Young Professional – Enterprise Development in Odisha | WASSAN | ₹4.2-4.8 LPA

Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN)

WASSAN is a network-based organisation based in Hyderabad that works to improve the quality of large public programmes in natural resources management and livelihoods. Its work focuses on rainfed areas, where farming depends on the rain rather than on irrigation, and where families often carry the greatest risk. WASSAN takes part in policy work at both state and national level, and has shaped watershed policies in several states and with the Government of India. It also works with partners across states as part of the RRA Network on rainfed agriculture. In Odisha, WASSAN partners with the state government on programmes such as Shree Anna Abhiyan and Integrated Farming Systems. This role sits within WASSAN's Odisha programme team, which supports women's self-help groups to build and run millet food and processing enterprises.

Role

As a Young Professional for Enterprise Development, you will work closely with women's self-help groups (WSHGs) in the districts of Odisha to help them set up and grow millet food and processing enterprises. The work spans building the groups' skills, connecting them to markets, finance and technical help, and keeping careful records of what changes on the ground. You will spend a large part of your time in the field, working alongside community groups, NGOs, and officials from the Agriculture and other line departments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with women's self-help groups, NGOs, other community-based organisations, the WASSAN team, and government officials of the Agriculture and other line departments.
• Support women's self-help groups on millet and food-based enterprises, processing units, consumption, institution building, and marketing.
• Develop links for the groups to markets, finance, and technical support.
• Work with partners, collaborators, and donors to strengthen the groups.
• Organise training, reviews, meetings, and workshops, and manage programme activities day to day.
• Monitor project activities and give regular handholding support to the groups.
• Prepare reference and reading materials, modules, manuals, posters, IEC materials, videos, and articles.
• Develop the monitoring and evaluation plan, prepare consolidated progress reports, and keep the MIS database up to date.
• Document business plans, detailed project reports, market plans, and success stories, and share them through different channels and platforms.
• Make regular field visits to project locations and hold review meetings with the groups to keep implementation on track.
• Represent WASSAN at forums, workshops, seminars, and conferences related to the groups' work.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2 years of work experience, or a Master's degree in Agriculture, Rural Development, Rural Management, Development Studies, or Social Work.
• Age not more than 32 years.
• Freshers may also apply for this position.
• Field experience in implementing or supervising work with women's self-help groups is preferred.
• Experience of working on millets is an advantage.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office and Google web applications.
• Basic knowledge of budgeting and accounts is an added advantage.
• Strong spoken and written communication and negotiation skills in Odia (highly preferable), English, and Hindi.
• Ability to work independently and meet performance objectives and deliverables.
• Ability to work in a team and build team spirit.
• Willingness to travel regularly to field locations across the district.
• Own bike for commuting and a valid driving licence.
• Willingness to be based in any district of Odisha.

Benefits

• A two-year contract, following an initial probation period of six months, extendable based on performance and the project period.
• Direct work with the Government of Odisha on state programmes such as Shree Anna Abhiyan and Integrated Farming Systems.
• Hands-on experience in building rural enterprises with women's collectives, from training through to markets.
• Learning across the WASSAN network and the wider RRA Network on rainfed agriculture.
• WASSAN believes in equal employment opportunity and strongly encourages women to apply.

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