Afghanistan: Sr. International Agrochemicals cum Plant Protection Specialist/Advisor

Project Background:
Building on the Agriculture Master Plan, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoA) in collaboration with its development partners has defined a number of appropriate priorities for agricultural investments and policies under the National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF). In order to increase farmers’ incomes and improve the food security situation, the GoA is giving foremost attention to strengthening of the agricultural production base. In this respect, the government has asked the World Bank for assistance in strengthening agricultural input supply Systems. Specifically, the GoA has requested the World Bank for assistance in the preparation of the Afghanistan Agriculture Inputs Project (AAIP) that will consist of the following four components: (i) Improve seed production and certification; (ii) Establish infrastructure and policies regarding quality control and safe use of fertilizers and agrochemicals; (iii) Improve input delivery systems; and (iv) Establish efficient project management, implementation and coordination mechanisms.
The development objective of AAIP project is strengthened institutional capacity for safety and reliability of agricultural inputs and sustainable production of certified wheat seed
Under the supervision of the AAIP Project Director, the Sr. Agrochemical cun Plant protection Advisor/specialist will provide technical advice, management support and technical inputs required to allow the AAIP to achieve its objective of building the infrastructures (Labs, diagnostic methods of plant pests and diseases for PPQD that can provide services in an efficient and timely manners to all related issues that it needs to implement quality control of Agrochemicals (Pesticide & fertilizers).
The successful applicant will be expected to work with his/her Afghan national counterparts, and to progressively transfer skills and responsibilities to them.

Job Summary:
The Agrochemical cum Plant Protection Advisor/Consultant will assist the Project Director and Plant Protection Section of AAIP in support of smooth implementation of activities under Component-B (Agrochemical & Plant Quarantine Network), and in strengthening of the Plant Protection & Quarantine Directorate (PPQD)/MAIL
Key Responsibilities of Sr. International Agrochemicals cum Plant Protection Specialist/Advisor:
• Assist the Project Director in smooth implementation of activities under component-B (Agrochemicals and Plant Quarantine Network) that aims at strengthening of related directorates of MAIL,
• Ensure overall planning, implementation, coordination, quality assurance of all planned activities under component-B.
• Provide advisory services to the Directors of PPQD in properly executing the tasks defined under component B of AAIP,
• Improve the utilization of proposed lab equipments for pesticides (formulation analysis, quality control and residue), fertilizers quality control and plant pests and diseases diagnostic Labs.
• Assist the International pesticide analysis specialist, fertilizer analysis specialists (Int’l) and international training specialists in proper installation of lab equipments in labs and providing proper training material for officers and farmers.
• Work together with International and National Plant Pests and Diseases Specialists for proper design and implementation of national plant pests and diseases survey.
• Help the international Plant Quarantine Specialist to make a proper list of plant pests and diseases for Afghanistan.
• Assist and transfer knowledge to his/her Afghan counterparts to be able to work properly in his/her absence for the component.
• Assist the M&E of PMU in proper monitoring of the technical progress and performance of the planned activities under PPQD.
• Ensure the proper implementation of Pesticides Act and Regulations for pesticides registration and quality control, and Plant Quarantine Act and Regulations to comply with the IPPC, SPS and WTO obligations.
• Identify the loopholes and deviations in planned activities and suggest necessary remedial measures.
• Assist the PMU in component B related technical aspects of report preparation.
• Any other tasks as delegated or desired by the Project Director.

Required Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Basic degree in Agriculture/Plant Protection with advance degree (Masters and PhD) in Plant Protection/Entomology/Plant Pathology
• Specialization in Agrochemicals (Pesticides) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)/Plant Protection.
• Minimum of 20 years’ experience in plant protection research having knowledge of agrochemicals, pesticides act and regulations and plant protection act and regulations.
• Have extensive knowledge in International Plant Protection Conventions (IPPC), Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPSs), International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs)
• Having experience of preparing Plant Quarantine Act and Regulations, Pesticides Act and pesticides Regulations.
• Having good experience in selection and operation of those equipment, which are needed for pesticides analysis, fertilizer analysis and plant pests & diseases diagnostic laboratories.
Experience of working in Afghanistan will be an advantage

How to apply:

Submission Guidelines: Send CV and Cover letter to AAIP, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Our Address is: Behind Rahman Baba Lycee, Dehbori, Kabul, Afghanistan or send us your CVs in soft to: vacancies.aaip@mail.gov.af Note: No resume will be taken under consideration without having a cover letter, the position title and vacancy number in the subject line of the email. Only selected candidates will be called for interviews The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) is an equal opportunity employer which encourages male and female candidates to apply for vacant positions.