Job Description

Position Title: Program Associates (3)

Status: Full Time – initially for eight months with possibility of continuation

Location: West Bengal districts

Classification: Not applicable. Not eligible for overtime pay.

Date: 14 October 2024

Gram Niyojan Kendra (GNK) is a national level organization working towards transforming the lives of women and children from disadvantaged and deprived communities. Started in 1977, Gram Niyojan Kendra has implemented comprehensive community development interventions across various states of the country.

Gram Niyojan Kendra has been instrumental in strengthening grassroot level organisations engaged in rural transformation by building their capacities and support towards organisational development. In West Bengal, GNK is working with State Rural Livelihoods Mission (WBSRLM) with a view to promoting land literacy within the SHG network and subsequently developing institutions at village level run by trained women to deliver online land services to community.

Job Summary: GNK is hiring persons for 3 Program Associate position, (preference for women candidates) for working within the community and SHG network to promote women land literacy and facilitating establishment of women-run land service centres in all districts of West Bengal. The program is fund supported and implemented in collaboration with Landesa (US based international non-profit). The Program Associate will be responsible for coordination and implementation of program strategy in several districts of the state.

The goal of the program is to improve the lives of rural women and men by providing secure land rights and accessing benefits of several government schemes by having updated land records. The Program Associate is responsible for exploring and maintaining key partner relationships with program partners, community, and local government.

The Program Associate will manage projects in district(s), monitor work and support Program Managers in evaluating the progress of the programme to ensure that departmental, organizational objectives and operating requirements are met and are in line with the objectives.

The Program Associate will also support/facilitate in the assessment of land related issues, review and revision of existing training materials, and production of new materials and conducting trainings at various levels

Reporting and relationships: Reports to Program Manager. Works in close collaboration with team members, local government and self-help group network.

Travel requirements: Extensive local travel in rural areas of West Bengal, occasional regional travel, total up to 70% of time, including overnight travel to rural areas.

Position Title: Program Associates (3) - (Landesa Project)

Location: Districts in West Bengal

Reporting to: Programme Manager

Honorarium: Rs. 30000 – Rs. 35,000 (inclusive of all the benefits and based on candidate’s experience)

Essential job functions:

Program implementation:

• Meet, mobilise and in regular contact with Government institutions, self-help group networks, community leaders and other non-profits and CSOs.

• Work under the supervision of Program Manager GNK to develop and implement program strategy in the selected district(s) and explore, cultivate partnership with various stakeholders, including Government institution, self-help group networks, community leaders and other non-profits and CSOs.

• Support and facilitate the Program Manager to ensure program implementation with high quality, within budget and on time.

• Facilitate in organising training of all panchayat leaders on WLL.

• Provide training and capacity development support on land governance system to the SHG network (Sangha) and rural women to deliver land services to community.

• Monitor progress against program workplan and organizational metrics and milestones.

• Support Program Manager in developing program management reports with field insights as and when required

Required knowledge, skills and abilities:

• A deep commitment to the mission of a better, safer future for women and men through land ownership and secure land rights.

• Gender sensitivity and commitment to the empowerment of vulnerable communities, including ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples.

• Highly energetic with strong desire to work with the women’s groups, and rural community and travel extensively in rural areas. Ability to work in teams. Creative and independent thinker with a track record of success in achieving organizational objectives.

• Training skills, ability to build relationship, raise program issues with local administration, women SHG network, good written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and partners and at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to think creatively and strategically to mediate and negotiate successfully with government stakeholders, individuals and partners.

Education and experience:

• Postgraduate with professional degree in a relevant field (law, rural development, sociology, economics, agriculture etc.).

• At least three years of relevant experience in program implementation.

• Knowledge and exposure to rural development issues, Panchayati Raj institution, structure and working of self-help group networks under West Bengal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (WBSRLM), knowledge on land governance system is desirable.

• MS Office 365 proficiency.

• Language skills: Bengali and English both written and verbal,

Work environment and working conditions: While performing the job responsibilities, the employee may be exposed to working conditions and hazards which are prevalent in the location of assignment. The employee has to travel extensively in rural areas of districts of work implementation. When traveling, the employee may be exposed to physical hazards (illnesses, noise, extreme temperatures, wet or humid climates, etc.), road hazards (unfinished/dirt roads, potholes, traffic-related accidents, etc.), and atmospheric conditions (odours, dust, fumes, smog, etc.).

Additional Comments: The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

GNK is an equal opportunity employer. Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Processes:

Eligible candidates, interested in this position are requested to apply to submitting their updated CV/ biodata along with a précis (not exceeding 500 words) explaining why you think you are suitable for the above mentioned job position within 25th October 2024. The position for which the application is made should be clearly written in the subject line. Applications be addressed to the Secretary, Gram Niyojan Kendra, Ghaziabad, through gramniyojan@gmail.com mentioning the post you have applied for in the subject line. Eligible women candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Only short listed candidates will be called for the interview.

About Company

Gram Niyojan Kendra was founded by the husband - wife team of Late Prof. K.K. Mukherjee and Sutapa Mukherjee in January 1977.

The vision for Gram Niyojan Kendra was borne by the forces sweeping the country in mid 70’s promoting large scale voluntary action for rural transformation. The initial mission and vision of Gram Niyojan Kendra was to guide and support the developmental processes undertaken by activists and voluntary organizations, by providing them knowledge and building their capacities for undertaking development action

The guiding forces of the Kendra included Late Shri K.S. Radhakrishna (former Secretary, Gandhi Peace Foundation) Late Shri Karan Bhai (Director, Gandhi Ashram), Late Ch. Bhagwant Singh (Agriculture Production Commissioner, Government of U.P), Late Dr. Ram Das (Director, Institute of Planning and Training, Government of U.P.), Late Shri Prem Bhai (Secretary, Banwasi Sewa Ashram and also Jamnalal Bajaj award winner) Late Prof. K.D. Gangrade (Retd Professor Delhi School of Social Work).

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