Shelter for Life International (SFL) is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit and international faith-based organization. It has been working in Afghanistan since 1998 and is presently managing long-term and short-term humanitarian and development programs to the people in need in countries around the world. SFL is currently operational in Afghanistan, Liberia, South Sudan, Senegal and Tajikistan. Our Headquarters is located in Minnetonka, MN and funded by multiple donors such as BPRM, USG, USDA and WFP. SFL has rich experience and provides assistance in the following areas; Agriculture Development, Food Security, livelihood and emergency, Shelter and Population Settlement, Application of Microcredit, Infrastructure Development and Health and Nutrition.

The Resilience Food System (RFS) project, supported by the World Food Program (WFP), aims to strengthen household food security, improve resilience, and promote sustainable agricultural livelihoods.

The project aims to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods through the establishment of milk collection centers, mobile cold storages, vermicomposting units, greenhouses, tube filter irrigation systems, and rainwater harvesting wells in target provinces. To ensure effective implementation and coordination of these activities, a dedicated Coordinator will be hired.

The Project Engineer / Coordinator will be responsible for managing and supervising agriculture and infrastructure-related projects that contribute to enhanced food security, food safety, and sustainable livelihoods.

The position requires strong technical expertise in both agriculture/horticulture and civil engineering, ensuring that interventions integrate improved farming systems, modern infrastructure, and food safety standards to reduce losses, increase productivity, and strengthen community resilience.

Shelter for Life implements safe and PSEA-sensitive human resources practices
and processes throughout recruitment, contracting, and performance management to ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and beneficiaries. Shelter for Life has zero-tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).

The Project Engineer / coordinator will be responsible for:

Planning and Coordination

• Develop detailed work plans and timelines for each activity.
• Coordinate with technical teams, procurement, logistics, and field staff for timely implementation.
• Facilitate coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders and authorities.

Technical Support:

Mobile Cold Storages for Fruits and Vegetables

• Support procurement, setup, and deployment of mobile cold storage units.
• Support the design, construction, and installation of mobile cold storage units to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards.
• Oversee the civil and structural works related to the setup of cold storage units, including site preparation, and power connection requirements.
• Facilitate training of beneficiaries on post-harvest handling and storage management of fruits and vegetables.

Vermicomposting

• Oversee the establishment of vermicomposting production units.
• Coordinate and facilitate training sessions for beneficiaries on vermicomposting techniques, including the use of organic waste, worm management, moisture control, and compost harvesting.

Greenhouses

• Supervise the setup of greenhouses for vegetable production.
• Ensure proper design, materials, and beneficiary support
• Provide technical guidance and training to beneficiaries on greenhouse management, crop rotation, pest control, and maintenance practices.

Tube Filter Irrigation System

• Coordinate installation of tube filter irrigation systems for fruit trees in drylands.
• Ensure efficient use of water resources and system functionality.

Milk Collection Centers

• Coordinate the establishment of milk collection centers in target locations.
• Supervise construction, equipment installation, and beneficiary selections
•  Ensure technical standards and hygiene protocols are met

Rainwater Accumulation Wells

• Facilitate site selection, design, and construction of rainwater harvesting wells.
• Promote community awareness on water conservation practices

Supervision and Monitoring

• Provide day-to-day supervision to field staff and implementing teams.
• Ensure quality control and adherence to technical standards during construction, installation, and training activities.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor progress and identify challenges.
• Verify and certify completed works before payment or handover.
• Ensure all activities comply with project guidelines, safety measures, and environmental standards.

Community Engagement and Mobilization

• Lead community mobilization and sensitization activities in target areas.
• Work closely with Shuras, elders, and community-based organizations to ensure local participation and ownership.
• Facilitate beneficiary identification and ensure transparent selection processes.
• Promote awareness on proper use, maintenance, and sustainability of project facilities.

Deliverables

1. Implementation Deliverables

• Functional milk collection centers and operational mobile cold storages.
• Established vermicomposting units and greenhouses with trained beneficiaries.
• Installed tube filter irrigation systems and constructed rainwater wells.

2. Reporting and Supervision Deliverables

• Monthly progress and supervision reports (including photos and data).
• Beneficiary lists and training attendance sheets.
• Monitoring checklists and quality assurance records.
• Documentation of lessons learned and success stories.

3. Community Engagement Deliverables

• Record of community meetings, mobilization sessions, and stakeholder consultations.
• Evidence of community participation and ownership in project activities.

Qualification/Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree In Civil Engineering and having experience in Horticulture is preferred.

Experience:

• 5–8 years of professional experience in agriculture, horticulture, and construction-based projects.
• Proven expertise in managing at least several of the following: orchards, greenhouses, cold storage construction, irrigation check dams, water management, and post-harvest technologies.
• Experience integrating food security and food safety into agricultural programming.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong technical knowledge in horticulture, post-harvest management, irrigation, and infrastructure construction.
• Familiarity with smart/climate-smart agriculture practices.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and reporting skills.
• Proven leadership and ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work respectfully with rural communities while introducing improved technologies.
• Computer literacy (MS Office, project management software; knowledge of design tools is an asset).

 Preferred Qualifications

• Combined expertise in agriculture/horticulture and civil engineering, with experience in cold storage construction and smart agriculture.
• Experience in UN and NGO or donor-funded agriculture and food security projects.
• Knowledge of international food safety standards (HACCP, Codex Alimentarius and ISO).
• Demonstrated capacity to integrate climate-smart and innovative practices in agricultural systems.
• Fluency in English and local languages (Dari and Pashto).

• Regional and cultural knowledge of areas of SFL field operations in Afghanistan
• Willingness to work long hours when required
• Ability and willingness to travel to the project sites and outside of duty station within Afghanistan and adjust to the SFL environment as frequently as required
• Honest, proactive, well mannered, and must share values of SFL.
• Ready to work, live and travel in an intricate and strenuous environment

Interested qualified candidates should submit a full CV with a cover letter explaining their motivation in applying for the job and highlighting their relevant skills and experience, and submit their application to the link: https://www.careers-page.com/sflinternational

Academic certificates or references need not to be submitted at this time. These will be requested if called for an interview.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for a written test and/or interview.

Applications received after the announcement closing date or applications in hard copy will not be accepted.

The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Background & Reference check and be compliant and sign up to Shelter for Life’s Code of Conduct, PSEA (Prevention from Sexual exploitation and abuse), and other SFL’s policies prior to a final offer being made