The Community Support and Livelihood Specialist will report to the Senior Project Manager and work in close collaboration with the grants management and the field implementation team. S/he will: 

• support the team by providing an assessment of livelihoods opportunities at the sites identified by UNOPS, 

• provide technical and economic guidance in development of the livelihoods project scope, cost and design, 

• support the PESCs with information and advice on potential livelihoods projects,

• assess proposals by PESCs and communities for livelihoods projects,

• oversee implementation partners that support communities with information and advice, 

• oversee the implementation of the livelihoods projects,

• contribute to and support calls for proposals, terms of reference and procurement processes related to livelihoods and agricultural beneficiation and economics,

• support the capacitation of rural energy businesses,

• Advise on market linkages.

The specialist will support engagement with the local community and authorities. The Specialist will be supported by implementing partners for Community Support and PESC/enterprise capacity development. The position is based in Kabul with frequent travel to the project sites.

The responsibilities for the position include but are not limited to:

Agricultural Livelihoods

• Advise and capacitate WERP team on agricultural livelihoods aspects, including land improvements, crop suitability and yield improvement actions, suitable beneficiation components resting to additional energy uses

• Assess proposals from PESCs and communities for livelihood projects which integrate with the power supply projects and increase community capacity to generate income.

• Develop ToRs for Community Support Agents to support the community on a) agricultural improvements and b) effective water management that result in the increase of yield and transition to higher value crops

• Develop ToRs for capacity building, knowledge sharing and market information dissemination of PESCs.

• Oversee the cash-for-work component conceptualization, assessment of cash-for-work proposals.

• Monitor implementation of projects by PESCs and communities to ensure they strengthen the sustainability of the power supply and income generation.

Planning and coordination:

• Advise on and support the planning, organizing, management of project intervention activities with stakeholders and or with any relevant authorities at various levels of intervention  

• Map and document project intervention activities in the field   

• Liase with and support coordination of various entities relevant to the agricultural and livelihoods components, including liaison with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Irrigation.

• Monitor and advise coordinating structures set up for the project

• Support the documentation of case studies

• Knowledge transfer to project team members on acquired information

• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the project

Knowledge management, communication and reporting:

• Coordinate and manage the knowledge sharing initiative for PESCs

• Document case studies on rural energy supply projects for dissemination 

• Ensure relevant information on agricultural livelihoods and rural energy enterprises is included in the management information system

• Support on information management and knowledge transfer to the project staff

• Report to the Senior Project Manager on a weekly basis on community risks / issues and the project’s performance in relation to those issues

• Report to the Senior Project Manager any potential implementation problems and bottlenecks with possible solutions

• Keep up to date with the daily and weekly developments of the project

• Help resolve issues at the community level with consistent reporting on achievements 

• Act as a focal point for the project with the communities and and other relevant stakeholders 

A. Education

• Advanced university degree in agricultural science, economics or relevant related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with two years’ additional experience in the agricultural economics/market sector.

B. Work Experience

Required

• Five years post-graduate relevant professional experience in agricultural livelihood and/or economics, and/or agricultural value chains 

• Experience working with local communities in the creation and or execution of livelihoods or humanitarian and development projects 

• Experience engaging with stakeholders (private sector companies, government departments, and other development institutions )

• Good knowledge and/or experience of agriculture and agricultural markets in Afghanistan.

Preferred

• Experience in specific aspects such as agronomics and value chain development

• Experience working with national and international organizations that are contributing to the reconstruction and development in Afghanistan 

• Prior experience with Government related development institutions, NGOs, INGOs, UN/UNOPS, or similar humanitarian and development actors will have a significant advantage

• Established networks in the agricultural market in Afghanistan.