Program Manager, Entrepreneurship- Access to Market (North East Focus)

Years of Experience: 8-10 years

Location: Based out of Bangalore- however with frequent travel and experience in North East India (Guwahati, Imphal, Kohima, or regional hub)

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy (30%)

• Lead the strategic planning, design, and development of innovative programs focused on improving women's access to local, regional, and national markets, specifically addressing North East-centric logistical and connectivity challenges.
• Develop and refine program theories of change and implementation plans that are gender-transformative, culturally sensitive, and market-driven, emphasizing the commercialization of indigenous crafts and agri-products.
• Stay abreast of regional best practices and trends in, e-commerce integration, and value chain development in the North East, integrating relevant innovations into program design.

Program Management & Implementation (40%)

• Oversee the day-to-day management of market access programs across multiple states in the North East, ensuring timely and high-quality implementation against work plans and budgets, often in remote or geographically diverse locations.
• Manage project teams, including staff and regional consultants, providing leadership, mentorship, and performance management to build local capacity.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and local regulations relevant to the region.
• Integrate monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks tailored to track economic progress, including indicators related to income generation from self- employment and formal market linkages.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement (15%)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key regional stakeholders, including State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), regional government departments, Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), private sector entities, local financial institutions, and specialized trade organizations.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, focusing on digital platforms (e- commerce) and physical market expansion (trade fairs, B2B linkages) for women entrepreneurs.
• Represent the organization in relevant regional and national forums, advocating for women entrepreneurship and market access issues unique to the North East.

Capacity Building & Technical Assistance (10%)

• Provide technical guidance and capacity building to program staff, local partners, and women beneficiaries on topics related to product standardization, market analysis, business development, financial literacy, and gender-inclusive market strategies for the regional context.
• Develop and disseminate knowledge products, tools, and resources specific to scaling community-based enterprises in the North East.

Reporting & Communication (5%)

• Prepare comprehensive program reports for internal and external stakeholders, highlighting regional successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Ensure effective communication of program progress and successes through various channels, emphasizing the impact of entrepreneurship on women's autonomy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Gender Studies, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of progressive professional experience in program management, with a strong focus on Women's Economic Empowerment and market systems development in the context of India, preferably the North East.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing market access interventions for women, including value chain analysis, business linkages, access to finance, and support for micro/small enterprises and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Proven experience managing large-scale, complex programs, including financial management, team leadership, and donor compliance.
• Strong understanding of gender analysis and gender-transformative approaches in economic development.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. Proficiency in Hindi and/or one or more major North Eastern regional languages (e.g., Assamese, Manipuri, Khasi, Mizo) is a strong asset.
• Ability to travel frequently within the North Eastern states as required (approximately 35-45%).

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Regional Context: Proven knowledge of the cultural nuances, market dynamics, and operational environment of the North Eastern states.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to identify viable market opportunities and actively support women in scaling their businesses.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly concerning supply chain optimization in challenging geographies.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse ethnic and community groups in the region.
• Innovation: A passion for exploring and implementing new digital and sustainable approaches to market access.