Job Description

Hiring for: Sr. Officer (FPO)



Location : Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) Odisha, India (On-site)


### About the job


Job Location: Gunupur, Rayagada, Odisha


A little bit about who we are



At WOTR, we are committed to tackling the key causes of rural poverty by rejuvenating ecosystems and building the community's resilience to climate change by enhancing water availability, increasing land and agricultural productivity, diversifying livelihoods, empowering women, and strengthening the health and well-being of vulnerable rural communities.



WOTR brings together practitioners, academics, researchers, trainers, and policy makers to work collaboratively in building the resilience of rural communities. Our partners, including donors and government agencies stand resolutely behind us to effect this.



To date we have worked in 10 states in 5107 villages and impacted 4.95 million people in our 30 years of existence.



To know more about us, do visit us at: www.wotr.org


Who are we looking for?



WOTR is on the lookout for a Sr. Officer (FPO) to promote Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) and establish the required systems and processes for internal governance and management--production, marketing, finance, MIS, and statutory compliance--to sustain the organization and provide significant benefit to its members.


As Sr. Officer (FPO) you will:


• Generate awareness and mobilize farmers, organize them, and incorporate them into the FPO.
• Establish systems and processes for updating MIS and accounts, conducting statutory audits, and managing finance.
• Facilitate processes and develop systems for regular board meetings, ensuring statutory compliance and diligently following other governance procedures based on best practices.
• Prepare business development proposals and detailed roadmaps for FPOs.
• Build linkages with stakeholders relevant to the FPO ecosystem.
• Develop and manage relationships with financial institutions to establish necessary credit linkages.
• Carry out capacity-building initiatives for the shareholders and members of the FPO, educating them on various schemes offered by banks, NABARD, government and non-government institutions.
• Ensure the achievement of farm productivity standards set for the farmers.
• Set up systems for input procurement and distribution, output aggregation, and provide training to farmers on primary processing such as grading, sorting, and packaging.
• Build both input and output market linkages and establish connections with minimum support price and insurance programs.
• Present the progress of the FPO in relevant forums.
• Assume any other responsibilities as deemed necessary for the role.


Apply if you have:


Qualifications:


• A BSc/MSc degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agro-Forestry or a related field, or an MBA in Agribusiness, Rural Management, Rural Development, or an equivalent degree from a recognized university/institute.


Experience:


• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in FPO management and working with FPOs, large-scale Farmers Groups, or SHGs Programs, etc.
• Hands-on experience in Agri Marketing, Value Chain Development, or Business Development will be considered an added advantage.


Essential Skills and Competencies:


• Fluency in both verbal and written English and Hindi; proficiency in a local language will be considered an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of email and office software such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience in Agriculture, Marketing, Farmer Producer Organizations, Capacity Building, and Training.
• Demonstrable marketing skills
• An understanding and application of sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices to conserve natural resources and promote environmental stewardship.
• Well-versed in Agronomy and good agricultural practices.


To Apply: Write to careers@wotr.org with an updated CV with subject line ' •Re: Sr. Officer (FPO)'•