Program Officers (RL& CB) - Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (Apply by: 21 May 2014)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Program Officers- Rural Livelihoods and Capacity Building

Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation

1. POSITION VACANT: Program Officers- Rural Livelihoods and Capacity Building, New Delhi (Two vacancies) (PO-BRLF)

2. ORGANISATION BACKGROUND:

Government of India has initiated Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF) as an independent organization under the Societies Registration Act to facilitate civil society action in partnership with State and Central Government,

for transforming livelihoods and lives of rural households, with an emphasis on women, particularly in the Central Indian Tribal Region.

BRLF is a unique and first-of-its-kind initiative and the Foundation is constituted as a partnership between Government on the one hand and the private sector philanthropies, public and private sector undertakings (under Corporate Social Responsibility) on the other. Major functions of BRLF will be to provide financial grants to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to meet their human resource and institutional costs for up-scaling of proven interventions, invest in institutional strengthening of smaller CSOs and capacity building of professional human resources working at the grassroots. Alongside, BRLF will continuously facilitate projects receiving its grant support through all levels of Government to ensure smooth flow and utilization of Government funds to rural communities and poor households under the mega Centrally Sponsored Schemes for promoting livelihoods of the poor. The General Body and Executive Committee of BRLF are constituted of eminent individuals as well as ex-officio representatives from private philanthropies, public and private sector organizations, financial institutions, State Governments and Government of India.

A detailed note on BRLF is available at http://sams.co.in/BRLF-Intro.html

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

BRLF is now seeking to hire two Programme Officers-Rural Livelihood and Capacity Building (PO-BRLF)

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, BRLF, the PO-BRLFs must have a track record of working on government-CSO collaboration, credibility with both government and CSOs, and significant experience over the subject of rural development based on practical experience preferably in the Central Indian Tribal Region. The role requires the incumbent to have proven ability in fund raising, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, and developing, managing and fostering stakeholder relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

(1) Assess grant proposals and organization capabilities.
(2) Regularly monitor programme progress and track budget utilization, both at programme partner level and for the overall programme. Monitoring will include regular field visits, and six monthly technical and financial reviews.
(3) Assess capacity building needs of organizations; training needs
(4) Assess HR needs for the sector
(5) To review CSO narrative and financial reports and ensure compliance with contractual obligations with regards to implementation and reporting
(6) Review and regularly monitor the work of programme partners, and provide (or source) technical inputs and guidance to strengthen field and outreach activities. Assess impact of various programme interventions
(7) Assist in the development of Terms of Reference and identification of external consultants for rural livelihood research/impact studies.
(8) Facilitate smaller CSO/CBOs in proposal development, work plan and budget development
(9) Review half yearly and annual financial and technical progress reports submitted by programme partners, and track programme progress as per the agreed indicators for the programme. Consolidate the annual technical and financial progress reports into overall annual progress reports for the CEO and the Board.
(10) Ensure timely submission of annual work plan, fund requests and progress reports to donor agencies. 
(11) Review fund requests from programme partners, and recommend release of funds.
(12) Assist in the conduct of the annual programme audit, including consolidating responses from programme partners to audit queries.
(13) Maintain and regularly update the project information and management system and ensure that it is responsive to programmatic needs.
(14) Develop and improve knowledge and understanding of donor trends, issues and preferences and maintain a databank of knowledge related to this.
(15) In collaboration with the CEO develop and maintain strategic partnerships with potential donor agency partners and related government departments, corporations, academia and other relevant agencies.
(16) Facilitate programmatic partnership of CSOs and State Governments
(17) Be Instrumental in developing coordination mechanisms at State government for BRLF and for partners.
(18) Engage with Corporate, Banks and Donor agencies to explore programme partnership, Volunteer placements, technical support, and co-financing possibilities for BRLF and its partners
(19) Day-to-day liaison with CSOs and other stakeholders to develop close working relationships towards the efficient and effective implementation of program activities.
(20) Liaise with key government agencies and regular information sharing, and inclusion in dialogue opportunities and joint ventures at the State level.
(21) Prepare project documents, progress reports and other background documents as maybe required.
(22) Facilitate capturing of knowledge and Organize dialogues, reflection meetings to promote knowledge exchange, including on e-platforms.
(23) Assist in the preparation of documentation, budgets, narrative reports and presentations related to the programme for the BRLF Board.
(24) Assist in the development of funding proposals to potential donor agencies.
(25) Assist in arranging and coordinating meetings of the Project and Grantee selection committee and the Board , and provide support in the preparation of agenda papers, reports and meeting minutes.
(26) Contribute and assist in the conceptualization and organization of rural livelihood thematic seminars and conferences.
(27) Facilitate and support external monitoring and review missions to the programme, including the preparation of relevant background material on the programme.
(28)The Programme Officer will also be required to work closely with and participate actively and in a fully co-operative manner as a member of a broader team.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification: 

Post Graduate Degree in Rural Development, Social sciences, Development Studies and Development management, from a recognized university.

Experience:

(1) At least 10 years of experience in rural development, rural livelihoods, capacity building or related areas
(2) Proven experience in management and implementation of development programme in Rural development/livelihoods
(3) Experience of working with civil society, CSR, and philanthropic organizations
(4) Demonstrable expertise in grants management, monitoring, assessments and reviews
(5) Experience on local governance issues
(6) Experience of building Human resources for CSOs/State Missions/others
(7) Experience in development and delivery of training course desirable
(8) Demonstrated expertise in capacity building of Local governments, PRIs desirable
(9) Experience of working in Training institutes, academic institutions, designing academic course and curriculum, delivering MDPs, Executive programmes etc. would be desirable.
(10) Experience of working with government, or in Government created missions/societies is desirable
(11) Experience of working on rural enterprise development, income generation programmes, with producer companies, CBOs desirable
(12) Experience of working on rights based development, Natural resource management, FRA etc desirable
(13) Experience of working with Donor agencies is highly desired
(14) Strong report writing skills.

Language Requirements:

The positions require fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Hindi.

5. LOCATION: The positions will be based at New Delhi.

6. APPOINTMENT: These are full-time positions and the initial contract will be offered for a period of three years, renewable based on performance.

7. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply to po-brlf@sams.co.in with a cover letter outlining how you meet the expectations of BRLF, along with an updated resume, giving details of three references, current cost to organisation and expected compensation, by or before May 21, 2014. Please mention where you saw the job announcement. For further details please visit our website http://www.sams.co.in