Market Linkage Officer (MLO)

NOVE Onlus is an independent non-profit organisation founded in Italy in 2012. It helps people to build a better future and is engaged with sustainable and generative socio-economic development, vocational training, access to employment, micro-entrepreneurship and basic education. NOVE also works in humanitarian emergency contexts, and it is focused on supporting women, children and disabled people.

Project background:

The “Bread for Women” initiative by NOVE aims to reduce food insecurity among vulnerable women in Kabul and provide livelihood opportunities by rehabilitating existing women-run bakeries in Kabul’s districts n. 02, 06, 12 and 13. These districts were selected based on high levels of vulnerability, low household income, and limited access to sustainable livelihood opportunities. The selection aims to prioritize communities facing greatest socio-economic challenges, ensuring that support and interventions would reach the most disadvantaged and at-risk families. 

NOVE is seeking two experienced and dynamic Market Linkage Officers (MLOs) to precisely address the project’s post-distribution process and contribute to reinforce and maintain its sustainability once NOVE will phase out. 

The MLO is a key player to strengthen NOVE’s selected women-run bakeries in terms of 1) Market Positioning in the medium term, 2) Product Development, 3) Marketing and Promotion while enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting business growth. 

The ideal candidates (1 male, 1 female) will lead strategies that expand market access, improve productivity, and boost overall profitability. The 2 MLOs will support the bakers in all tasks as listed under “Key Job Responsibilities” in the 4 districts, in order to enhance their expansion at the local market. The MLOs will also be required to identify eligible and potential dealers in nearby districts. These neighboring districts should be within a maximus radius of 5 km, allowing the women bakers to deliver their products easily and efficiently.

The MLO is expected to deliver on the following: 

●       Assess the number of customers per bakeries prior to the beginning of his/her commitment and ensure that these clients will not be lost until project end.

●       Develop and maintain strategic market linkages for bakery products.

●       Improve business productivity, operational efficiency, and profitability providing insights for strategic planning and business decisions by analyzing sales data, customer feedback, production capacity, and market trends.

●       Support product development, branding, and competitiveness.

●       Strengthen relationships between the bakery, suppliers, distributors, retailers, and institutional buyers.

●       Facilitate links with Chambers of Commerce, Small-Medium-Enterprises associations and other bodies in order to have easier access to credit, working permits, and other necessary bureaucratic admin services. 

Training and Capacity Building:

Conduct vocational training using visual and oral learning methods to strengthen the capacity of women bakers in key business and market-related areas. The training will focus on developing market linkages, improving business productivity and operational efficiency, enhancing product branding and packaging, introducing basic digital marketing tools, supporting the development of promotional materials, and building an understanding of consumer behavior and market demand. The approach will be practical and inclusive, ensuring the content is accessible and applicable to the women bakers’ daily business activities.

The MLO is requested to develop a training plan along the above subjects and adjusted to each of the baker’s needs within the first 10 days of engagement. The tailored training plans need to be approved by NOVE. The plan will also include on-site visits, phone calls and regular follow-ups. The MLO will also train 1 male & 2 female assistants in each bakery.

Additionally, the training sessions will be structured as follows:

●       Short, focused sessions, to be agreed with the bakers.

●       Flexible timing outside peak baking hours

Training indicators:

●       % of women bakers and their male & female assistants completing both theory and practical components. Target: 6 bakers + 18 assistants (12 females, 6 males).

●       Number of exposure visits conducted to bakeries or cookie factories per baker. Target: 2/bakery

●       % participants who report improved knowledge. Target:  6 bakers + 18 assistants (12 females, 6 males). 

Job Key Responsibilities:

1. Market Linkage, Customer Expansion, Income & Pricing

Indicators

●       Number of women bakers supported by MLOs on market identification and pricing. Target: 6 bakers to be accompanied evenly by both MLO.

●       Number of regular customers acquired by each baker through the MLO service within 4 months Target: 10 customers per baker.

●       Number of market connections established for each baker with schools / Madrasas, shops or supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, hotels communities or institutional buyers. Target: 20 new contacts per baker.

●       The number of bakers reporting improved confidence in negotiating prices (baseline vs. end line). Target: 6 bakeries.

●       % of bakers able to cover production costs consistently for 4 consecutive months. Target: 6 bakeries.

●       Number of bakers that have improved links with Chambers of Commerce, SME associations and other bodies/have easier access to credit, working permits, and other necessary bureaucratic admin services.

2. Production Capacity & Waste Reduction

Indicators

●       To increase in average daily or weekly production volume per baker

●       All 6 bakeries adopting improved production or storage practice

●       All 6 bakeries should standardize portion size or batch planning after market linkage initiatives.

3. Pricing

Indicators

●       100 % of bakers who revise pricing based on cost calculation training

4. Marketing, Branding & Promotion

Indicators

●       Number of bakeries participating in district-level promotional activities. Target: 6 bakeries.

●       Number of bakers using at least one new marketing method (word-of-mouth strategy, sample distribution, local shop placement). Target: 6 bakeries.

●       Increase of basic branding materials (signboard, logo sticker, product label). Target: 6 bakeries.

6. Market Awareness & Competitiveness

Indicators

●       Number of market assessments or price monitoring exercises conducted by MLOs. Target: 1/month per district.

Product Development & Quality improvement

• Support development and launch of a new variety of bakery products.

• Ensure compliance with food safety, packaging, and labeling standards.

• Improve product quality and shelf-life/ long lasting of bread based on market feedback.

Sustainable Development Plan

The MLOs will design and implement a proper plan and strategies to strengthen the bakery’s sustainability by expanding market linkages, increasing sales, and improving production efficiency through achieving the above set targets (indicators).

The MLOs will also reduce waste, promote responsible sourcing, and introduce energy-saving and quality-control practices.

The MLO will prepare and submit to NOVE for approval of the Sustainable Development Plan in his/her first month of engagement. At the end of his/her commitment, he/she will submit the updated plan with changes occurring.

Reporting & Data Management

• Prepare monthly sales and productivity reports for NOVE project team leads.

•Maintain market linkage databases and performance tracking systems at the basic level. Such as paper-based or very simple digital formats, including the following information:

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to recruitment@novecaringhumans.org with the subject line: "BfF-MLO Application"
Deadline for applications: 22 June 2026