POSITION: Manager
REPORTS TO: Programmatic Head (HQ)
LOCATION: Uttar Pradesh
LEVEL/GRADE: Manager
About ACCESS:
ACCESS Development Services is a national livelihoods promotion organization with a focus on incubating innovations and developing sustainable models for livelihoods promotion of the poor. To this end, ACCESS is structured uniquely to work at all levels of the value chain – implementing programmes on the ground (Tier I), working with Civil Society Organizations, Government Departments, Corporate sector, and Multilateral / Bilateral Agencies (Tier II) as also undertaking national initiatives to influence and support policy initiatives and strengthening the enabling environment (Tier III). ACCESS, with its head office in New Delhi has a pan-India presence having state offices in 9 states and 26 project offices. More at www.accessdev.org
Position Summary:
ACCESS Development Services, in its role as the Technical Support Unit (TSU) for the NRLM Marketing Thematic Group (NRLM-MTG), supported by the Gates Foundation, is working to strengthen market systems, branding, and digital access for women-led Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). The Manager will be based in Uttar Pradesh and will serve as the principal coordination link between the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), NRLM, and ACCESS Development Services, supporting the design, rollout, and monitoring of marketing and enterprise development initiatives for SHG products and rural producer collectives across the state.
Key Responsibilities
1. Programme & Project Management
- Manage day-to-day implementation of marketing thematic programmes and project deliverables in coordination with UPSRLM workplans.
- Track project timelines, milestones; flag risks and propose course corrections.
- Maintain programme documentation, MIS records, progress reports, and trackers for periodic review and reporting.
- Support development of memos, concept notes, and policy support documents for UPSRLM on marketing-related matters.
2. Market Linkage & Market Research
- Facilitate market linkage initiatives connecting SHG enterprises and rural producer groups to government, private sector, and institutional buyers.
- Conduct and coordinate market research and demand assessments to identify viable product categories, price points, and channels for SHG products.
- Support development and strengthening of women-led rural enterprises, including product, packaging, and brand readiness for market entry.
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Liaison
- Serve as the primary liaison with UPSRLM, and ACCESS Development Services on all marketing thematic matters in the state.
- Build and manage relationships with government departments, private sector partners, academic and research institutions, and civil society organisations relevant to SHG marketing and enterprise development.
- Liaise with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to explore convergence, aggregation, and market linkage opportunities with SHG enterprises.
- Support the UPSRLM team in day-to-day functional coordination, including documentation, correspondence, and inter-agency communication.
4. Events, Roundtables & Capacity Building
- Support planning, coordination, and execution of roundtables, stakeholder consultations, and marketing-related events at the state level.
- Facilitate engagement of government, private sector, and academic stakeholders in events and platforms promoting SHG products and rural enterprises.
- Support design and delivery of modules and capacity-building programmes for women-led SHG enterprises on marketing, branding, and market readiness.
- Coordinate logistics, documentation, and follow-up actions for workshops, training sessions, and exposure visits.
5. Documentation & Policy Support
- Prepare briefing notes, memos, presentations, and reports as required.
- Maintain accurate records of stakeholder engagements, agreements, and follow-up commitments.
- Provide inputs on policy and process matters related to marketing of SHG products, based on field learnings and stakeholder feedback.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Demonstrated experience in market linkage, market research, or marketing of products/services, preferably in a rural livelihoods, SHG, or FPO/FPC context.
- Excellent stakeholder management and liaison skills, with the ability to engage credibly with government officials, private sector representatives, and institutional partners.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Hindi, including the ability to draft memos, reports, and policy notes.
- Experience in planning and coordinating events, roundtables, or capacity-building programmes.
- Understanding of the rural livelihoods ecosystem, NRLM/SRLM architecture, and SHG-based enterprise models.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); working knowledge of MIS/reporting tools is an advantage.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, manage field travel across UP districts, and meet deadlines under a structured grant-funded environment.
- High degree of professionalism, integrity, and sensitivity to working with women-led rural enterprises and grassroots institutions.
Education & Experience
- Master’s degree / MBA in Marketing, Management, Rural Management, or a related field from a recognised institution.
- Minimum 5–8 years of relevant professional experience in marketing, project management, or stakeholder engagement roles, preferably within the development sector, rural livelihoods programmes, or government-linked projects.
- Prior experience working with SRLM/NRLM, SHG federations, FPOs/FPCs, or similar livelihoods institutions will be preferred.
How to apply: For your application to be successfully submitted, kindly fill the google form provided in link – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSec0LIyi_-lby93T4YuVAL4UWY1OkXZZuxTE-s5JY9CWg9ooQ/viewform
ACCESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to providing an environment of fairness, and mutual respect where all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities. ACCESS values diversity and inclusion, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age and disability.