Position: Programme Officer

Organization: The Aga Khan Foundation

Location: Patna

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the collaboration with both JEEViKA, ensuring quality implementation of deliverables in line with the MoU, and with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, to scale-up Project Mesha approaches.

• Mentor and guide AKF teams positioned at the district cluster level and support the replication of Project Mesha approaches across 20 districts in collaboration with JEEViKA

• Support the identification of key learning from project implementation, and lead the establishment of learning forums at the block, district and state levels to facilitate wider outreach and replication of project approaches.

• Review and where required, further refine and strengthen the training modules and flip books for pashu sakhis and women SHG members on small ruminant productivity improvements and women’s empowerment, and be responsible for dissemination and capacity building to facilitate adoption in the 20 districts in line with the MoU with JEEViKA. Facilitate the dissemination of the animated video film series on Project Mesha approaches.

• Be responsible for the development and timely submission of progress reports to JEEViKA.

• Ensure and be responsible for dialogue with JEEViKA staff at the block, district and state levels and ensure regular information sharing on key project approaches, outputs and results.

• Identify training and capacity building needs to facilitate replication of project approaches to other districts, and internal and external resources required to enable wider adoption of project approaches.

• Support the development of high quality publications and documentation, highlighting emerging learning from project implementation and identifying key issues for policy dialogue.

• Assist and support the process of identifying external expertise for various surveys and qualitative/ quantitative assessments and studies, including the development of terms of reference and monitoring of outputs.

• Under the guidance of the State Programme Manager, maintain close dialogue with external stakeholders and technical experts.

• Identify innovative practices and approaches relevant to Project Mesha, and work closely with the Project Mesha Team Leader to facilitate adoption to strengthen and improve the quality of field implementation. Support the identification of Project Mesha staff training needs and convening of staff training and exposure visits.

• Be responsible for convening the half-yearly Project Mesha Advisory Committee meeting and recording proceedings, including follow-up action points.

• Lead the convening of the annual pashu sakhi sammelan at the state level, including finalizing the schedule, identifying speakers, documenting proceedings and taking forward emerging recommendations and action points

• Contribute and assist in the convening of Project Mesha learning events and workshops, including the half-year/ annual technical review and planning meetings.

• Support the process of developing annual/ quarterly/ monthly implementation plans, and the development of systems to regularly review progress against agreed milestones (both technical and financial).

• Contribute to the development of a photo-bank of all Project Mesha interventions, and be responsible for maintaining project documentation.

• Track key policy developments related to small ruminant development, ensuring convergence with project implementation. Identify potential technical and financial partnerships to expand Project Mesha implementation.

• Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the State Programme Manager.

Required qualities, competencies, and qualifications:

• Ambitious, energetic, and hard-working professional with eight to ten years of experience in the implementation of gender sensitive agriculture/ livestock programmes.

• Post-graduate qualifications in management/ social sciences. Experience of working in close collaboration with government systems and mainstreaming best practice and approaches will be desirable.

• Ambitious, energetic, and hard-working professional committed to improving lives among India’s most marginalised communities. Must share a sense of urgency about development.

• Must enjoy working in horizontal, cross-functional teams; needs to be comfortable dealing with ambiguity, as well as situational authority and leadership

• Should be capable of meeting short deadlines and producing quality materials with a fast turnaround.

• Solution-oriented, creative problem-solver, who can be versatile and is willing to work around obstacles.

• Willingness to be based in Patna and travel extensively in the project area. Fluency in English and Hindi (both written and verbal) is required.

• An ability to work in teams is essential, as well as the ability to work independently and to multi-task.