Access is looking for State Project Manager

Website Access

About ACCESS:

ACCESS Development Services is a national livelihoods promotion organization with a focus on incubating innovations and developing sustainable models for livelihoods promotion of the poor. To this end, ACCESS is structured uniquely to work at all levels of the value chain – implementing programmes on the ground (Tier I), working with Civil Society Organizations, Government Departments, Corporate sector, and Multilateral / Bilateral Agencies (Tier II) as also undertaking national initiatives to influence and support policy initiatives and strengthening
the enabling environment (Tier III). ACCESS, with its head office in New Delhi has operations across 14 states through 36 ongoing projects. More at www.accessdev.org

Project Summary:
ACCESS has been assigned the role of the Fund Manager for IFAD’s programme titled Building Resilient Farming Communities through Investments in Agro-ecology Value Chains Project (IAVCP). The role of the Fund Manager involves implementation of two components:

Component 1 – Facilitation of brokering, linkages and investment preparedness to develop public-private investment proposals for commercial agroecology value chains. The deliverables include conducting a comprehensive market study, mapping of key value chains in each focus state, identifying potential public and private stakeholders and brokering viable Public-Private-Producer partnerships for linking agri MSMEs, and scouting eligible potential entrepreneurs and FPOs for investment and assisting them in developing sound proposals for grant funding.

Component 2 – Investment support and de-risking for 4Ps to facilitate start-up capital investments linked to the integrated agro-ecology production systems. Investments in form of grants will be made in potential Agri Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Producer Organization Enterprises (POEs), engaged in – production/ post-harvest management/ primary processing and value addition activities in agriculture and horticulture crops/ as well as agri-allied products and activities such as non-timber forest produce (NTFP), livestock, piggery, poultry, fishery, etc.

Position Summary:
The position of State Manager will be part of the Fund Manager team, and will be responsible for providing state level coordination support for the Component 2 of the project. The person should have experience in working with Farmer Producer Organizations/ Producer Enterprises/ MSEs and related financing for agri-businesses and farmer producer collectives, and expected to have a good understanding of agri/agri allied value chains and agroecology principles.

Responsibilities:
▪ Scout for potential POEs/Agri MSEs in the states and maintaining the state level database of enterprises.
▪ Conducting preliminary screening of concept notes and detailed applications received for the agro ecology grant.
▪ Support Fund Manager team in conducting internal due diligence of applicants including visits and completing required compliance checklists of applicant POEs/MSEs in the states
▪ Regularly engaging with grantees and assigned Business Coaches on progress of grantees on fund utilization, business performance and investment plans and providing support where required
▪ Highlighting to Fund Manager core team on areas of concern on compliances, fund utilization and lags in progress
▪ Reporting to Fund Manager core team on performance of Business Coaches in the state
▪ Follow-ups with grantees in the state/region on regular reporting in Grant Management system
▪ Regularly engage with stakeholders at state and district level including relevant government line departments, market players, service providers, banks and other financial institutions
▪ Supporting the responsible Core Team members in organizing state level convenings such as Learning event, workshops, roundtables etc.
▪ Supporting grantees for linkages and meetings with stakeholders – government, market players, intermediaries, banks etc. and facilitating partnerships at state level
▪ Any other task as assigned by Fund Manager Team Leader from time to time

Qualification & Experience:
▪ Masters Degree in Agriculture/Agriculture Technology/ Agri business management/ Rural Development/ Rural Management/ Development Management/ Social Work and related domains
▪ Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in promoting agriculture based livelihoods, agri business financing, promoting producer/farmer collectives etc.

Travel Requirement
• Willingness to travel in the programme states (expected to be 5) across India as required for implementing the project efficiently.

ACCESS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The deadline is December 28th, 2023.

To apply for this job please visit docs.google.com.

Skip to content