Project Officer - Agribusiness Partnerships

Note: This position is contingent donor funding.

About CRS:

CRS is an international humanitarian and development agency working to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has been operating in Afghanistan since 2002 and CRS is currently maintaining staff presence in Kabul, Herat, Ghor and Bamiyan, alongside an expanding scope of partnership implemented programs in Kandahar, Kunar, Samangan, Balkh, and Nangahar with strategic expansion planned further in 2027. CRS Afghanistan focuses on poverty and risk reduction and promoting resilience, human development through implementing livelihoods, education and emergency response.

The Project Officer (Agribusiness Partnerships) will lead the design, implementation, and management of private sector agribusiness and market systems interventions by engaging private sector partners to drive sustainable, scalable impact. The role focuses on identifying agricultural market opportunities, structuring co-investment partnerships, and ensuring effective delivery of interventions aligned with results chains and program objectives.
The position requires an agricultural background strong commercial acumen, partner management capability, and the ability to align private sector incentives with development outcomes. The Intervention Officer will work closely with technical, MEAL, and program teams to ensure adaptive management, performance tracking, and continuous learning.

Ø Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics or related field.

Ø Minimum of 3 years of experience in agricultural value chains, private sector engagement, , or market systems development projects.

Ø Experience working with private sector or supporting market actors such as input suppliers, aggregators, processors, service providers, and industry associations.

Ø Familiarity working in value chains such as fruits and nuts, spices, potato, dairy, poultry etc. an advantage

Ø Familiarity with natural resource management or climate-smart agriculture is an advantage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

Ø Knowledge of agricultural value chains, including production, aggregation, processing, and market linkages

Ø Knowledge of private sector business models within agricultural systems (e.g., input suppliers, aggregators, processors, exporters, and service providers).

Ø Understanding of partnership frameworks, including co-investment, cost-sharing, and risk-sharing mechanisms.

Ø Understanding of market systems development (MSD) principles, including sustainability, scalability, and private sector–led approaches.

Ø Understanding of export-oriented value chains and commodities, including quality standards, certification requirements, trade dynamics, and market access constraints (e.g., horticulture, nuts, spices, and other high-value crops).

Ø Familiarity with business performance metrics (e.g., revenue growth, outreach, return on investment) and their application to development programming.

Ø Understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) approaches, including the use of data for adaptive management.

Skills

Ø Partner identification and due diligence skills, assessing commercial viability, incentives, and strategic alignment.

Ø Business case development skills, including financial analysis, value proposition design, and co-investment structuring.

Ø Market and value chain analysis skills, including the ability to identify constraints, opportunities, and leverage points within domestic and export markets.

Ø Effective negotiation and influencing skills to secure partner commitment, including exporters and market intermediaries.

Ø Strong partnership management skills, including planning, coordinating, and monitoring implementation with private sector actors across the value chain.

Ø Ability to track and manage performance, using data to assess progress against milestones, including market and sales-related indicators.

Ø Clear and concise communication and reporting skills, including documentation of results, lessons learned, and market insights.

Abilities

Ø Ability to engage effectively with diverse market actors, including exporters, processors, and service providers

Ø Ability to identify and develop interventions that strengthen value chain and market systems

Ø Ability to manage multiple partnerships simultaneously, balancing relationship management with performance oversight.

Ø Ability to hold partners accountable to agreed deliverables and take corrective action when needed.

Ø Ability to adapt interventions based on market dynamics, trade conditions, and performance data.

Ø Ability to identify and resolve implementation bottlenecks in a timely and practical manner.

Ø Ability to work effectively across teams and stakeholders, ensuring coordination between technical, MEAL, and program functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships

Ø Internal: Project Director, Natural Resources Management Advisor, Inclusive Market Systems Advisor, MEAL Officer, field teams

Ø External: Private sector partners, Ministry and Department level technical engagement in Agriculture, Water, Disaster Management, Environment and Rural Development, local technical authorities, research institutions, academia, private sector actors, donors

Required Languages – English (required); Dari and/or Pashto (preferred).

Travel

Ø Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% to rural areas.

Ø Ability to work in rugged terrain and remote communities.

CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahrams who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahrams who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight stays.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

Ø Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.

Ø Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.

Ø Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.

Ø Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.

Ø Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies

Ø Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.

Ø Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.

Ø Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy

Ø Conduct and/or support rapid agricultural market and sector assessments and mapping exercises to inform intervention design and strategy development. Ø Identify, assess, and engage private sector actors with the capacity and incentive to participate in program interventions. Ø Co-create business cases and partnership agreements with agribusinesses, including defining roles, cost-sharing arrangements, and expected results in key technical areas including market linkages, certification and quality standards, traceability, digitalization and commercial finance Ø Manage and strengthen agribusiness partnerships to ensure effective implementation, accountability, and delivery of results. Ø Develop and implement pilots with agribusinesses and service providers around certification and quality standards, traceability, and digitalization Ø Facilitate the provision of technical and business development support to agribusiness partners to enhance performance and sustainability. Ø Monitor and report on any challenges and/or gaps identified in intervention progress and partner performance against results chains and agreed milestones to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Ø Collaborate with MEAL teams to ensure timely data collection, analysis, and use for adaptive management. Ø Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ø Identify implementation challenges and adapt interventions based on market feedback and evidence

Key Deliverables

Ø Market mapping and agricultural value chain assessment reports with clear recommendations for intervention areas. Ø Pipeline of vetted private sector partners (agribusinesses and support service providers) aligned with program objectives. Ø Signed partnership agreements with agribusinesses with defined business cases and co-investment structures. Ø Partnership implementation plans and periodic progress reports. Ø Performance tracking reports aligned to results chains, including outreach, adoption, and impact. Ø Evidence of strengthened partner capacity and improved business performance.

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., November 10th, 2026), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.