Programme Officer - Agri-Tech

About the Role:

We are looking for Programme Officers to manage different aspects of our upcoming livelihoods initiative through a variety of strategic and operational efforts. As a Programme Officer (Agri-Tech), you will work with our Senior Management and contribute towards strategic planning exercises to determine the goals and identify pathways for execution alongside various verticals within the team.

Additionally, you will drive local FPO-level robust planning, process optimization, documenting, and reporting lessons learned, in direct alignment with the long-term objective of the initiative to establish templates for replication at scale. You will hold and nurture critical partnerships with various stakeholders including select FPOs, Agri Institutes, sector experts, market players, NBFCs, NGOs, Government departments, etc.

Key Responsibilities of Programme Officer (Agri-Tech):

1. Develop and implement strategic plans within select FPOs and Agri-Tech initiatives.

2. Identify Agri Tech needs and promote effective Agri-Tech solutions that can improve farming practices, reduce costs and enhance overall productivity in farming practices.

3. Facilitate the adoption of new technologies within FPOs

4. Collaborate with Agri-experts, Agri-Tech companies, Government agencies, other FPOs, NGOs and other stakeholders to leverage resources, technology, and expertise for the benefit of FPO shareholders

5. Design livelihood improvement initiatives that focus on income generation, crop diversification, soil improvement, Agri input value additions

6. Guide the FPO team and Farmers on post-harvest management of identified crops, integrate Agri-Tech solutions to reduce post-harvest losses

7. Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of Agri Tech initiatives

8. Collect and analyze data to measure the effectiveness of interventions and make data-driven decisions for program improvement

9. Regularly communicate program progress, successes, and challenges to internal and external stakeholders. Prepare analytical reports for Senior Management

10. Other assigned responsibilities, which would be required to achieve the objective of the livelihoods initiative

Desired Skills & Experience:

We are looking for someone who is dedicated to the cause of Impacting Lives through livelihood enhancement, and who is willing to learn and contribute towards the larger goal of the initiative. The candidate should be result-oriented with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Specifically, we are looking for someone with:

- 8-10+ years of work experience, with prior experience within the livelihood sector especially in Agri-Tech

- Preferably a Master's Degree in Agricultural Science, Agri business, Business Administration or relevant discipline

- Ability to communicate effectively in Tamil and other southern Indian languages

- Strong experience working with senior leaders from various backgrounds and fields

- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively

- Excellent planning and organizing skills, with good time management skills and the ability to prioritize amidst various sometimes conflicting priorities.

- Excellent team working skills, with a proven contribution to team goals and objectives.

- An analytical approach to problem-solving and a solutions mindset, with the ability to scope the complexity of activities and processes

- Knowledge and familiarity with the agri-based livelihoods landscape in India. Prior experience of working with FPOs is strongly preferred