TechnoServe - Associate Practice Lead - Agriculture Program

The Associate Practice Lead will manage a portfolio of existing Agriculture value chain programs and support our new program development efforts in India.

The position reports to a Senior Practice Lead within TechnoServe India, and would be responsible in providing leadership support and guidance to existing implementation program teams. She is also expected to lead efforts in developing the new practice area and new programs pipeline, incorporate best practices in program execution.

The incumbent would work with the TechnoServe India office and the Development division at TechnoServe's headquarters in the U.S.

He / She will be responsible for managing and growing the project/s and its deliverables that will include but not be limited to program management, stakeholder engagement, business development, team management, participating in design/strategy.

Role Description:

Specific tasks would include (but not limited to)

- Program Management: Managing large-scale development programs within India as well as those that have an international interface.

Ensuring timeliness and quality of deliverables for a portfolio of projects and providing leadership support to the project teams reporting to this position. Builds reputation of the program through sharing of evidence-based impact and participation in key stakeholder events

- Monitoring & Evaluation: Coordinate with M&E team for the timely preparation and submission of good quality monitoring and evaluation reports, and learning systems for the projects along with Program status reports, outcome reports and success case stories, conducting diligence and gap analysis and supporting program/s for emerging opportunities

- Value Chain Development: Providing leadership in the implementation of value chain development approaches/models; business plan development; market analysis; cost-benefit analysis and facilitating preparation of detailed implementation report (DIR)

Assist project implementation team/s on Development of Commodity Value Chain and market linkage for various products/ commodities in the Agriculture and allied activities, scale-up, capacity-building, production techniques and value chain development (both forward & backward linkages)

- Institution Building: Oversee internal strategic initiatives that help contribute towards continuous evolution as an institution, Build and strengthen internal systems contributing towards efficient functioning of the organization, contribute to team performance and management of the program staff, provide leadership and motivation and develop a culture of constant learning and improvement. Ensure strict compliance with TNS's objectives, strategies, policies, procedures and best practices, as well as those of the donors

- Business Development: Actively seek out opportunities for new programs or program expansion in the areas of agriculture systems, entrepreneurship, livelihoods and employability contributing towards long term growth. In collaboration with the Program Development team develop an opportunity pipeline and nurture relationships to capture new funding.

Accountable for donor engagement including business development and fundraising efforts, thought leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Build upon TechnoServe's expertise of delivering value, and grow our portfolio of programs. Cultivating and supporting relationships with domestic and international donors and partners.

Required Skills & Experience:

- Master's in Management and Agriculture background; experience with International Development sector organizations

- 15 years of relevant experience in managing end-to-end project management of multiple large scale programs funded by bi-lateral/multi-lateral organizations such as World Bank, ADB, DFID, GIZ, USAID, building the Agriculture portfolio for TNS India.

- Preference for prior experience as a team leader on large multi-stake-holder engagement programs, leading and mentoring large teams on agri technical and sustainability practices

- Experience having led verticals/practice areas, stakeholder management, program design & strategy, knowledge management, project monitoring, budgeting, staff management, stakeholder reporting

- Strong client engagement skills and working with senior leadership, the ability to influence decision-making for high impact

- Humility, willingness to listen and learn

- Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills

- Flexibility to travel extensively up to 50 percent