POSITION OBJECTIVE
Project Manager Agriculture and Food Security [AFS] will be Located at Project Cluster implementation Office [PCIO] Kabul and will be responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and oversight of integrated agriculture and livelihood interventions under the CLDRM (ADB) project in 6 provinces of Herat, Kabul, Ghazni, Logar, Nuristan and Kunar. The incumbent reports to the Senior Manager Project Implementation, PCIO Kabul and will be directly involved in the project development, implementation and monitoring support to the 6 provinces.
The role ensures high-quality delivery of activities including Farmer Field Schools (FFS), greenhouse promotion, livestock and poultry support, beekeeping, orchard establishment, seed distribution, and dairy value chain strengthening.
The position aims to enhance productivity, food security, resilience, and income generation for targeted farming households through effective project management, technical guidance, and stakeholder engagement.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Leadership and Implementation
• Lead and oversee the implementation of the ADB-funded CLDRM project’s Agriculture and Food security interventions through Project Cluster Implementation Office [PCIO] in targeted 6 provinces of Kabul, Herat, Ghazni, Logar, Kunar and Nuristan. Ensure timely delivery of agriculture interventions such as:
Farmer Field Schools (FFS).
Capacity-building trainings.
Greenhouse establishment (different agro-ecological zones).
Livelihood asset distribution (poultry, goats/sheep, seeds, orchards, beekeeping, dairy).
• Provide strategic directions to ensure effective integration of Agriculture and Food security and Community-Led Disaster Risk Management approaches across all interventions.
• Work closely with NPO AFS sector, project partners, stakeholders, and communities to strengthen coordination, share experiences, and facilitate learning.
• Develop the Agriculture and food security team structure and program in PCIO Provinces.
• Develop ToR’s of provincial AFS staff and participate in recruitment process.
Team Management and Coordination
• Lead team performance management and coordination, ensuring effective collaboration and timely delivery of project activities in line with approved plans, strategies, and operational procedures.
• Support staff development through performance monitoring, coaching, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Develop YPO and technically support provincial teams in smooth implementation.
Policy and Strategic Management
• Develop multi-year strategic plan for the agriculture-based livelihood and food security enhancement for newly added 6 provinces. Review, update and improve the strategic plan on a regular basis.
• Build working relations with the relevant government departments such as the Ministry and provincial directorate of Economy, MAIL and other relevant ministries.
• Participate in relevant policy forums and working groups initiated by the government and civil society.
• Track the national and provincial policy processes that relate to community development and provide regular updates, analysis, and recommendations to National AFS sector.
• Work closely with partner organizations and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) agencies in the provinces on Community development related mandate and strategic plan.
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Coordinate with governmental stakeholders and community stakeholders in project area.
• Facilitate donors and other relevant stakeholders visit at provincial level.
• Maintain clear communication with all stakeholders regarding project progress.
• Facilitate reporting of achievements and coordinate field visits with stakeholders.
• Build strategic partnerships with local and international partners related to community development in emergency management in all 6 provinces.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor progress, support provincial and district teams, and engage with stakeholders and community members.
• Strengthen local capacity on improving agriculture production, Agri based livelihoods and Community based natural resource management and ensure community participation in planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Gender, Inclusion, and Safeguarding
• Ensure gender mainstreaming, diversity, and social inclusion are integrated across all project phases from recruitment to implementation and monitoring.
• Promote equitable participation of women, men, and vulnerable groups in Agriculture based livelihood activities.
• Ensure adherence to AKF-A’s Child Safeguarding Policy and maintain a safe environment for children and communities.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL)
• Work with the MERL team to ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation plans are in place, turn data into actionable insights to guide implementation, and disseminate results and learning.
• Ensure that technical indicators are well-defined and use monitoring data to inform decision-making and adjust project strategies as needed.
• Ensure capacity building and participation of the provincial teams in the articulation of the research needs based on the field realities in the agriculture-based livelihood and food security in respective provinces.
• Develop and maintain a responsive system for streamlining and documenting the innovations and best practices.
Planning, Reporting, and Compliance
• Develop tools and systems for monitoring project and partner performance against plans, budgets, contracts, and MoUs.
• Validate, consolidate, and submit high-quality narrative and financial reports in a timely manner.
• Ensure strict adherence to the ADB and AKF regulations, Compliances and procedures.
• Implement compliance measures to mitigate risks and ensure transparency.
Financial and Procurement Management
• Oversee project budget management in collaboration with the finance team, ensuring efficient and transparent use of resources.
• Monitor expenditure at national and provincial levels to ensure alignment with approved budgets.
• Prepare and implement procurement plans in line with donor and AKF-A policies and procedures.
Knowledge Sharing and Learning
• Organize workshops, learning events, and conferences to share best practices, innovations, and lessons learned.
• Contribute to the design and development of future agriculture-based livelihood, food security and resilience-building programs.
Capacity Building and Process Improvement
• Capacity building of provincial staff in understanding of donor requirements.
• Continuously improve project management strategies based on lessons learned and best practices.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess implementation progress and gather insights.
• Work with the HR to facilitate the development of relevant capacity building plans for the provincial Community Development staff of all 6 provinces.
• Develop realistic performance objectives for the PCIO, AFS staff members, review the objectives on a regular basis, and provide appropriate coaching and technical backstopping on the job.
• To carry out responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy.
• To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.
OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Any other relevant additional responsibility delegated by supervisor.
DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
• TBD
