Departmentally Embedded PMU Staff – Horticulture

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Position Overview
The Embedded PMU Staff – Horticulture will anchor program delivery within the Department of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP). The role bridges horticulture policy, digital service delivery, and RSK operations, ensuring effective integration of departmental priorities with the GoAP Project Management Unit (PMU) framework.

Reports to:
PMU Lead

Location:
Department of Horticulture HQ (Vijayawada/Amaravati) with field travel

Tenure:
2 years, renewable based on performance

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Program Integration:
• Align horticulture schemes (area expansion, high-density planting, protected cultivation, IPM, post-harvest management, market infrastructure) with real-time data from RSKs and field systems.
• Data & Advisory Management:
• Validate crop area, production estimates, and pest/disease data; ensure field alerts translate into timely interventions through digital dashboards.
• Seasonal Coordination:
• Work with District Implementation Cells (DICs) to manage planting, flowering, harvesting, pest campaigns, and market operations.
• Digital Advisory:
• Develop Telugu advisories (WhatsApp/IVR/SMS) on nursery management, fertigation, pest control, harvesting, and price updates.
• Policy Convergence:
• Harmonize state and central schemes (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises, National Horticulture Board, crop insurance) for impact and alignment with AP Horticulture Mission and value chain programs.
• Strategic Collaboration:
• Support data interoperability, coordinate with M&E teams to track outcomes (income, value addition, women's participation), and channel ground insights into policy and planning.

Essential Capabilities

• Strong knowledge of AP's horticulture systems (fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, plantation crops).
• Familiarity with departmental infrastructure—nurseries, tissue culture labs, pack houses, cold storages.
• Experience with data systems (plantation census, protected cultivation registry, market price tracking).
• Technical grounding in production practices, pest/disease management, irrigation, and post-harvest handling.
• Ability to coordinate between field functionaries, FPOs, and market actors.
• Proficiency in Telugu (essential) and English (documentation).

Desired Capabilities

• Exposure to digital horticulture tools (AI-based advisories, remote sensing, IoT fertigation systems).
• Understanding of value chains, traceability, organic and GAP certification systems.
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder convergence projects involving government, FPOs, and private partners.
• Analytical and data visualization skills for policy communication.
• Familiarity with sustainable and climate-smart horticulture practices.

Skills Required
Technical:
Knowledge of fruit and vegetable crop systems, varietal selection, phenology, and pest control.

Digital:
Experience with horticulture MIS, GIS mapping, and dashboards (Power BI/Tableau).

Project Management:
Ability to prioritize, coordinate across schemes, and manage reporting deliverables.

Interpersonal:
Facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder management with farmers, FPOs, and processors.

Analytical:
Interpret field and market data for program insights and decisions.

Capacity Building:
Design and deliver training for field staff on digital literacy and evidence-based advisories.

Preferred Profile & Qualifications

• Education:
• M.Sc. (Horticulture/Agriculture) with specialization in Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post-Harvest Technology, Plant Protection, or Agribusiness.
• Experience:
• 6–10 years in horticulture development, extension, FPO promotion, value chains, or rural livelihoods.
• Attributes:
• Technically sound, digitally fluent, field-oriented, and collaborative professional passionate about improving farmer livelihoods.

Additional Benefits

• Field travel and communication allowance
• Professional development (exposure visits, certifications, sector events)
• Performance-linked incentives based on productivity, data accuracy, and service delivery

Other Details

• Cross-sectoral Role: Support integration with agriculture, water, and rural livelihoods programs.
• Data Governance: Maintain confidentiality and adhere to GoAP's data protection standards.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.
• The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.
• Only candidates who have India work authorization will be considered.

Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.