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.

Position Summary:

The Senior Security Specialist will support promotion of AMP’s activities and achievements by ensuring the safety of our team in Kabul and the 12 provinces we work in. S/he will be required to travel frequently throughout Afghanistan, to AMP’s 12 target provinces. S/he will report directly to the Security Director (SD) but will coordinate closely with personnel throughout the organization. S/he must be comfortable communicating and coordinating with the new government of Afghanistan.

Specific Tasks:

1. Develop and implement security policies, protocols, and procedures for RoP Afghan as it relates to all AMP operations in Kabul and field offices – this includes expats and Afghan staff.
2. Train Security Officers, Guards and Drivers for all operations within the country.
3. Train all AMP staff on the processes and procedures when responding to emergencies and alarms.
4. Responsible to assist SD on all reports of incidents and breaches and follow-up actions relating to such incidents. This includes all security related operational and administrative matters for all RoP staff, sub-contractors, and expats.
5. Collecting and analyzing the intel reports from different source and inform AMP team.
6. Investigate and resolve all security related issues for all AMP offices throughout the country.
7. Assess program areas, office, and residential areas relative to their impact on staff safety and security and recommend specific protocols and practices to reduce staff risk and vulnerability.
8. Ensure that all staff is familiar with the security policies and procedures content and agree to abide by it.
9. Continuously strengthen and apply office and residential facilities security standards and ensure enforcement of facility access procedures/practices for all regioanl offices.
10. Provide security awareness for all national and expatriate staff 24/7.
11. Assessment of hospitals, hotels, and restaurants in all operational areas throughout the country and prepare list of acceptable hospitals, accommodation and restaurants for ROP staff, visitors, and consultants.
12. Regularly review and recommend as well as take actions with regards to security measures already in place at the offices and guesthouse.
13. Recommend procedures and oversight for all upgrades to systems and processes to include travel and building/offices.
14. Ensure vehicle and staff movements are monitored according to procedures.
15. Reports matters pertaining to major security incidents in program areas and other locations in Afghanistan to all relevant staff.
16. Regularly monitor local and international media related to security issues and bring relevant issues to organization's attention.
17. Liaison with other NG0s, USAID, Government Ministries, UN agencies, INSO and other stakeholders in relation to security management and implementation, and report back on knowledge gained from related meetings.
18. Ensure that that evacuation and crisis management plans are in place and regularly updated.
19. Ensure communication equipment is well maintained, functional and usable at all times.
20. Serve as a key resource in times of emergencies, such as natural or man-made disasters.
21. Assist with and oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of security and documentation procedures for all RoP/AMP offices throughout the country.
22. Provide observation security and force protection support.
23. Respond and report alarms, suspicious activities and violators in accordance with established procedures and policy.
24. Assist in establishing, updating, and maintaining force protection standard operations procedures.
25. Prepare, publish and post daily duty scheduling and ensure duty logs are correctly completed.
26. Ensure the adherence of security instructions and procedures as outlined.
27. Remain vigilant and ensures to take all reasonable measures to protect life, property and reports all information in a timely manner. Reports any loss, damage or destruction of ROP property.
28. Maintain alert notation and recall rosters.
29. Ensure strict compliance to safety practices and support the ROP Safety Policies and Procedures.
30. Instill a safety rest mentality within respective work areas and a culture that achieves low accident rates and minimal lost-time injuries.
31. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to send their Applications with clearly mentioning the job title and duty station of the vacancy in the subject line. Please send your Cover Letter and CV into one combined file. Applicantions without mentiong the duty station in the subject line will not be considered.