Project Manager - Inclusive Agricultural Market Systems and Digitization

About the role

CRS Afghanistan is looking for a Project Manager to lead the design and implementation of inclusive, market-led agricultural livelihood pathways under its Resilient Rural Livelihoods portfolio. The role strengthens agricultural market systems and value chains by identifying constraints, aligning incentives and building partnerships among farmers, producer groups, agribusinesses, suppliers, traders, financial institutions, digital service providers and government stakeholders. It places strong emphasis on agricultural digitalization and is contingent on donor funding.

Key responsibilities

• Lead assessments of agricultural market systems, value chains and agribusinesses to identify constraints and opportunities across priority commodities.
• Design and oversee market-led interventions that strengthen input supply, production, aggregation, processing, marketing and service delivery, with inclusive participation of smallholder farmers.
• Develop and manage agribusiness investment pipelines, including producer organizations, agri-SMEs, processors, traders and exporters, and support access to finance.
• Direct market intelligence, value chain research and commercial analysis to identify buyers, quality standards, trends and export opportunities.
• Facilitate product development, quality improvement, market testing, buyer engagement and B2B linkages.
• Lead the design, piloting and scaling of digital agriculture solutions such as market information systems, e-extension, digital advisory platforms, digital payments, traceability and agribusiness management tools.
• Integrate digital financial services, quality assurance, certification, SPS compliance and traceability into value chains.
• Conduct commercial viability, profitability, scalability and cost-benefit analyses, and build partnerships with farmers' organizations, agribusinesses, suppliers, exporters, financial institutions, technology providers, government agencies and research bodies.

Required profile

• Master's degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, business, development economics or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in agricultural value chain development and Market Systems Development (MSD).
• Proven track record in evidence generation, learning and policy engagement.
• Experience with a wide range of donors and major donor-funded MSD/value chain projects.