ACBAR

The Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization (ASIO) is a non-governmental and non-profit organization established in 2010. Registered with the Ministry of Commerce under registration number 1579, ASIO operates as a domestic NGO. Committed to compliance with Afghanistan’s government laws, rules, and regulations, ASIO also adheres to donor guidelines and regulations.

ASIO considers itself accountable to the government of Afghanistan, partnering agencies, and the communities it serves. Our mission is to provide developmental and humanitarian services to those in need, regardless of their race, political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, or any other dependency.

Our Objectives:

• Creating a Productive Work Environment: ASIO aims to foster a highly productive work environment and professional relations. We encourage open and honest communication among our employees.
• Employee Growth and Capacity Building: We provide opportunities for growth through in-house trainings, workshops, and exposure to other agencies and organizations. By enriching their capacity and skills, our employees actively contribute to the development of education systems, agricultural productivity, livestock production, vocational training, and construction projects.
• Standard Quality Services: ASIO is dedicated to improving the livelihoods of the needy people in our country. We strive to provide standard quality services that positively impact their lives.

Gender-Inclusive Policies: ASIO has established a set of policies to guide employees in creating a suitable work environment for all genders.

Areas of Expertise: ASIO is renowned for its expertise in implementing livelihood programs, agricultural development, animal husbandry healthcare, skill improvement training for internally displaced persons (IDPs), education projects, and construction initiatives. Our team of experts plays a crucial role in achieving our organizational goals.

Join ASIO and be part of a dynamic team committed to make a difference in the lives of Afghan communities.

Job Summary:

The Value Chain Specialist is responsible for analyzing, developing, and strengthening agricultural and livestock value chains to improve market access, profitability, and sustainability for smallholder farmers and pastoralists. The role focuses on identifying market opportunities, facilitating linkages between value chain actors, and implementing interventions that enhance productivity, processing, and market competitiveness of agricultural and livestock products.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Value Chain Analysis & Development

• Conduct value chain assessments for target commodities (wheat crops, poultry, kitchen gardening, etc.)
• Identify constraints and opportunities in production, aggregation, processing, and marketing
• Develop and implement value chain upgrading strategies to improve efficiency and profitability
• Map and engage with key value chain actors (farmers, traders, processors, retailers, financial institutions)

2. Market Linkages & Enterprise Development

• Facilitate market linkages between producers and buyers/processors
• Support formation and strengthening of producer groups, cooperatives, and agro-enterprises
• Promote contract farming arrangements and fair trade practices
• Identify and develop business opportunities for value addition (e.g., milk processing, feed production)

3. Capacity Building & Technical Support

• Organize trainings on post-harvest handling, quality standards, and market requirements
• Provide technical assistance to agri-businesses and livestock enterprises
• Facilitate access to financial services, inputs, and technology for value chain actors
• Promote adoption of climate-smart and sustainable production practices

4. Monitoring & Reporting

• Track value chain performance indicators (prices, margins, volumes, etc.)
• Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned
• Prepare progress reports on value chain interventions
• Contribute to project monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities

5. Partnership & Coordination

• Liaise with private sector actors, line department, and NGOs working in the value chains
• Represent the project in relevant forums and working groups
• Collaborate with research institutions on innovative solutions

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or related field
• Minimum 5 years experience in agriculture/livestock value chain development
• Proven experience in market systems development, agribusiness support, or rural finance
• Familiarity with agricultural markets, trade policies, and food systems

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of value chain analysis methodologies
• Knowledge of agricultural/livestock market dynamics and trends
• Experience with business development services for smallholder farmers
• Proficiency in data analysis and report writing
• Computer skills (MS Office, statistical software is a plus)

Work Environment:

• 60% field-based work with travel to production areas and markets
• 40% office-based for planning, analysis, and reporting
• May require flexible hours to meet with market actors

Performance Metrics:

• Number of functional market linkages established
• Increase in farmer incomes and value chain efficiency
• Quality and timeliness of reports and deliverables
• Level of private sector engagement and investment leveraged

Benefits & Compensation:

• Competitive salary with field allowances
• Professional development opportunities
• Health insurance coverage
• Transport and communication support

Organizational Responsibilities: 

Notice to Applicants: Please be aware that as part of our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of professional conduct, all candidates applying for a position with our organization will be subject to comprehensive background and reference checks. This is to verify the accuracy of the information provided and assess suitability for the role. In addition, we place a strong emphasis on ethical behavior and integrity in our work environment. As such, adherence to our code of conduct forms an integral part of our annual performance appraisal process. We encourage all prospective applicants to bear this in mind when applying.

Policy Adherence

Adhere to the Code of Conduct, all applicable policies of the ASIO, maintain humanitarian principles and respect international humanitarian law.

Fraud prevention:

Committed to fraud prevention, detection, reporting and fraud risk reduction as per ASIO policies and procedures, donor regulations and local laws.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA):

The Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization (ASIO) strictly prohibits any form of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by its staff towards the individuals they serve. Such actions are in direct violation of the universally recognized norms, values, principles, and standards that form the foundation of our organization. The responsibility of safeguarding against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) lies with everyone, and all potential candidates must adhere to ASIO’s PSEA Policy without exception. Consequently, candidates under consideration will be subjected to thorough reference and background checks concerning any past incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse. They may also be asked to furnish additional information as part of the selection process. 

Compliance & Ethics:

Promotes and encourages a culture of compliance and ethics throughout and within Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization “ASIO”. As applicable to the position, maintains a clear understanding of within Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization “ASIO” and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards.  Conducts tasks with the highest level of integrity. 

Safeguarding:

It is all staff’s shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. We must ensure that our staff and partners do not engage in any conduct that could harm or exploit these individuals. This includes sexual exploitation and abuse, neglect or abuse of children and adults at risk, and any form of human trafficking.

The interested applicants should submit their Curriculum vitaes (CVs) via (vacancy@asio.org.af) noting the position title & vacancy number in the subject line i.e. “Value Chain Specialist- BGL-0019” Otherwise applications will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for the written test and/or interview. If you are not contacted two or three weeks after the closing date, please know that your application has not been eligible for the position. 

Note: Please do not attach a separate cover letter, educational diplomas, or experience letters.

Dear Applicant,

Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization never asks job applicants for a fee, payment, or other monetary transaction. If you are asked for money in connection with this recruitment, please report to Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization “ASIO: at the email address hotline@asio.org.af . 

Please note that:

• ASIO commits to a fair and transparent recruitment procedure.
• ASIO will conduct his recruitment on the base of need only.
• Only HR department will contact you during the recruitment process.
• ASIO has the option to retain your application information in its candidate database and may suggest alternative positions that align with your qualifications, in addition to the one you originally applied for.
• Only short-listed candidates whose application responds to the criteria will be contacted & applicants from the same province are encouraged to apply and will be given priority.

Equal Opportunities:

Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization “ASIO” is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran

Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

All offers of employment at Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization are subject to satisfactory references and background checks. Afghanistan Social Improvement Organization participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme from the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR). In accordance with this, we will request information from an applicant’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

vacancy@asio.org.af