TechnoServe - Program Manager - Food Fortification India

Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiatives Through Enterprise (IGNITE), is a public-private partnership (PPP) with Fortification Partners providing technical assistance (TA) and high-quality inputs to over 100 national food processors per year in 8 countries, helping to close gaps in their motivation and ability to comply with national fortification regulations. IGNITE will set up a platform to link these Fortification Partners with specific local food processors, matching Fortification Partners' technical expertise and strategic interests with the identified capability gaps of the TA recipients. The Program will focus on 8 countries namely, India, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ethiopia. For the Asian geographies, India will serve as the Node.

Reporting to the Program Leader - Asia, the India Program Manager will be responsible for leading a team in the rollout of all IGNITE Grant activities in the country under the overall guidance by the Node, including engagement with local processors and partners, organization of Partner and Stakeholder Convening and workshops, and support for the rollout of collaborative and bilateral initiatives.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities :

- Lead key management activities, including work planning, reporting, performance management, and resource allocation and budgeting for food fortification projects implemented in India (being assisted by a Food Fortification Specialist)

- Represent TechnoServe at the country level meeting with potential partners and stakeholders: processing company directors and production managers, government institutions and regulators, technical industry experts, service providers and universities, complementary programs, NGOs and related agencies

- Develop and validate engagement strategy and operational program country plan in consultation with relevant stakeholders through appropriate convening and workshop platforms

- Make appropriate adjustments for the successful execution of ongoing implementation plans

- Support the development of landscape studies, incorporating industry insights by conducting key informant interviews

- Lead the design of stakeholder convening / Sector-Wide Training, coordinating amongst participants, and capturing key outputs through comprehensive reporting

- Identify, review and select prospective companies for program support, familiarize them with the program offering and expectations for all participating partners

- Identify common fortification industry weaknesses and support the design and delivery of sector-wide training workshops to strengthen these gaps

- Work with selected companies to identify their challenges and ensure adequate fortification compliance, design Technical Assistance (TA) projects to address these challenges and work with Strategic Fortification Partners (SFPs) to facilitate the appropriate technology and knowledge transfer in support of the assisted food companies

- Review, monitor, and report on all programmatic activities including periodic progress, and financial reports, ensuring strict compliance with TechnoServe's objectives, strategies, policies and procedures.

- Represent the country's activities through reports, presentations, hosting of leadership, donor or stakeholder site visits and other communications as required.

- Any other duties that may be assigned by supervisor

Skills & Attributes:

- Strong cross-sectoral relationship management skills

- Strong project management and strategic thinking abilities

- Analytical mind and commitment to quality; rigorous approach with a high level of attention to detail.

- Food processing experience, preferably in staple foods with an understanding of fortification technology will be an advantage

Budget management skills:

- Proven ability to work in an environment requiring collaboration with the private sector, government, and national and international organizations

- Strong negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal

- Flexible, proactive, goal-oriented and with a willingness to travel in challenging environments

- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

- Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

- Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment, problem-solving, and creativity

Required Experience:

- Bachelor's Degree in Food Technology, Nutrition, Agriculture or related fields + 8 to 10 years relevant experience in developing and managing projects, preferably in the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of PPP programs in developing countries OR MBA with 6-8 years' experience in Food Ingredient industry and hands on experience in marketing/selling ingredients to Food processing companies

- Detail orientation, including strong organizational, analytical and quantitative skills

- Experience in working with financial and project management systems

- Experience of working in the food industry in India

- Proven team player with strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills

- Ability to influence "non-reporting" relationships

- Outstanding written communication skills including prior experience editing and proofreading documents

- Strong project management skills including the ability to anticipate demand and manage multiple tasks and projects while meeting tight deadlines.

- Computer literacy with excellent Excel, MS Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills