BACKGROUND:

Passing Gifts Private Limited (PGPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heifer International USA and it provides 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.

PGPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION:

The Project Officer – Agriculture will lead Passing Gifts’ project activities on connecting the producer-owned cooperatives and self-help groups with financial institutions. S/he will lead the development and execution of the overall strategic vision, goal, and objectives of the access to the finance component.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: (including approximate percentage effort)

Sustainable agriculture practices (30%)

• Provide technical support in roll out and effective implementation of the agricultural extension model in the project.
• Establish and lead market research to continuously evaluate the business environment to refine the model.
• Lead execution of the extension model, including on-the-ground set-up of operations, developing relevant relations with ecosystem actors, and effective flow of products and services.
• Exercise oversight on the operations of the model, with a focus on quality and diversification of products and services, capacity building, and scale up in promoting sustainable agriculture systems.
• Develop entrepreneurs as per the objectives of the project.
• Focus on cash crop/spices practices and build skills of the farmers.
• Promote a model kitchen garden effective at the FPO/farmer level.
• Promote product businesses at the FPO/farmer level.

Optimize Agricultural practices in the Project (30%)

• Develop a package of practices in consultation with State Agriculture Universities and KVKs and disseminating the same in the project area.
• Conduct crop modeling, soil mapping, and weather modeling
• Adoption of improved agriculture practices
• Prepare and conduct advisory sessions and training for farmers, policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Training design, development and delivery; conduct learning sessions provide regular coaching and support during the action period for implementing.
• Analyze agricultural data and report on findings.
• Maintain records of agricultural yields and services
• Make presentations to farmers, livestock producers, and agriculture businesses.
• Analyze soil composition as it relates to plant growth.
• Be actively involved in practices related to waste matter, increased production and irrigation practices
• Promote organic agriculture across the project area and work on Cluster Identification, Diagnostic Study, Feasibility Analysis, Base Line assessment, mobilization of farmers, Business Planning for FPO’s Formed, assessment.

Support FPOs and partners in effective implementation of the project and achieve the project objectives (15%)

• Assist project partners in various training, farmer’s field trips, exchange visits, study reports.
• Assist project partner in the implementation of the project activities.
• Assist project partner to ensure quality passing on the gifts and other resources.
• Assist the partner in the implementation of the exponential POG with quality.
• Assist project partner to develop/produce market-oriented quality products!
• Assist partner in following PMD-pro tools and framework.

Reporting, Documentation, and Liaising (10%)

• Liaise and network relevant line departments, KVKs, and state agriculture universities at village and block for leveraging resources
• Prepare official documents, reports, periodic statements and MIS Reports for each project and proactive communication with all stakeholders
• Create agri-business plans for the farmers, facilitate bank and market linkage
• Support monitoring and evaluation of the effects and impact of the project
• Contribute to Program and Project design and strategic discussions

Liaison, networking, and collaboration with line agencies (10%)

• Coordinate with other stakeholders and build a fruitful relationship with them.
• Promotion of cross learning and exchange of the knowledge
• Support the partners in the mobilization of the committed co-funding (Catalytical Leverage Funding)

May perform other job-specific duties as assigned (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• A bachelor’s degree in agriculture related field, having experience in planning and implementing agricultural development and/or livelihood related initiatives at the field level and minimum of four (4) years of experience, OR
• A master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Enterprise Development or other related field and minimum of two (2) years of experience.
• Experience with the commercial sector, agribusiness development in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development is added advantage.
• Planning and Management, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or other relevant qualification is an added preference.
• Experience in working with FPOs and their businesses is highly recommended.
• Clear understanding of goat, backyard poultry, vegetable, and agri-product value chains.
• Innovative, analytical, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Knowledge of enterprise development and linkages to poverty alleviation.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate challenging situations to achieve goals and deadlines.
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
• 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.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• Fluent in Hindi, English, and local language, both spoken and written.
• Have an interest in animal/agriculture community development.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, web designing, collaboration platform and tools, and electronic mail software (Microsoft preferred).
• Constant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time.