soaking wheat seeds for 24 hours and sprouting in a dark place for 5–7 days.
• Grinding: Harvesting sprouts and grinding into a paste.
• Cooking: Slow-cooking with water, flour, and oil for 5–6 hours until thickened.

• Emphasize the nutritional benefits of Samanak:

• Rich in protein, iron, B vitamins, and calcium – ideal for children 6–23 months and pregnant/breastfeeding women.

• Ensure food safety and hygiene practices are followed during production.
• Link Samanak production to improved dietary diversity and child nutrition outcomes.

III. Nutrition Education & SBCC Integration

• Integrate nutrition messaging into all training sessions (e.g., IYCF practices, dietary diversity, importance of First Foods).
• Use the UNICEF recipe book and other SBCC materials to reinforce nutrition messages.
• Conduct awareness sessions on the importance of consuming diverse foods, especially for children under two and pregnant/breastfeeding women.

IV. Market Linkage & Income Generation Support

• Provide guidance to beneficiaries on selling surplus production (hydroponic vegetables and Samanak) at village level.
• Facilitate connections with local buyers, shops, and community networks.
• Support beneficiaries in forming informal groups for collective sales where applicable.
• Encourage beneficiaries to use their USD 300 start-up grant to expand production and purchase raw materials.

V. Monitoring & Reporting

• Maintain daily attendance records of beneficiaries.
• Track production progress (vegetable yields, Samanak production frequency) and report to the Project Manager.
• Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned from the field.
• Submit weekly and monthly training reports to the Project Manager and M&E team.
• Participate in bi-weekly coordination meetings with WFP, FAO, and UNICEF (as required).

VI. Coordination & Community Engagement

• Work closely with female community leaders, CDCs, and local authorities to ensure community ownership and participation.
• Coordinate with FAO and UNICEF to align SSVC activities with livestock/poultry inputs and SBCC sessions.
• Refer beneficiaries with specific needs to relevant referral services and additional support.

VII. PSEA Declaration & Vetting Procedure

·                  As an organization committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability, we are dedicated to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) in all our operations. We expect all employees to maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or harassment.

·                  By applying for this position, you agree to adhere to our PSEA principles and report any concerns or incidents related to misconduct promptly to the designated focal point within the organization. Failure to comply with these standards may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

·                  As part of our commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals, we conduct a thorough vetting process for all candidates. This includes a specific inquiry into any past allegations, investigations, or disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct.

·                  We will ask all references to confirm if the candidate has ever been subject to any such issues, left employment pending an investigation, or refused to cooperate with an investigation related to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

VIII. Protection Tasks

·         Consider the protection needs of beneficiaries and ensure to mitigate harm.

·         Support beneficiaries with specific needs to access referral services and additional support.

·         Ensure "Do No Harm" strategies are practiced and field teams are briefed and guided properly.

IX. Soft Skills

·         Ability to cope well under pressure, work irregular hours and meet tight deadlines.

·         Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments in a timely manner.

·         Strong report writing and communication skills.

·         Deadline-Oriented.

·         Attention to details.

X. Additional Job Responsibilities

·         The duties and responsibilities set out above are not exhaustive. The postholder may be required to carry out additional duties from time to time, subject to change with the evolution of the project progress.

Job Requirements:

Competence:

Passionate to work, teamwork oriented, problem-solving skills, excellent communication, interpretation and analytical skills, willingness to work in tough field conditions with rural communities, meet tight deadlines, work under pressure, willingness to travel based on need and requirement.

Core Competencies:

·         Highly motivated, effective communication skills, both verbally and written in group or individual.

·         Experience utilizing computers including word processing, spreadsheet, and other software packages.

·         Be respectful, possess cultural and political awareness and sensitivity.

·         Demonstrate flexibility, consistency and sound work ethics.

·         Integrity, loyalty and discretion on high standard.

Qualifications:

·         Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Nutrition, Agricultural Development, or related discipline.

·         Minimum 2–3 years of field experience in agriculture, hydroponic production, nutrition training, or women's livelihood projects (preferably with WFP, FAO, or similar programs).

·         Proven experience in hydroponic vegetable production (leafy greens, cucumber, tomato) and Samanak production (or similar food processing/nutrition activities).

·         Knowledge of IYCF practices, dietary diversity, and maternal/child nutrition.

·         Experience working with rural women, women-headed households, and community-based groups.

·         Strong facilitation, communication, and documentation skills.

·         Familiarity with SBCC approaches and nutrition-sensitive programming.

·         Good technical reporting and communication skills in English.

Language Skills:

·         Fluency in Dari, Pashto, and English (writing, speaking, reading, and understanding).

·         Knowledge of Uzbaki is an advantage.

Submission Guidelines:

Interested and qualified candidates can submit their CVs along with a cover letter to the HR Department of MAAO through the link address: https://maao.org.af/Jobs-Listing-Page-main/jobs.html

Please note, while sending your C.V & Cover letter, please mention the vacancy number and position in the subject line, application received after the closing date and without subject line will not be taken in consideration. Local applicants from the same province are encouraged to apply and will be given priority.

Due to huge number of applications, only those applicants who meet the minimum qualification and requirements for the mentioned position will be contacted for the written test and interview.