Kudumbashree-NRO calls for applications from interested persons for the position listed below. General conditions of application and format for application are provided.

1. Programme Manager –  Panchayati Raj Institutions -Community Based Organization (PRI-CBO) Convergence Domain

Job Description:

• Will have overall responsibility for managing the PRI-CBO convergence interventions across partner States
• Will be responsible for interface with National Rural Livelihood Mission and Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Panchayati Raj
• Will be responsible for interface with State Rural Livelihood Missions and other respective areas of work
• Will be responsible for setting strategies in place for national level programmes
• Will have to ensure that effective project monitoring mechanisms are in place
• Will be responsible for managing a team of Professionals and community professionals
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and effective knowledge management within the team to ensure smooth program delivery
• Will have to carry out the responsibilities assigned by Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director from time to time
• The post will be based out of Trivandrum with extensive travel to States.

Qualification and Experience:

1. Masters in Social Work/ Public Administration /Development/ Rural Management / Public Policy or an equivalent degree from an institute of repute
2. 7 years of work experience, with at least 4 years of program management/program leadership experience.
3. Preference will be given to candidates with experience of community development, decentralised governance and understanding of Panchayati Raj system.

Personal skills and qualities:

• Substantial knowledge of programme and organisational management
• Experience of managing and working with large teams
• Excellent communication skills in Hindi and English
• Strong writing skills
• Proficiency in MS Office suite
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment
• High level of self-motivation, initiative, and creativity
• Willingness to travel extensively for work
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to build networks, engage with diverse stakeholders and work with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with large, small and cross-functional teams in a participatory and consensus - oriented environment.

Expected Remuneration

Consolidated remuneration of Rs. 90,000 per month and communication allowance of Rs. 1000 per month.

Terms of appointment

The appointment to all the above positions shall be on an annual contract basis. The contract may be renewed, subject to review of performance of the incumbent and continuation of the NRO Project. Consolidated monthly remuneration fixed according to the pay details as approved will be paid.

Selection Process

The applicants will be selected through a multi-stage selection process:

1. Short-listing of suitable candidates based on review of application in the prescribed format
2. Written test for the position
3. Group Discussions, Presentations and/or Personal Interviews for final selection

Submission of applications

Applications for the positions will consist of the following.

1. Cover Letter
2. Application in the given format
3. Copy of Curriculum Vitae

Completed applications super scribed with “ Application for the post of Programme Manager - Convergence” in Kudumbashree-NRO”, is to be received at the following address on or before 15th November 2022.

Address to submit applications

The Executive Director, Kudumbashree NRO, III Floor , Carmel Towers, Vazhuthacaud P O Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014

Completed signed applications may also be submitted through email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Note:

• Only applications complete in all respects will be considered. Cover letter, Application in the given format and copy of CV should be submitted together and should be signed by the applicant.
• Kudumbashree is an equal opportunity employer
• Be in pdf format and all documents should carry the signature of the applicant
• No supporting document is to be provided along with the application. Applicants may provide authenticated copies of certificates & credentials when asked for, and make available originals for verification.
• No enquiries related to the Selection process will be entertained.

On 29^th June 2019, in Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh, a job card mela was organised in Malwan Gram Panchayat. Job card applications were submitted by the Convergence- Community Resource person (CCRP) Rita didi. The concerned applications were submitted almost three months back and after consistent follow up, 16 beneficiaries were able to get job cards. However it was not easy task. The Rozgar sewak of the Panchayat was skeptic since she felt that people do not work and hence there was no point of giving them job cards. It was due to the persistent efforts of Rita didi the people were able to get job cards.

The mentor and Field Coordinator from KS NRO came up with the idea of having a job card mela so that the women would feel encouraged to work in MGNREGA and it would be an opportunity for them to interact with the Pradhan.  Thus 29^th June was set as the date. The Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) was informed about the plan, women were mobilised and Pradhan ji was invited. Unfortunately on the day of mela things did not go as planned. Women turned up in good numbers and there was a sense of excitement but Pradhan ji did not come on time and everyone had to wait for almost an hour. At the end, he did come which was met with cheer. CLF president – Sadhna didi was also there. Pradhan ji himself gave each woman a job card and before leaving the venue he informed people about the wage rate in MGNREGA and told that if anyone was interested to work, they could directly approach him. The event gave women hope that despite things did not go as planned, around 16 women did receive job cards under MGNREGA. Based on the success of this mela, the project will focus on organising such job card melas and also try to create awareness among women about MGNREGA and its benefits.

PINKY VAISHNAV

Community Resource Person for Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EP), Ekta Micro Enterprise Consultant Group – Block Resource Centre (Enterprise Promotion), Begun Tehsil, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

The word determination best defines the story of Pinky Vaishnav from Nandwai village of Begun, Chittorgarh. Her husband’s untimely demise in 2015 left behind Pinky and her two children in their dilapidated house with no agricultural land and Pinky took up tailoring to earn a living. It was in 2016 that SVEP implementation started in Begun by Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (RGAVP) with Kudumbashree NRO as its partner for mentoring and technical support. With her 8^th standard education Pinky had the bare minimum qualification to attend the CRP-EP selection process and she cleared the examination. She was rigorously trained under the programme in business development and emerged as the President of Ekta MEC Group due to her leadership qualities.

Pinky proved to be an effective CRP-EP and has supported 133 micro enterprises in Begun. As the president of the MEC group, she spearheaded the special enterprise interventions like “Aravalli Village Products” which developed products like Forest Honey, Spices, Dairy Products, Masalas, etc. She formed and became a part of the Market Organising and Management Team within her group and generated revenues of over a million rupees in the 2018-19 financial year.

Her determination has moved mountains in her life. She provided a decent education to her children and reconstructed her old house. She even accomplished her long-standing dream of completing her school education in 2018 as she cleared her 12^th Board Examination. Pinky today dreams of transforming her Ekta MEC Group into a well-oiled machine for rural entrepreneurship promotion with each member in the group specialising in one or the other major function. She is also a leading advocate for BRC undertaking common facilitation and has introduced such activities under the Aravalli initiative. Through her commendable service in the BRC and for the community she earns Rs. 10,847 per month on an average. When one interacts with Pinky one gets to know that she is a woman with a vision. And her vision for Begun BRC and Ekta MEC group will definitely move mountains in the lives of aspiring entrepreneurs in Begun.

Asha Tailor

Community Resource Person for Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EP), Prerana Micro Enterprise Consultant Group – Block Resource Centre (Enterprise Promotion), Kekri Tehsil, Ajmer, Rajasthan

The story of Asha Tailor may resonate with hundreds of CRPs-EP all over India. It is their story of a shared journey, a vision and their life transforming experience with Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP). SVEP implementation in Kekri by Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (RGAVP) commenced in 2016 with Kudumbashree NRO as its partner for mentoring and technical support. Asha, a humble housewife and a post-graduate from Kadera village of Ajmer was inspired by the idea of SVEP and joined the programme in early 2016 as a CRP-EP in Kekri BRC. After undergoing a rigorous training under the programme, Asha had a new-found purpose in life which was otherwise confined to the thresholds of her house and neighbourhood despite being highly educated. 

Asha’s education and skills were instrumental in her success as a CRP-EP as she excelled in all aspects of a demanding multifaceted role expected out of one. Most remarkable is the fact that she is most driven by her vision; to educate and promote rural entrepreneurship among the youth and thereby enable the next generation to recognise entrepreneurship as a dignified and sustainable source of livelihood. She always persuades SHG women to encourage job-seekers in their family to start a micro enterprise. 

“People do not realize the importance of rural entrepreneurship. They fail to see the potential it has in terms of supplementing

their family income, that too without much difficulty.

I strongly believe that the foundations of a rural entrepreneurship culture can be laid only if the next generation i

s convinced that a government or a white collar job is not the only option in front of them. They need to be taught that being

an entrepreneur is equally dignified.

Whenever an SHG woman approach me for starting her own enterprise I first check if she has a job-seeking daughter

or a son and urge them to take up the business idea. And when I speak to them about how liberating

it is to be a successful entrepreneur, the successful enterprise which I started with SVEP support gives me a lot of confidence.”

-Asha Tailor

Asha Tailor’s family formerly relied on stitching flags and garlands on demand for the occasional festivals in a nearby temple. Deciding to lead by example, she transformed her irregular and poorly managed family business to a full-fledged shop which caters to the seasonal demand for stitched products for temple rituals. By bringing in efficiencies in raw material procurement and marketing, her family today earns Rs. 3,14,420 per annum from the enterprise. Her successful business today inspires confidence in her entrepreneurs. Till date, Asha has supported 140 micro enterprises in Kekri block. She has also played a significant role in the successful market facilitation efforts by Prerana MEC Group in Kekri and in the special enterprise interventions like stitched household products from recycled clothes. Through her service in the BRC and to the community, she earns Rs. 16,052 per month on an average.

Asha always keep her focus on the long term goals that she sets for herself. She recently bought a two-wheeler so that she can work more efficiently by overcoming the disadvantage of poor transport facilities in the villages. She understands that her journey is a continuous learning process and in the short to medium term she dreams of diversifying and strengthening her services by learning new skills like market and bank linkages, registration and licensing, product development and marketing, etc.     

And her journey has just begun.