Gram Vikas

Calling Professionals in Project Management, to join a programme to build economic opportunities for women in rural Odisha

Background

Gram Vikas is a community development organization working in Odisha and Jharkhand since 1979. We work with rural communities to help them lead a dignified life by building capacities, strengthening community institutions and mobilising resources.

Gram Vikas is implementing the “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Programme”, partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and Reliance Foundation, under the overall aegis of Mission Shakti Department, Government of Odisha. The programme will support two lakh women to build economic opportunities in the farm and non-farm sector. The project is being implemented in 30 blocks of Bargarh, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Kandhamal districts of Odisha, during the three year period up to June 2026.

We are inviting applications from interested, eligible professionals for the positions of Block Programme Lead

Block Programme Lead

The Block Programme Lead (BPL) is the nodal person for the programme in the Block. The BPL will be responsible for the execution of the planned and all sorts of coordination and delivering every activity within the budget and scope. S/he will be representing Gram Vikas to the Block Mission Shakti Department (of Govt. of Odisha) and other state and non-state actors in the Block.

Responsibilities of Block Programme Lead

Specific Responsibilities for the Block Programme Lead:

• Develop a detailed project plan for the block to track the progress
• Ensure that all activities are delivered on-time, within the scope and within the budget provision
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation and share the updates within the desired timeline
• Coordinate with all relevant Block level line departments and Mission Shakti for the flawless execution of the project
• Involving Mission Shakti department at the Block and ensuring quality communication, coordination and cooperation
• Establish, maintain and manage relationships with District Programme Lead, District Monitoring Lead and other related stakeholders
• Planning and handholding & capacity building support to the women entrepreneurs in the block
• Need based data capturing and providing evidential data for project purposes
• Ensuring timely participation in the project and Govt’s events
• Documentation and reporting of project’s deliverables to the District Team
• Lead consultative meetings with key stakeholders at the Block level

Eligibility criteria for Block Programme Lead

 Education

Graduate in any discipline

Work Experience

At least three to five years’ of experience, working on managing team (of 5+ members) and working with women empowerment programmes at least for a year; data management and reporting & documentation for a programme of similar nature, in the rural development sector

Key competencies

• Demonstrated work in project management, working with multi-stakeholder and experience working with Govt. departments
• Proven working experience in / as a project manager / coordinator in livelihoods and skill development sector
• Understanding and hands-on experience in working in women and economic development issues
• Excellent communication skills working with Govt. departments and women collectives
• Know-how of application of basic computer skills & softwares and mobile applications
• Knowledge of tools for data recording and presentation
• Working with multidisciplinary teams

Desired competencies

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, in Odia and English
• A quick learner
• Willingness and ability to take initiative and learn independently
• Willingness to travel to remote locations
• Comfortable managing multiple tasks
• Ability to collaborate in teamwork settings with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Comfortable with working in urgent situations considering the varied nature of stakeholders involved in the project
• A team player and have a problem-solving aptitude
• Ability to take initiative and work in an autonomous mode

Remuneration

BPL Position will pay consolidated remuneration of up to Rs 4 lakh per annum (Negotiable) based on previous experience and core competencies. Appointment will be on an annual contractual basis for the duration of the agreement between Gram Vikas and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Date of joining: Earliest possible (not later than 15 May 2024)

Location: Block HQ or a Central Location in the Districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal and Bargarh, Odisha

 Selection process

Interested, eligible persons may submit a written application consisting of:

1. Updated curriculum vitae
2. A brief note indicating the applicant’s suitability for the position applied

Shortlisted applicants will attend a personal interview towards final selection.

Applications should be sent by email to hr@gramvikas.org with the subject line Application to the position of Block Programme Lead

Last date of receipt of applications is 10th May 2024.