Senior Program Manager - Agri Commodity

You will be based in Gurgaon, India and will report directly to the Director Programs India, with a matrix functioning with the Textiles & Manufacturing Business Unit at the organization. As a Senior Program Manager, you will oversee all aspects of programs and a well-defined sequence of activities that maps out the program progress from start to completion. You will work to refine and improve our partner strategy and execution and build leadership alignment at the highest levels with partners, both at global as well as at regional level. This will include designing partnerships with organizations that implement field- level activities and ensuring market linkages for a variety of smallholder-grown crops through high level private sector engagement.

This role will directly manage a Secretariat (2-3 people) in Madhya Pradesh towards delivery of local priorities and stakeholders; and build strong links with internal teams such as communications, fundraising, learning & innovation and to strengthen the overall delivery and management of the program.

Key responsibilities are:

- Program Management: Translate the strategic goals into operational plans and take full responsibility for program implementation, deliverables, and reporting on outcomes on time within budget and within scope.

- Manage a yearly work plan and budget, identify and contract implementing partners.

- Stakeholder Management: Create awareness and drive the adoption of more sustainable practices in commodity production, agribusiness and natural resources protection. Building the partnerships necessary to secure cooperation and the implementation of programs through convening local governments, private sector, and civil society.

- Monitoring & Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate project activities and finance in conjunction with the implementing partners and private sector players, as well as monitoring of implementers, organisations or any third party needed to deliver project objectives.

- Communication: Serve as technical lead in proposal development, concept notes, investment committee notes, program summaries and reporting which will include delivering public presentations about landscape programs. Keeping relevant stakeholders informed on plans and progress.

- Fundraising and Financing: Keep abreast of current regional and/or local fundraising trends to identify opportunities at an early stage, with the aim of securing funding for the programs. Unlocking and securing private and financial sector investment in sustainable production of commodities and natural resource management.

- People Management: management of a dynamic Secretariat in Madhya Pradesh as well as an Assistant Program Manager

- Learning: Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture among team members and program partners; identify and document the lessons learned based on local reality on the ground.

Who you are

- You are analytically strong, self-directed, able and willing to organize and prioritize work, multitask, and meet strict timelines independently and learn fast, maintaining a good overview whilst providing coaching on delegated tasks.

- You are a trustworthy experienced sparring partner for internal colleagues and external stakeholders. In addition, you have excellent interpersonal skills, adapt easily to new cultures and are a strong group facilitator.

- You can manage change and gain commitment with relative ease as you are able to connect to different people with different backgrounds.

- Working in a results-oriented, flexible, cooperative, and hands-on manner, you know how to drive the process, keep focus and discipline, guide and evolve to a successful planned outcome.

What you bring

- 10+ years of relevant working experience in international organizations/matrix settings, in program development and implementation.

- Experience in building a common vision through effective stakeholder driven communication and strategy.

- Advanced degree in business, economics, agriculture, environment, natural resource management or related field.

- Proven track record and high proficiency in project management across various stages of project development and implementation (initiating, planning, execution, monitoring and completion).

- Strong knowledge of financial administration and budgets, and People management.

- Knowledge of sustainability issues in the landscape (knowledge in the commodities sector desirable), and sustainability development.

- A very good working knowledge and command of MS Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Excellent presentation and communication skills, in writing and verbally.

- Proven ability for networking with major players in government, private sector and other stakeholders at local levels across the development sector.

- Experience in working in Agri Commodity value Chains and specifically for MNC's or Agri businesses linked to supplying/processing of large traders and brands is a plus.

- Excellent convening, facilitation, and negotiation skills.

- Ability and willingness to travel frequently (7-8 days in a month) to Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal and field areas) as required.

- Knowledge of pipeline development for impact investment and/or carbon finance is desirable.