Agriculture & Livelihood Assistant

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of agricultural activities under the SAMS component, including registration of farmers, distribution of certified wheat seed, DAP, and Urea, and post‑distribution follow‑
• Assist with field mobilization and beneficiary selection for livelihoods and vocational training activities (SLO & SSVC), such as poultry production, goat rearing, tailoring, and dairy processing.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor progress of agricultural activities, livestock interventions, and livelihood trainings, ensuring alignment with project workplans and technical guidance.
• Support technical trainers and project staff in facilitating practical training sessions on crop production, livestock care, dairy processing, tailoring, and small business skills.
• Provide one‑on‑one coaching to beneficiaries, especially women, to reinforce skills learned during trainings and support adoption of improved practices.
• Maintain accurate beneficiary lists, attendance sheets, distribution records, and training documentation.
• Conduct basic field assessments related to crop performance, livestock conditions, small enterprise progress, and other livelihood indicators.
• Support the organization and safe execution of distribution events for livestock inputs, training kits, agricultural tools, and other materials.
• Ensure timely communication with beneficiaries regarding training schedules, distribution dates, and follow‑up visits.
• Coordinate closely with community leaders, CDCs, and CBPP committees to ensure community participation and ownership of project activities.
• Collect success stories, feedback, and field observations to inform reporting and adaptive management.
• Identify and immediately report challenges, risks, and potential delays in field implementation to the Project Manager.
• Support the MEL team with baseline, monitoring, and endline data collection activities.
• Promote gender inclusion, safeguarding, Do No Harm, and accountability standards during all interactions with beneficiaries.
• Ensure safe, respectful, and culturally sensitive communication with communities and participants.
• Follow all Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and supervisor guidance.
• Other duties as assigned by the Project Manager.

 

Project Coordination and Management

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting and documentation in coordination with the Project Manager, and other team members.

Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps in community meetings and stakeholder engagements within the project areas.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility: NA

 

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager

Works Directly With: Project Engineer, Site Engineer, Site Supervisors, Livelihoods & Agriculture Staff, Community Engagement Officers, CARM, MEL, Procurement, Finance, and WFP/TPM counterparts.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Agriculture, Agronomy, Animal Science, Rural Development, or related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in agriculture or livelihood projects, preferably with NGOs or community‑based programs.
• Experience working with smallholder farmers, women’s livelihood groups, or vocational training activities such as poultry, goat rearing, tailoring, or dairy processing.
• Basic knowledge of crop production, irrigation practices, livestock care, and climate‑resilient farming techniques.
• Experience engaging with rural communities, local authorities, and community groups.
• Ability to keep accurate field records, manage attendance lists, and maintain complete documentation.
• Strong communication, mobilization, and interpersonal skills.
• Good understanding of gender dynamics and ability to support women’s participation in livelihood activities.
• Basic knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel) and mobile data collection tools is an advantage.
• Fluency in Dari required; Pashto and basic English are assets.
• Ability to travel daily to remote areas and work in challenging field environments.
• Honest, reliable, and committed to Mercy Corps’ values, safeguarding, and accountability principles.