Job Detail

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 the 3-year, USAID-funded Agriculture Marketing Program.

AMP Project Description:

The Agriculture Marketing Program (AMP) is a three-year USAID-funded program that follows on the successes of the ten-year USAID Commercial Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Program (CHAMP). The program works in 12 provinces of Afghanistan, focusing on increasing farm production and domestic sales through interventions aimed at farmers and agribusinesses. During the first two years of the program, AMP worked with leading Afghan processing and export firms to increase export volumes and values, introduce new agricultural products to the market, diversify export markets and increase value-added processing. The program's market-based, demand-driven approach focused on supporting private sector growth and sustainability, thereby creating demand for agricultural products that drive job growth in rural areas. Women are incorporated into all areas of program implementation.

In its final fiscal year of implementation, AMP has pivoted to an approach that addresses food security challenges precipitated by the emerging economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. This approach comprises three key strategies:

1. Connecting Farmers to Domestic Markets
2. Increasing Value-Add of Agriculture Products, Extending Shelf Life of Products
3. Support for Remote Rural Areas

Activities include:

• Increasing farm productivity and food security through Farmer Field Schools and other activities aimed at building farm capacity.
• Expanding the number of agricultural products through value addition and product diversification, such as processed jams and sulfur dried apricots.
• Linking farmers with traders, and traders with buyers in domestic markets, such as through domestic food expos and B2B meetings.
• Building the capacity of agribusinesses to maximize output and quality for domestic markets.
• Supporting initiatives such as improved post-harvest handling infrastructure for traders, including packing houses, cold storage, and improved packaging.
• Addressing important supply chain and trade impediments that restrict the sale of high value agriculture products.

AMP works primarily with private sector agribusinesses, farm producers and other USAID-funded agricultural programs. Specific attention is given to support the participation of women and youth in AMP activities.

Roots of Peace is a humanitarian organization that has worked in war-torn countries around the world with our partners to remove the remnants of war, landmines and unexploded ordinance, and restore the land in order to rebuild peaceful communities for generations to come. For the past twenty years, the Roots of Peace award-winning “Mines to Vines” approach has impacted one million farmers and families, enabling the exports worth over $150 million to international markets. Since beginning our work in Afghanistan in 2003, Roots of Peace has worked with agricultural value chains in every province of the country resulting in 100,000 tons of exports, creating over 9,000 full-time agribusiness jobs that benefited more than 38,000 families from these value chain approaches. From farmers to exporters, Roots of Peace develops entire agricultural value chains by implementing the ROP Development Model which is designed to serve as a catalyst to generate much broader impact industry-wide - improving incomes for smallholder farmers, bringing peace to rural communities, transforming national industries.

• Prepare a calendar of annual trade shows for Afghan exporters to participate in, with justification for selection. The calendar may include international trade shows and national or regional agricultural trade shows in key markets.
• Arrange and facilitate linkage meetings, between Afghan exporters and potential international buyers, distributors, and partners.
• Arrange and facilitate market visits with Afghan exporters to strengthen their understanding of market requirements.
• In coordination with the Supply Chain Specialist, develop and maintain a comprehensive sales database that tracks product origin, sales value and volume, and destination. Supervise data collection among Afghan exporters and share with Project Leadership and M&E as required.
• Prepare event reports which will include information on participants, activities undertaken leading up to and during the show, deals undertaken, support provided by CBARD, CBARD personnel participation and roles, etc.
• Foster networking opportunities to strengthen business connections.
• Conduct comprehensive market analysis to identify potential export markets for Afghan fresh and dried fruits.
• Stay informed about international market trends, demand dynamics, and competitor activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with international buyers, distributors, and Afghan lead export firms.
• Coordinate closely with government and private sector organizations (including MAIL private sector directorate, and ACCI) and other donor-funded programs in the organization and implementation of trade shows.
• Develop and implement effective strategies to promote Afghan fruits in the international market.
• Work closely with the Agribusiness and production team to align export strategies with project goals and objectives. Coordinate with Gender Specialists to ensure gender considerations are identified and addressed.
• Stay abreast of international trade regulations and ensure compliance in all export activities.
• Assist traders and lead farmers in meeting quality standards and certification requirements for target markets.
• Provide training and capacity-building programs for export firms and lead farmers to enhance their understanding of international trade practices.
• Offer guidance on packaging, labeling, and quality control measures to meet international standards.
• Identify and address barriers to market access for Afghan fruit exports.
• Assist traders in drafting and finalizing contracts that protect the interests of all parties involved.
• Administrative Tasks
• Prepare inputs (text and photos) for CBARD monthly and quarterly reports.
• Provide data and information to the CBARD M&E personnel, as required.
• Any other tasks of a similar nature as requested by the Supervisor.