Project Manager

CABI; New Delhi; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

CABI is seeking a Project Manager to lead complex, multi-donor projects in agriculture across multiple locations in developing countries. The role emphasizes coordination, budget and schedule management, and strong leadership to deliver project objectives.

The candidate should have a PhD in agriculture or related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience, with a track record in mitigating risks, reporting to donors, and ensuring governance compliance.

Qualifications

• PhD in agriculture or related field.
• 5+ years of project management experience, preferably in agriculture/development.
• Strong understanding of agriculture and smallholder challenges.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day management of multiple projects and ensure coordinated execution of approved activities.
• Develop and manage project work plans, budgets, and schedules with stakeholders to align with objectives.
• Lead and guide the project team, fostering collaboration and performance.
• Monitor progress and report to project board and donors with timely, accurate updates.
• Coordinate with Finance and Operations to align grants with forecasted expenditure.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and implement contingency plans.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, donor requirements, and governance standards.
• Oversee financial management and transparent reporting of project funds.
• Explore opportunities for new business development.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Risk management

Team leadership

Budgeting

Reporting

Education

PhD in agriculture

Job description

The Project Manager is central to the project’s success, ensuring its seamless execution through oversight of daily operations, effective coordination of activities, and proactive problem-solving. This role involves developing and managing work plans, budgets, and schedules in collaboration with the project team, stakeholders, and donors, ensuring all activities align with project objectives, timelines, and resource allocations. By fostering a collaborative and results-oriented team environment, the Project Manager provides leadership, mentorship, and performance support to the project team, ensuring that all members are motivated and equipped to deliver.

The Project Manager closely monitors the project’s progress, tracking key performance indicators and milestones, preparing detailed reports for the project board and donors, and maintaining open communication channels to address emerging issues promptly. Risk management is a critical component, with the Project Manager identifying potential obstacles, developing mitigation strategies, and ensuring contingency plans are in place.

In addition, the Project Manager is tasked with ensuring compliance with national regulations, organisational policies, and donor requirements. In overseeing financial management, the Project Manager ensures that funds are used transparently and efficiently, producing accurate financial reports to sustain trust and facilitate ongoing support.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Oversee the day-to-day management of a suite of projects, ensuring effective coordination and execution of all approved activities.
• Develop and manage project work plans, budgets, and schedules in collaboration with the project team and stakeholders to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines.
• Lead and guide the project team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment, and supporting team development and performance.
• Monitor the project’s progress against its objectives, timelines, and budgets, ensuring accurate and timely reporting to the project board and donors.
• Liaise with the Finance and Operations teams to ensure that grants and projects’ delivery align with forecasted expenditure
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure that risks do not impede the project’s progress.
• Ensure the project complies with all relevant regulations, policies, and donor requirements, maintaining the highest standards of governance and accountability.
• Oversee financial management, ensuring transparency and accountability in using project funds, and providing accurate financial reporting.
• Leverage opportunities for new business development

ABOUT YOU:

• PhD in agriculture, crop protection, agricultural economics, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management, preferably in agriculture and development, with a proven track record of successfully leading complex multi-donor projects across multiple locations in developing countries
• Strong understanding of agriculture, crop protection, and smallholder farmers' challenges, particularly in sustainable practices and plant health systems.
• Understanding of development of sustainable value chains, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary related issues and how to mitigate them to comply with market requirements would be an added value
• Working knowledge of USDA grant and loan requirements preferable, compliance frameworks, and stakeholder reporting.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate multidisciplinary and multinational teams, ensuring high performance and collaboration.
• Demonstratable ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, tasks efficiently in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Experience designing and implementing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning frameworks, and other project management tools for tracking progress against objectives, and reporting to donors and stakeholders.
• Solid experience managing project budgets, ensuring financial transparency, and preparing accurate financial reports.
• Strong communication skills, and ability to work effectively with government institutions, local partners, donors, and other stakeholders.

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates integrity and accountability and remains calm under pressure.
• Adaptable and resourceful, skilled at navigating challenges and finding solutions.
• Focused on accuracy and achieving measurable outcomes.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural diversity.