Project Manager- Greenhouse Project

The Action for Welfare and Development of Rural Environment Organization (AWDREO) is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political organization founded in 2015 by a group of passionate young professionals dedicated to contributing to Afghanistan’s development. AWDREO’s mission is to engage in multi-sector programs across Economic Empowerment, Education, Women’s Rights, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and Humanitarian Response. In alignment with the Afghan government’s efforts, AWDREO targets marginalized groups, including women, girls, youth, children, the illiterate, and the poor in rural communities, aiming to foster peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Job Purpose

The Greenhouse Project Manager is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, supervision, monitoring, and reporting of the greenhouse project. The position will ensure that project activities are implemented effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with the approved project proposal, work plan, budget, donor requirements, AWDREO policies, and relevant technical standards.

The position will provide technical and managerial leadership to the project team and ensure the successful establishment and operation of greenhouse facilities, quality crop production, appropriate beneficiary engagement, efficient use of project resources, and achievement of planned project results and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Implementation

• Lead and oversee the overall implementation of the greenhouse project in accordance with the approved proposal, work plan, budget, implementation schedule, and donor requirements.
• Develop detailed implementation plans, activity schedules, production plans, and project targets in coordination with the Program Manager and relevant technical staff.
• Define project scope, deliverables, milestones, and performance indicators in line with the overall project objectives.
• Ensure that project activities are implemented within the approved timeline, budget, and quality standards.
• Regularly review project progress and take appropriate corrective measures to address delays, gaps, or implementation challenges.
• Ensure effective coordination among project staff, AWDREO management, beneficiaries, suppliers, government authorities, donors, and other stakeholders.

Greenhouse Production and Technical Management

• Oversee the establishment, operation, and management of greenhouse facilities in accordance with approved technical specifications and standards.
• Develop and monitor crop production plans, including crop selection, nursery preparation, planting, irrigation, fertilization, pest and disease management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.
• Monitor greenhouse conditions, including irrigation, ventilation, temperature, humidity, soil/media condition, and crop health, and ensure timely corrective action.
• Ensure appropriate and efficient use of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, water, tools, equipment, and other agricultural inputs.
• Ensure proper maintenance and operation of greenhouse structures, irrigation systems, equipment, and other project assets.
• Promote good agricultural practices and environmentally responsible greenhouse production methods.
• Provide or facilitate technical training and coaching for project staff and beneficiaries on greenhouse management and relevant agricultural practices.
• Monitor crop productivity, quality, production costs, and other relevant technical indicators and recommend improvements where necessary.

Beneficiary Management

• Ensure that beneficiaries are identified and selected in accordance with approved donor criteria, project objectives, and AWDREO procedures.
• Ensure that beneficiary records and related documentation are accurate, complete, and properly maintained.
• Engage beneficiaries regularly and ensure their participation in project activities and technical training.
• Identify beneficiary needs and challenges and coordinate appropriate technical or programmatic support.
• Promote beneficiary ownership, accountability, and sustainability of greenhouse activities.

 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Assurance

• Develop and implement appropriate mechanisms to monitor project progress, greenhouse production, beneficiary participation, and achievement of project indicators.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy, and completeness of project and beneficiary data.
• Conduct regular field visits and monitoring of greenhouse activities and provide timely feedback to project staff.
• Identify strengths, weaknesses, implementation gaps, and areas for improvement and develop appropriate corrective actions.
• Monitor project performance against approved targets, indicators, work plans, and timelines.
• Support assessments, evaluations, monitoring visits, and donor or third-party verification activities.

 Coordination and Representation

• Liaise and coordinate regularly with relevant government authorities, donors, technical partners, community representatives, suppliers, and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
• Represent AWDREO professionally in project-related meetings, workshops, coordination forums, field visits, and other relevant events.
• Attend meetings, workshops, trainings, and coordination events organized by AWDREO, donors, government authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain effective communication with the Program Manager and senior management regarding project progress, challenges, risks, and achievements.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare and submit accurate weekly, monthly, quarterly, and other project reports as required by AWDREO and the donor.
• Ensure timely documentation of project activities, outputs, achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and corrective actions.
• Maintain complete and organized project files, including beneficiary records, attendance sheets, training records, monitoring reports, production records, photographs, procurement documents, and other supporting documentation.
• Ensure that project documentation is readily available for internal reviews, audits, donor monitoring, and evaluations.
• Ensure appropriate project visibility and documentation in accordance with donor requirements and AWDREO guidelines.

 Risk Management and Problem Solving

• Identify technical, operational, environmental, financial, and other risks that may affect project implementation or greenhouse production.
• Develop and implement appropriate mitigation measures and contingency plans.
• Identify implementation challenges and provide practical and timely solutions.
• Proactively manage changes in project scope, implementation requirements, and operational priorities.
• Immediately report significant risks, incidents, delays, or deviations from the approved project plan to the Program Manager or senior management.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure that all project activities comply with AWDREO policies, procedures, manuals, donor requirements, applicable government regulations, and relevant technical standards.
• Ensure adherence to AWDREO's safeguarding, PSEA, code of conduct, accountability, and other organizational requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of project and beneficiary information and ensure that project data is handled appropriately.
• Promote transparency, accountability, integrity, and responsible use of project resources.

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural,Project Management, A Master's degree will be an advantage.

Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in agricultural projects, greenhouse management, horticulture, or project management.

Demonstrated experience in managing agricultural or greenhouse projects, preferably with NGOs or development organizations.

Experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and team management.

Practical knowledge of greenhouse production, irrigation systems, crop management, pest and disease control, and agricultural inputs.

Experience working with donors, government authorities, communities, and other project stakeholders is preferred.

Good knowledge of MS Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Strong report-writing, communication, coordination, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is required; good English communication and report-writing skills are preferred.

Interested candidates should submit their updated CV along with a brief Expression of Interest, combined into one PDF file of no more than three pages, to AWDREO HR Email: awdreo.hr@awdreo.org.

Applicants must clearly mention the Vacancy Number and Job Title in the subject line of their email.

Only shortlisted candidates who meet the above-mentioned criteria will be contacted for the written test and/or interview.