Project background:

The Crisis Response Initiative - Afghanistan (CRI) project is designed based on the socio-economic impacts of the long years of conflict and the pandemic, effects of the near collapse of the financial institutions and the ripple effects associated with the Ukraine crisis. It will promote synergies with other agencies and organizations operating in the country for humanitarian and related essential livelihood activities. CRI resources will be used to finance production, processing and marketing activities of beneficiaries in 5 regional hubs and 15 satellite provinces where the target groups are predominant and whose livelihoods are in the livestock-dairy industry, poultry, lamb fattening, wool and cashmere production

The choice of commodities and the value chain approach for this project stems from the key lessons learned from various IFAD supported projects in the country (CLAP, SNaPP2, RPSF): (i) IFAD investments from these projects that directly supported the production activities of farmers to improve productivity has provided the basis and the opportunity for accessing the market and linking with the private sector; (ii) the Project services for the farmers, processors and buyers and the CLAP investment in the setting up of the Dairy Plant have laid the foundation for the development of the livestock-dairy industry that necessitates sustained support; ii) small ruminant and poultry activities can be directly targeted to small famers, women and female-headed households within a traditional and conservative society; (iii) farmers learn from each other cascading the spread of new technologies and practical skills on fodder processing and preservation technologies such as silage making and urea treatment; (iv) the system of community male and female extension workers and community based veterinary field units (VFUs) proved to be an excellent sustainable model of private sector delivery with professionally trained paravets selected by communities have established their own private fee for service VFUs in the community; and, (v) the innovation fund provides flexibility for support to women’s enterprises and income generating activities with women very keen to work in groups and to learn from each other.

DCA will also coordinate with the DFA national and local authorities, the Kuchi Board and customary leaders and influencers such as Shura, Malik, Jirga, women courtyards and Mullah (religious) leaders to facilitate needs-based approach, create ownership and improve sustainability.

Major Components of CRI, and RPSF Projects are:             

• Provision of inputs and basic assets for production
• Facilitated access to markets
• Financing support to assets and facilities strengthened
• Provision of inputs and basic assets for production
• Number of people receiving veterinary services to mitigate effects of COVID-19 crisis
• Para-vet support package to facilitate the extended provision of veterinary services particularly in the remote areas that are interrupted during the pandemic

Job Description:

General Position Summary:

The Extension workers will work closely with pastoralist and farmers groups, mobilize male and female pastoralists/farmers, enhance their capacity to identify extension and agriculture development issues, develop plans and retain sustainable income resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Mobilize the communities and carry out field assessments such as needs assessment survey, project progress, impact survey etc.
• Organize and conduct extension activities for pastoralist herders in targeted provinces.
• Extension worker should create linkage among herders and milk collection centers.
• Financing support to asset and facilities strengthened.
• Provision of input and basic assist for herders.
• Extension worker should train the beneficiaries about the diseases of poultry.
• Extension worker should provide training and technical advice to beneficiaries of lamb- fattening activities.
• Convey extension packages to VFUs, male and female extension groups.
• Conduct farmers field day in the provinces as required
• Regularly updating Provincial Facilitator and project manager about events and the progress of field activities.
• Represent DCA in targeted community whenever needed.
• Conduct all other works which are being assigned by Provincial Facilitator or project manager.