Passing Gifts Private Limited (PGPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heifer International USA and it provide services in educating, consulting, training, advising, and providing professional and technical services to individuals, associations, and entities in India and abroad, particularly those who support or are working in the areas of social advancement and sustainable development. This position may also require service agreements, secondment agreements, between entities, etc.

FUNCTION:

The Senior Project Manager – Training, Social Capital and Government Partnership will assist in the design, implementation, project partner management and follow-up of social capital development and aligned training activities at the project partner and farmer levels. The Sr. Manager will also establish government partnerships at the district and state levels. This position will work with the project team and manage project work in accordance with PGPL’s objectives, policies, and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES:

Social Capital Development Initiatives in the Program (20%)

• Develop/update strategy/interventions to ensure social capital development is appropriately incorporated in all signature projects.
• Lead Cornerstone and social capital development trainings organized for local government units (municipalities, provincial governments), government line agencies, and development agencies in the country.
• Facilitate and serve as a resource person for PGPL trainings and ToTs.
• Lead and organize various events and trainings to build social capital for community members and project staff
• Facilitate the development of IEC materials.
• Ensure the identification and capacity building of partners.
• Ensure preparation of an annual plan and budget and track and assess implementation of the social capital development plan in the project.
• Visit project locations/project partners/Self Help Groups (SHGs)/farmer-producer companies (FPCs) for follow-ups and to ensure the effectiveness of PGPL’s existing social capital programs.
• Support/guide partners and project team in strengthening of SHGs, FPCs and other community-based institutions.
• Mainstream VBHCD and the 12 Cornerstones model in the signature project (SHG, PMC, PIMC, CAVE, PSRP).
• Ensure that communities undertake visioning exercises on a regular basis from the beginning of the project.
• Ensure quality assurance of VBHCD training at the field level.
• Coordinate with Signature project teams and other thematic leads in preparing the annual training plan and budget.
• Coordinate with the MELS Manager in developing tools for monitoring post training.
• Develop and manage the training budget and Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP).
• Document lessons learned, good practices, and success stories.

Project and Project Partner Management (35%)

• Provide overall management of the Signature project and ensure timely reporting by the partners.

• Monitor and provide feedback on program quality through regular team meetings, partner team meetings, field visits, and regular communication.
• Identify, assess, and select implementing partners.
• Support partner and program teams for annual DIP development and review the DIP on a regular basis.
• Conduct regular monitoring and periodic evaluations of project partners’ performance including budgeting, spending and variance analysis.
• Maintain strong relationships and communication with all relevant stakeholders in the region throughout program implementation.
• Supervise and manage the project officers, build the capacity of program team, monitor, coach and provide regular support.
• Deliver project targets as per the plan.
• Closely work with the country team and bring impacts in the projects.
• Ensure that internal and external reporting and documentation requirements are met.
• Achieve budget utilization targets while maintaining quality in project implementation.

Capacity Building of Farmer-owned Agribusinesses (FOABs) (20%)

• Lead periodic assessment of the FOABs by adapting the appropriate tools.
• Identify capacity gaps and areas of improvement in various dimensions of FOABs.
• Provide oversight of Co-CAT training and implementation at the cooperative level.
• Support the building of business relationships among value chain actors.
• Strengthen social capital among FOABs.

Government Partnership Development and Stakeholder Management (25%)

• Map out different stakeholders/departments and establish strong rapport for project collaboration.
• Leverage government projects, schemes and benefits to project groups; ensure that efforts are made to bring resources to project/SHGs/FPOs.
• Develop trainings and workshops on government-initiated schemes and provisions for the project families/groups.
• Network with agencies and government line departments by organizing and attending state or district level meetings and workshops; ensure convergence of project activities.
• Ensure that local, district and state level stakeholders are involved in project implementation and monitoring through establishment of PIMCs, D-PAC, S-PAC (district and state project advisory committee).
• Lead the design and development of project proposals for government, CSR and donors.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in project planning and management, community development, sociology/social sciences, agribusiness or a related field is required, plus seven (7) years of experience, OR a master’s degree in a relevant field plus five (5) years of experience including three (3) years in managing teams in an international organization.
• Thorough understanding of programming processes, systems and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at the community level.
• Solid skill, knowledge, and foundation in proposal development and of the project management
• Sound understanding of value chain development on various agricultural commodities and the livestock sector.
• Sound understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of the root causes of poverty in India.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, program and project development and implementation processes (including planning, monitoring and evaluation).
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively, tactfully and diplomatically with culturally diverse groups of people.
• Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of line-managed staff and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
• Knowledge of grant acquisition and management.
• Proficiency in basic statistics sufficient to analyze data.
• Understanding of the Government schemes, projects, provision and other facilities for the project communities, groups.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Basic knowledge of financial controls and systems. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, database and electronic mail software (Microsoft preferred).
• Strong Odia and English language skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
• Willingness to work flexibly outside normal working hours.
• Ability to foster and maintain a spirit of unity, teamwork and cooperation.
• Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues, potential donors, and the public.
• Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.
• Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and to always maintain confidentiality.
• Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and to gender equity.
• Constant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time