Job Title: Program Manager
Location: West Bengal,
Organization: SwitchON Foundation
Experience- 10 years and above
About SwitchON Foundation
SwitchON Foundation, established in 2008, is a renowned non-profit organization that drives impactful initiatives in Sustainable Agriculture, Renewable Energy Access, and Climate Change Mitigation. We specialize in building social enterprises that create scalable, transformative change, working across 10 states with a focus on agriculture, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. As a certified Great Place to Work, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive workplace and empowering women in leadership roles.
Role Overview
The SwitchON Foundation is committed to enhancing agricultural resilience in the face of climate change. Our focus is on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving farmers’ adaptive capacities, and strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as key drivers of inclusive rural development. The Program Manager will oversee and lead the implementation of climate-resilient agricultural initiatives and FPO capacity building across West Bengal and Maharashtra.
Key Responsibilities
Program Planning & Implementation:
- Lead the planning, design, and execution of climate-resilient agriculture programs across multiple locations.
- Develop and implement strategies to increase FPO business revenue and strengthen supply chain, procurement, and collective marketing initiatives.
- Establish market linkages with buyers, retailers, and government procurement agencies.
- Mobilize and enroll women farmers into FPOs while promoting their participation in leadership and decision-making roles.
- Conduct awareness programs and training on FPO benefits, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and negotiation skills.
- Promote Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) techniques, including sustainable farming practices, water conservation, and modern Agri-technologies.
- Develop sales strategies to achieve annual sales targets, ensuring quality control, branding, and packaging support for FPO products.
FPO Capacity Building:
- Strengthen existing FPOs and support the formation of new ones where needed.
- Provide guidance on governance, management, and financial sustainability.
- Train members in climate-smart agriculture, marketing, and financial management.
- Facilitate access to markets, government schemes, and financial resources.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build strong relationships with farmers, government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions.
- Advocate for climate-resilient agriculture policies at local, regional, and national levels.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:
- Develop and implement a monitoring framework to track program outcomes and impact.
- Ensure timely course corrections and prepare reports for donors, stakeholders, and senior management.
Resource Mobilization:
- Identify funding opportunities and assist in proposal preparation.
- Manage program budgets effectively, ensuring optimal resource utilization.
Knowledge Management & Innovation:
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops, field visits, and best practice exchanges.
- Stay updated on climate-smart agriculture trends, agroecology, and innovative FPO models.
Qualifications & Experience
Educational Qualification:
- A Graduate or Postgraduate Degree in Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences, or Social Development.
Experience:
- Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in Agri. Marketing/Value Chain Development and working with FPOs/Large-scale Farmers Groups or SHGs Program, etc.
- Experience working with women’s groups and empowering women in agriculture is highly preferred.
- At least 8-10 years of experience in managing programs related to agriculture, climate change, or rural development.
- Experience working with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in program design, implementation, and monitoring.
- Strong background in climate-resilient agricultural practices, sustainable agriculture, and rural livelihoods.
- Proven experience in government and donor relations, with a strong understanding of agencies such as NABARD.
Essential Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
- Excellent communication skills in English and the local language (Bengali or regional dialect).
- Proficiency in standard office software and program management tools.
- Strong marketing and outreach skills to promote FPO products.
- Leadership and team management experience, with the ability to guide diverse teams.
- Willingness to travel for field visits.
Reporting Structure
- The Program Manager will report to the Deputy General Manager in Kolkata and will manage teams across multiple locations in West Bengal and Maharashtra.
Travel Requirements
- Extensive travel within West Bengal, North East and Maharashtra is required. Compensation
- Annual CTC: 6-7 Lakh (Fixed) + Variable Pay + Commitment Bonus. Compensation will be aligned with qualifications, experience, and prior salary.
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
.jpg)