Project Manager – Oorja 

Oorja  is an award-winning social enterprise based in New Delhi. We are on a mission to empower 10 million farmers globally by 2030 with the agricultural solutions they need to sustainably increase their income and quality of life.

Oorja is a Farming-as-a-Service company working at the intersection of sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. Our focus is on powering beneficial appliances that help users to generate stable incomes, create jobs, and mitigate carbon emissions. Despite urgent need, around 90% of marginal farmers cannot afford to invest in solar technology for their farms. Oorja wants to close this gap. We finance decentralised solar energy systems for community use. Oorja sells irrigation, milling and cooling as affordable services on a pay-per-use basis to smallholder farmers, without any upfront cost to them. We operate in rural areas of northern India where farmers are currently reliant on polluting and expensive diesel motors for their energy needs.

Our core strengths are our inclusive, farmer-centric business model and a diverse and driven team with shared passion for sustainable development. Some of our funders and partners in this mission are:

Full-time, permanent position | Senior Management Base

 Earliest start 1 June 2022

Location: Remote work-from-home (India based)

Role Background

Oorja is seeking a Project Manager with overall experience of 7 to 8 years including 1 to 2 years as a manager in the international development sector. You must have strong analytical abilities, both quantitative and qualitative.

As Project Manager, you will be responsible for grant fundraising, impact management and fostering and maintaining partnerships. You will also lead research, strategy development and implementation for new services and offerings including market linkages and regional and international expansion. You will manage a small but stellar team and oversee donor and investor reporting and organisational communications. You should have a demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in an entrepreneurial atmosphere and to manage different stakeholders. You must have demonstrated fluency with English speaking and writing and strong organisational skills. Your passion for Oorja’s work will be evidenced by a strong interest and prior exposure to issues such as economic development, clean energy, sustainable agriculture or the environment.

Key Duties

• Lead grant fundraising efforts: application and proposal writing, preparing and presenting
• Partnership building and relationship management (funders, investors, corporate entities, local/grassroots NGOs, FPCs, etc.)
• Oversee quantitative and qualitative impact management and measurement efforts based on M&E framework
• Strategy development and implementation of market linkage and agri-business value chain for farmers’ produce
• Research and identification of opportunities and partners for expansion into new geographies and markets
• Strategy development and implementation of new farmer services (inputs, training, advisory, finance, etc.)
• Oversee corporate communications and grant funder and investor reporting

Roles and Responsibilities

The Project Manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Grant fundraising: drafting, reviewing and submitting applications or proposals for fundraising from foundations, DFIs, business competitions and other donors; preparing and presenting proposals to grant funders and donors; conducting preliminary calls and liaising with them throughout the engagement
• Partnership development and relationship management with (1) funders, investors and corporate entities, and (2) local/grassroots partnerships (farmer associations, cooperatives, FPCs, FPOs, NGOs, buyers, retailers, etc.) in current and new geographies within India, including eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
• Assess and select new partner organisations; negotiate roles and finalise MoUs; liaise with existing partners; develop and implement new collaborative projects; translate insights gained from partner meetings into recommendations and plans
• Impact management and measurement: implementation of the M&E framework; supervision of collection of baseline and periodic impact data using standardised surveys; oversee data collection, cleaning, storage and management; data analysis and visualisation in Excel, Tableau, or other suitable format; calculation and presentation of key impact metrics and SROI
•  Report writing for internal and external audiences: project reports; performance and impact reports; annual reports; reporting to investors and donors in designated format
• Oversee development of training and capacity building modules to strengthen farmers’ agricultural livelihoods in conjunction with energy services being delivered by Oorja (crop and input selection, cultivation practices for field and horticultural crops, intercropping, multicropping, yield enhancement, plant and soil health, pest and disease control, effective irrigation, post-harvest storage and processing, agronomy, sustainable agricultural practices, agricultural innovations, etc.)
• Oversee the implementation of farmer training and capacity building programs (and eventually advisory services): review video and print material, oversee the organisation and delivery of participatory workshops, review monthly training reports sent by field staff to track farmers’ reached and trained and link this to the services provided
• Oversee corporate communications to raise the organisation’s profile among different circles and attract the attention of potential funders and collaborators: monthly newsletters, blogs, contributions to publications, media and conferences
• Conduct desk research and establish partnerships for expansion into new geographies and markets: identify, analyse and select target geographies in South/Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa; identify potential collaborators; research and develop market entry strategy; oversee the seamless execution and monitoring of pilot projects
• Research, strategy development and overseeing the implementation of new service offerings for farmers including advisory services, quality inputs (seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, etc.), small farm equipment rental, etc.
• Lead the programmatic design and support with implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies to increase the representation of women along Oorja’s entire value chain, including as customers, operators, payment collectors, employees, etc., in collaboration with technical assistance providers
• Support with strategy development in other areas of the business, including launch of new agricultural energy services, advisory services, rental services, mobile app development, product sales, etc.
• Line management of a small team including Project Associate and Project Officer

Qualifications

• 7 to 8 years’ overall work experience, including 1 to 2 years managing a team • Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience managing partnerships including funders; working with an agribusiness, farmer collectives or a clean energy company would be a plus
• Successful track record in raising funding and writing fundraising applications and proposals; having an established network with relevant investors and donors will be a major advantage

Competencies and Abilities

• Expertise in impact monitoring and evaluation methodologies, tools and software
• High degree of computer literacy with command of MS Office, especially Excel; knowledge of Google Data Studio and/or graphic design software or platforms (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Prezi or equivalent) will be an advantage
• Superior organisational and time management skills and attention to detail
• Impeccable written English and excellent communication abilities, both verbal and written
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently to meet deadlines and adhere to quality standards
• Cultivate an independent understanding of issues including social/economic development, agriculture, water and energy, with a focus on rural India
• Able to work within a multidisciplinary, international team with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Strong team spirit and commitment to the environmental and social mission which drives Oorja
• Ability and willingness to travel to rural areas of India for fieldwork (<10%)

What We Offer

• A highly enthusiastic, self-driven international team
• A melting pot of diverse talents – development professionals, researchers, engineers, farmers, scientists and community mobilisers
• Competitive remuneration package
• Comprehensive health and accident insurance
• Interesting field of work where you will build your understanding of solar technology and the development sector
• Close mentorship for career development
• A flat and open work culture and friendly work environment
• Experience and responsibility at an award-winning company in the renewable energy and agritech industries, among of the fastest growing segments of the global economy
• The chance to make a difference and to help improve people’s lives.

How to Apply

If this exciting opportunity appeals to you, please send your fill the brief online application form here: www.oorjasolutions.org/apply-now.

Application Process Oorja conducts a 3-stage evaluation process. First, a short preliminary interview (45 min) about your background, experience and motivation. Second, a longer interview (2-3 hours) is arranged including assignments to further assess your skills and adequacy for the role, interactions with the team and fit within the organisational culture. Third, a final interview (30 min) with Oorja’s external advisors to assess your long-term aspirations and alignment of your learning and growth objectives with the company’s mission and goals. Successful candidates in each stage will be notified by email.

Equal Opportunities and Non-Discrimination Statement

Oorja Development Solutions India Private Limited is an equal opportunity employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, sexual orientation, marital status or disability status. Oorja endeavours to provide a safe, diverse and comfortable workplace. Oorja will not adversely discriminate, and prohibits other adverse discrimination at the workplace, against any person on its premises, whether that person is in its employment or otherwise. If you can contribute to our organisation, you are welcome, regardless of your roots, religion, age or gender.>