Consultant, FPO Strengthening in Araria | Heifer International

Heifer International

Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with more than 46 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way while caring for the Earth. Heifer works with farmers and their communities to identify and invest in business opportunities that deliver living incomes, currently operating in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Heifer International began working in India in 1955, delivering cattle to communities through the Ministry of Agriculture, and has since supported almost 119,000 farming families with technical training to improve animal management and build resilience through diversified livelihoods. Heifer's work in India is organised into Signature Programs including initiatives in Bihar and Odisha focused on large-scale, measurable, and sustainable impact through partnerships with farmers, governments, and the private sector.

Role

The Consultant, FPO Strengthening will support the formation and strengthening of women-led Goat Producer Companies and Producer Groups under JSPVAT 2.0, focusing on governance, shareholder engagement and institutional capacity building. Based in Araria and South Bihar, running until April 2029, with 2 positions open.

Responsibilities

• Establish and operationalize new GPCs, mobilize shareholders and facilitate incorporation processes.
• Build governance structures and compliance systems for GPCs.
• Implement governance frameworks and standard operating procedures, facilitate - - Board meetings and build leadership capacity.
• Develop annual business and operational plans for GPCs.
• Link PGs to GPCs and strengthen aggregation systems, promoting collective marketing and member participation.
• Organize training, workshops and exposure visits, and build leadership among women producers.
• Maintain records, track progress, document best practices and support audits.
• Prepare timely and reliable reports for internal and donor use.
• Travel extensively across districts, blocks, villages, PGs and GPC operational areas.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Rural Management, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Development Studies, Social Work, Cooperative Management, Commerce or a related field.
• 3 to 6 years of experience in FPO/FPC strengthening, institution building, rural livelihoods, producer collectives or enterprise development.
• Experience with SHGs, PGs, FPOs, governance strengthening and government programs preferred.
• Strong understanding of FPOs, Producer Companies and community enterprises.
• Skills in institution building, governance, compliance and business management.
• Facilitation, training and capacity building expertise.
• Effective communication, documentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and digital tools.
• Fluency in Hindi and local languages of Bihar.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Commitment to rural livelihoods and women's economic empowerment.

Benefits

• Work on a flagship agricultural transformation programme backed by the Gates Foundation and the Government of Bihar.
• Direct role in building women led goat enterprises and strengthening producer owned institutions.
• Close coordination with JEEViKA state livestock teams, DPCUs and community cadres.
• Long-term project engagement through April 2029, with year-wise growth in scope and responsibility.

Apply

Interested candidates can apply through the below link

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