Agriculture Development in Afghanistan

The objective of this transition project is to transfer organizational and individual functional capacity from externally funded programmes to the MAIL formal organizational structure. To accomplish this requires close coordination with a wide range of stakeholders, internal to MAIL’s technical and administrative structures (e.g., Human Resources, Finance) and other international donors supporting MAIL’s transition efforts. The project will focus on supporting the transition process of integrating the five EU-funded programmes into MAIL’s institutional organization, specifically:

  • Assisting MAIL’s Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs Directorate assume policy and programme, technical, and administrative responsibilities of the EU-funded programmes

  • Coordinating transition activities specific to the EU-funded agriculture programmes with MAIL and other donors,

  • Assuring the regularity of all the transition programme in MAIL, and

  • Advising the EU Delegation on specific technical matters related to structuring their budget support post-transition.

The structure and functioning of project management unit which will be in a position to assume the above-mentioned responsibilities should be proposed as an introduction to the expertise mobilized. This structure illustrated by an organigramme will take into consideration i) the external staff related to the five EU-funded agricultural programmes expected to be absorbed by the Project and than progressively transitioned to the MAIL Taskheel and ii) the expected need for National and International Technical Assistance. While the overall requirement for national and international expertise is left to the appreciation of the contractor, the following expertises is considered by the contracting authority and the Beneficiary (MAIL) as essential.

The objective of this transition project is to transfer organizational and individual functional capacity from externally funded programmes to the MAIL formal organizational structure. To accomplish this requires close coordination with a wide range of stakeholders, internal to MAIL’s technical and administrative structures (e.g., Human Resources, Finance) and other international donors supporting MAIL’s transition efforts. The project will focus on supporting the transition process of integrating the five EU-funded programmes into MAIL’s institutional organization, specifically:

  • Assisting MAIL’s Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs Directorate assume policy and programme, technical, and administrative responsibilities of the EU-funded programmes

  • Coordinating transition activities specific to the EU-funded agriculture programmes with MAIL and other donors,

  • Assuring the regularity of all the transition programme in MAIL, and

  • Advising the EU Delegation on specific technical matters related to structuring their budget support post-transition.

The structure and functioning of project management unit which will be in a position to assume the above-mentioned responsibilities should be proposed as an introduction to the expertise mobilized. This structure illustrated by an organigramme will take into consideration i) the external staff related to the five EU-funded agricultural programmes expected to be absorbed by the Project and than progressively transitioned to the MAIL Taskheel and ii) the expected need for National and International Technical Assistance. While the overall requirement for national and international expertise is left to the appreciation of the contractor, the following expertises is considered by the contracting authority and the Beneficiary (MAIL) as essential.

The Planting Material and Seed Certification expert will be responsible for facilitating the operational transition as per MAIL reform of the EU-funded seed certification component (related to the AVSID project) and will create synergies with the EU-funded Planting Material certification component (related to the PDHP project). The expert will also provide support to MAIL for the strengthening of the MAIL Seed Certification entity and develop a proper Public/Private Partnership to improve the quality of Planting Material and seed sold on the market for the Afghan farmers.

Qualifications: 

Qualifications and skills

The expert will be a Planting Material and Seed Certification specialist with a degree in seed technology, horticulture, Plant Production & Protection or related field of agriculture.

The expert should be fluent in English (written and spoken).

General professional experience

At least 10 years working experience with a minimum of 5 years in the field of seed technology, horticulture, Plant Production & Protection in at least 3 different developing countries, with at least one experience in Fragile States. This should include at least 3 years general experience in Planting Material and Seed Certification.

Specific professional experience

The expert should have:

  • At least 5 years significant experience in seed industry and/or horticulture development agro-businesses and privatisation projects in arid or semi-arid developing countries;
  • At least 2 experiences in the field of seed certification and/or Planting Material certification;
  • Experience of leading a team at least during two years on a project;
  • He/she should demonstrate excellent communication and facilitation skills, with highly desirable (above working experience with extensive training / components), as well as training, capacity building and interpersonal skills including diplomacy, tact, and the ability to negotiate and build consensus;
  • Experience in Afghanistan or Central-Asia countries would be an advantage;
  • Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashtu would be an advantage.
Start / Duration: 

The intended start date is 1 November 2013 and the period of implementation of the contract will be 36 months from this date.

If you are interested to cooperte with AFC in this tender, please send you most recent CV to:

Barbara.Braun [at] afci.de

Thank you