Project Officer

Description
BACKGROUND:

Passing Gifts Private Limited (PGPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heifer International USA and it provides services in educating, consulting, training, advising, and providing professional and technical services to individuals, associations, and entities in India and abroad, particularly those who support or are working in the areas of social advancement and sustainable development. This position may also require service agreements, secondment agreements, between entities, etc.

PGPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Function
The Project Officer- Landscape will lead Passing Gifts project activities involving small holder farmers in a given landscape addressing issues in agriculture and allied activities & strengthening producer groups and farmer producer companies. The landscape officer is also expected develop high quality documents like, processes documents, success stories and case stories apart from internal and donor reports. S/he will lead development and execution of the overall strategic vision, goal and objectives of the agriculture & allied components of the project.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: (including approximate percentage effort)

• Support Project Implementation (25%)
• Guide partners in executing project interventions in the context of landscape, ensuring timely and on-budget delivery per the project plan.
• Provide technical support on sustainable agriculture practices, facilitate staff selection and capacity building, and oversee training delivery, field supervision, and follow-up.
• Ensure tools like PMD Pro (project charter, RACI, Gantt Chart) are used effectively and assets are tracked and delivered on schedule.
• Network with line agencies, agricultural universities, and KVKs to leverage resources.
• Support partners in securing co-funding and promote the project model to stakeholders.
• Facilitating bank and market linkages by engaging with private sectors.
• Program Monitoring and Reporting (25%)
• Monitor partner compliance with monitoring and evaluation requirements, reviewing monthly progress (physical and financial) and ensuring timely report submission.
• Conduct regular field visits for quality control, support baseline and impact surveys, and facilitate stakeholder visits.
• Document best practices for sharing and generate communication material in coordination with communication team.
• Promote Sustainable Agriculture Practices (25%)
• Lead the development and implementation of an agricultural extension model, focusing on quality, diversification, and scalability.
• Conduct market research, promote practices like System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and kitchen gardens, and support farmer entrepreneurship through horticulture and agribusiness development.
• Landscape mapping and planning
• Lead intervention in Good Agriculture Practices, Landscape Approach, Agroforestry and Climate Smart Agriculture.
• Data management and Documentation (15%)
• Document PRA tools, participatory GIS maps, and information gathered from various exercises and compile it, visualize in charts and graphs and make it presentable for slides and reports.
• Prepare and share project reports, MIS, and agribusiness plans, in coordination with MELS team.
• Optimize Agricultural Practices (10%)
• Develop and disseminate a package of practices in collaboration with agricultural institutions.
• Conduct or facilitate crop, soil, and weather modeling, provide advisory sessions
• Promote regenerative agriculture, landscape approach, Nature based solutions to strengthen Caring for the earth practises in the program
• Strengthen project team to maintain records of yields and analyze agricultural data to enhance productivity and sustainability.

May perform other job-specific duties as assigned (5%)

Qualifications And Skills

• A bachelor's degree in agriculture related field, having experience in planning and implementing agricultural development and/or livelihood related initiatives at the field level and minimum of four (4) years of experience, OR
• A master's degree or equivalent from a recognized university in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Enterprise Development or other related field and minimum of two (2) years of experience.
• Experience with the commercial sector, agribusiness development in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development is added advantage.
• Planning and Management, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or other relevant qualifications are added preferences.
• Experience in working with FPOs and their businesses is highly recommended.
• Clear understanding of goat, backyard poultry, vegetable, and agri-product value chains.
• Innovative, analytical, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Knowledge of enterprise development and linkages to poverty alleviation.

Essential Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate challenging situations to achieve goals and deadlines.
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
• Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.
• Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and to always maintain confidentiality.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• Fluent in Hindi, English, and local language, both spoken and written.
• Have an interest in animal/agriculture community development.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, web designing, collaboration platforms and tools, and electronic mail software (Microsoft preferred).
• Constant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time.