Education/Experience

Roles and Responsibilities

• The Project Manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  
  
• Grant fundraising: drafting, reviewing and submitting applications or proposals for fundraising
  from foundations, DFIs, business competitions and other donors; preparing and presenting
  proposals to grant funders and donors; conducting preliminary calls and liaising with them
  throughout the engagement
• Partnership development and management for (1) funders, investors and corporate entities, and
  (2) local/grassroots partnerships (farmer associations, cooperatives, FPCs, FPOs, NGOs, buyers,
  retailers, etc.) in current and new geographies within India, including eastern Uttar Pradesh,
  Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
• Assess and select new partner organisations; negotiate roles and finalise MoUs; liaise with
  existing partners; develop and implement new collaborative projects; translate insights gained
  from partner meetings into recommendations and plans
• Impact management and measurement: implementation of the M&E framework; supervision of
  collection of baseline and periodic impact data using standardised surveys; oversee data
  collection, cleaning, storage and management; data analysis and visualisation in Excel, Tableau, or
  another suitable format; calculation and presentation of key impact metrics and SROI
• Report writing for internal and external audiences: project reports; performance and impact
  reports; annual reports; reporting to investors and donors in designated format
• Oversee development of training and capacity building modules to strengthen farmers’
  agricultural livelihoods in conjunction with energy services being delivered by Oorja (crop and
  input selection, cultivation practices for field and horticultural crops, intercropping,
  multi-cropping, yield enhancement, plant and soil health, pest and disease control, effective
  irrigation, post-harvest storage and processing, agronomy, sustainable agricultural practices,
  agricultural innovations, etc.)
• Oversee the implementation of farmer training and capacity building programs (and eventually
  advisory services): review video and print material, oversee the organization and delivery of
  participatory workshops, review monthly training reports sent by field staff to track farmers’
  reached and trained and link this to the services provided
• Lead corporate communications to raise the organization’s profile among different circles and
  attract the attention of potential funders and collaborators: monthly newsletters, blogs,
  contributions to publications, media, and conferences
• Research, strategy development, and overseeing the implementation of market linkages to bring
  farmers’ fresh and processed products to markets in northern and eastern India; finding
  institutional buyers; prospects for contract farming; formation of FPOs and FPCs; building
  the agribusiness value chain for high-value commodities
• Research and strategy development for aggregation and procurement of produce from the
  company’s customers; potential for processing, packaging, branding and selling through B2B and
  B2C channels
• Research, strategy development and overseeing the implementation of new service offerings for
  farmers including advisory services, quality inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc.),
  small farm equipment rental, etc.
• Research and identify partners for expansion into new geographies and markets: conduct desk
  research to identify, analyse and select target geographies in South/Southeast Asia and sub-
• Saharan Africa; identify potential collaborators; research and develop market entry strategy;
  oversee the seamless execution and monitoring of pilot projects
• Support with strategy development in other areas of the business, including the launch of new
  agricultural energy services, advisory services, rental services, product sales, etc.
• Design, development, implementation, and management of a Fellowship program to offer young
  people the opportunity to learn on the job while they contribute their knowledge and skills in
  adding value to the company’s mission

Qualifications

• 4+ years’ experience in the social development sector, with a strong interest in agriculture,
  livelihoods and energy issues
• Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline
• Development professional with experience managing partnerships and grant writing; experience
  working with an agribusiness, farmer collectives or a clean energy company would be a plus

Competencies and Abilities

• Expertise in impact monitoring and evaluation methodologies, tools and software
• Superior organisational and time management skills and attention to detail
• Impeccable written English and excellent communication abilities, both verbal and written
  Self-motivated and ability to work independently to meet deadlines and adhere to quality
  standards
• Cultivate an independent understanding of issues including social/economic development,
  agriculture, water and energy, with a focus on rural India
• High degree of computer literacy with command of MS Office; knowledge of graphic design
  software or platforms (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Prezi or equivalent) will be an advantage
• Able to work within a multidisciplinary, international team with sensitivity and respect for
  diversity
• Strong team spirit and commitment to the environmental and social mission which drives Oorja
• Ability and willingness to travel to rural areas of India for fieldwork

Benefits

• Exciting high-impact assignments
• A collegial and creative work environment
• Attractive wages
• You will join a dynamic and passionate team of professionals
• Opportunity to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies in pursuit of an inspiring mission.

How to apply
If this exciting opportunity appeals to you, please send your application by filling the online application
form by 31 st January 2021 – www.oorjasolutions.org/apply-now.

Application process
Oorja conducts a 3-stage evaluation process. First, a short preliminary interview (45 min) about your
background, experience and motivation. Second, a longer interview (2-3 hours) is arranged including
assignments to further assess your skills and adequacy for the role, interactions with the team and fit
within the organisational culture. Third, a final interview (30 min) with Oorja’s external advisors to assess
your long-term aspirations and alignment of your learning and growth objectives with the company’s
mission and goals. Successful candidates in each stage will be notified by email.