ACBAR

Roots of Peace is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to rid the world of landmines and other remnants of war by transforming toxic minefields into thriving farmland and communities, through a focus on sustainable, organic farming practices. Roots of Peace is implementing UNDP-funded Afghanistan Community Resilience Program (ACRP).

Roots of Peace does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary objective of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise in the design, assessment, and optimization of cold storage facilities tailored to Afghanistan’s agricultural value chains. The consultant will support ACRP in developing efficient, climate-appropriate, and cost-effective cold storage solutions to reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality and marketability.

STRATEGIC ROLES:

The Cold Storage Design Engineer Consultant will work closely with MSME, Agriculture, and M&E teams to ensure that cold storage interventions are technically sound, economically viable, and aligned with project objectives and timelines.  

Tasks to Support Role:

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Proposal Review and Technical Due Diligence
  • Review MSME grant applications related to cold storage investments.
  • Assess technical feasibility, appropriateness of proposed solutions, and alignment with market needs.
  • Provide recommendations for design improvement, cost optimization, and risk mitigation.
• Technical Assessment and Planning
  • Conduct assessments of proposed sites, including location suitability, energy availability, and infrastructure readiness.
  • Evaluate cold storage requirements based on commodity type (e.g., fresh fruits, vegetables, dried fruits), storage duration, and market demand.
• Design and Engineering
  • Develop or validate detailed cold storage designs, including:
    • Capacity planning (metric tons and volume)
    • Facility layout (storage chambers, handling areas, loading/unloading zones)
    • Refrigeration systems (compressors, condensers, evaporators)
    • Insulation systems (PU panels, flooring, wall and roof specifications)
  • Ensure designs are energy-efficient, climate-appropriate, and operationally sustainable.
• Costing and Procurement Support
  • Prepare and/or review Bills of Quantities (BOQs) and detailed cost estimates.
  • Develop technical specifications for equipment and materials.
  • Provide guidance on vendor selection and procurement processes to ensure quality and value for money.
• Implementation Oversight
  • Provide technical oversight during installation and construction.
  • Support commissioning of cold storage facilities, including system testing and troubleshooting.
  • Ensure compliance with approved designs, safety standards, and quality benchmarks.
• Capacity Building and Coordination
  • Develop operation and maintenance (O&M) guidelines tailored to MSME operators.
  • Deliver training sessions to MSMEs and field staff on cold storage operations, maintenance, and best practices.
  • Coordinate with MSMEs, contractors, suppliers, and project teams to ensure smooth implementation.
• Sustainability and Climate Considerations
  • Integrate climate resilience and environmentally sustainable practices into design and implementation.
  • Promote energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy options where feasible.
• Technical Support and Reporting
  • Provide ongoing on-site and remote technical support throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Ensure all activities are delivered in line with agreed timelines and project plans.
  • Any other relevant task assigned by the Team Leader

DELIVERABLES:

The consultant will deliver the following outputs:

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

1. Technical assessment reports for each MSME grantee, including gaps and recommendations.
2. Reviewed and/or developed detailed cold storage designs and layout drawings.
3. Refrigeration system designs and insulation specifications.
4. Bills of Quantities (BOQs) and cost estimates.
5. Technical specifications for procurement of equipment and materials.
6. Installation and commissioning guidelines.
7. Operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals for MSME operators.
8. Training materials and delivery of capacity-building sessions.
9. Final comprehensive report summarizing activities, findings, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Level of Effort and Payment Modality

The assignment is deliverable-based and does not constitute a full-time or continuous engagement. The consultant will be contracted on a task-based arrangement, and payment will be made upon satisfactory completion and approval of specific deliverables, as outlined in the TOR.

No monthly salary or retainer will be provided. The level of effort will vary depending on the number of days and scope of MSME grants and associated cold storage activities. The consultant is expected to plan and manage their time accordingly to meet agreed timelines.

EDUCATION:

1. Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Refrigeration Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
2. Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in cold storage design, refrigeration systems, or HVAC systems.
3. Proven experience in designing cold storage facilities for agricultural products.
4. Strong knowledge of refrigeration cycles, cooling load calculations, and insulation systems.
5. Experience with design tools such as AutoCAD and other relevant engineering software.
6. Familiarity with energy-efficient and climate-smart cooling technologies.
7. Fluency in English; knowledge of Dari or Pashto is desirable.
8. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex agricultural environments and develop innovative solutions.
9. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

1. Demonstrated experience in cold storage or refrigeration system design and implementation.
2. Experience in agro-processing, post-harvest management, or food storage systems.
3. Experience working in developing countries or similar environments is an advantage.
4. Proven ability to design systems suitable for high-temperature climates.
5. Experience in supervising installation and commissioning of cold storage facilities.

SKILLS:

6. Strong technical and analytical skills in refrigeration and cold chain systems.
7. Ability to develop practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
8. Strong coordination and communication skills with diverse stakeholders.
9. Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
10. Excellent report writing and documentation skills.
11. Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
12. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and engineering software.
13. Ability to train and build capacity of field teams and MSMEs.

Important Note: Applicants should copy and paste the relevant Vacancy Announcement Number, Position Title, and Province Name (mentioned below) into the email subject line when submitting their application. Please do not add any other information in the subject line of your email except the Position title, Vacancy Number, and province name. Applications received without a VA Number will not be considered. 

1. Cold Storage Design Engineer Consultant (AFN-1384) 

Roots of Peace is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Roots of Peace does not want to disrupt government functionings and therefore cannot hire government staff.

CBARD-HR@rootsofpeace.org