GRM International is seeking short-term position as Horticultural Specialist to assist the Deputy Minister, Technical Affairs Office and Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL. The contract will be for 2-3 months.
The key responsibilities include:
- Review all existing legal, regulatory and procedural documents related to plant production and protection within the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and related ministries (Ministry of Commerce)
- Identify existing weaknesses within the current horticultural legal and regulatory framework.
- Organize stakeholder meetings to determine important legal, regulatory and procedural issues to be covered in context of new functions and structures
- Interact with all plant related directories and departments to understand the future functions of each entity.
- Revise and / or formulate draft laws and regulations covering plant-production and plant-protection including, but not limited to, the following six aspects:
- Issues related to existing and required laws and regulations for the legalization /authorization of Commercialization / Privatization of government owned horticultural gardens and the seed industry; including the foundation and/or expansion of public-private-partnership (PPP) principles.
- Issues related to existing and required laws and regulations pertinent to export-oriented horticulture industry in Afghanistan.
- Issues related to existing and required laws and regulations that promulgate the rehabilitation of existing orchards/vineyards that help regain lost local and global markets.
- Issues related to existing and required laws and regulations that embrace the essence of organic farming pertinent to environmentally sustainable fruits like cherry, apple, peach, nut-trees, grapes/raisins, olive, pomegranate, vegetables, plants, flowers, and other plants production, processing and marketing for public and private consumption.
- Issues related to existing and required laws and regulations for the legalization of the selection and certification of seeds varieties in Afghanistan based on horticultural law.
- Organize stakeholder meetings for presentation of the draft Legal and regulatory frameworks to obtain buy-in and endorsements; and,
- Organize presentations to MAIL senior management and relevant technical directorates and departments within the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).
To succeed in this role you will have:
- Have a university degree in horticulture, plant production and protection; or in a related field;
- 10-15 years experience in the plant production and protection fields including both public sector and private sector responsibilities and provision of services and inputs; value chain development and the associated requirements;
- Extensive experience in identifying key plant production and protection issues to be covered by the legal and regulatory framework that will facilitate the implementation of sub-sector programmes for plant production and plant protection.
- Ability to work under pressure including working in a conflict/post conflict area
- Ability to work as member of a team and interact with other programmes and projects
- Working experience in Afghanistan
- Knowledge of the Afghanistan Agriculture sector and particularly plant/horticultural production
- Ability to speak/understand Farsi/Pashto
How to apply:
If you have what it takes to make a difference, please email your CV to Shanawaz.Abdulrehman@grminternational.comstating ‘Horticultural Specialist– EU - Kabul’ in the subject line.
Deadline for applications: Close of Business 8th October 2012, Monday
