Senior Manager- Agriculture and Food Systems
DFS or Bihar Krishi project is a flagship digital agriculture initiative of Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar. The Bihar Krishi initiative offers a rare opportunity to work on a large-scale digital platform that aims to transform how agricultural services are delivered to millions of farmers across Bihar. As Deputy Project Manager, you would be closely involved in shaping and scaling a state-wide digital public platform—working directly with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar, technology teams, and development partners. The role provides hands-on exposure to building and operationalizing digital systems that connect farmers with advisory services, government schemes, and market information.
Beyond project management, this position offers the chance to work at the intersection of technology, policy, and real on-ground impact. You would engage with senior government stakeholders, support platform development and rollout, and help solve operational challenges that arise when digital solutions are implemented at scale. For someone interested in public sector innovation, digital platforms, and agri-tech, this role provides meaningful responsibility, strong learning exposure, and the opportunity to contribute to a program that can directly improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
Role and Responsibilities:
- Client and Stakeholder Management:
- Act as the primary point of contact for the client (BMGF) and
other stakeholders.
- Collaborate with internal track leads (market linkage, finance,
agri-advisory, gender, tech, climate, etc.) and external stakeholders,
including government departments, agricultural universities, and private
sector players.
- Foster partnerships with public institutions, private sector
service providers, and non-profit organizations to enhance the DFS
platform’s value proposition.
- Project Planning and Execution:
- Develop, plan, and manage the DFS project plan and activities,
ensuring alignment with deliverables and timelines.
- Monitor project milestones, budgets, and risks, using project management
tools to automate processes and ensure efficiency.
- Facilitate the launch of DFS pilots and monitor their
effectiveness, recommending adjustments to enhance performance and
impact.
- Collaboration and Coordination:
- Engage with stakeholders such as agricultural universities,
directorates of agriculture, agtech firms, and community organizations to
co-develop the DFS platform.
- Leverage existing assets, systems, and infrastructure of the
Government of Bihar to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the
DFS platform.
- Work closely with government officials (secretaries, directors) to
resolve project-related queries and ensure smooth implementation.
- Project Monitoring and Reporting:
- Establish mechanisms to track project progress and prepare periodic
reports for clients, steering committees, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate with internal Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation
(MLE) teams to prepare impact and outcome reports for the DFS project.
- Analyze user feedback to identify areas for improvement and
address technical or operational challenges.
- Capacity Building and Awareness:
- Organize training programs and workshops for farmers, extension
workers, and stakeholders to enhance digital literacy and promote
platform utilization.
- Advocate for user needs by gathering feedback and integrating it
into platform design and features.
Requirements
Skills and Expertise:
Technical Skills:
- Strong understanding of project management principles, preferably
in the agricultural sector in India.
- Familiarity with software development life cycles, especially in
state and central government IT projects.
- Proven experience managing large-scale, complex government and
agriculture projects.
- Knowledge of emerging agri-business models and digital technologies
transforming agriculture.
- Analytical skills to evaluate government policies, programs, and
implementation strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to manage collaborations across multiple teams
and stakeholders.
Teamwork and Leadership:
- Proven experience managing diverse teams and complex projects.
- Excellent client management and leadership abilities.
- Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills to foster a collaborative
environment.
Communication Skills:
- Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to
prepare high-quality reports and presentations.
- Proficient in oral communication in English; knowledge of local
languages spoken in Bihar is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder engagement,
particularly with senior government officials.
Other Soft Skills:
- Self-motivated and driven to achieve project goals.
- Passion for rural and agribusiness development.
- Ability to work
effectively in unstructured or semi-structured environments.