Programme Specialist (Skill and Enterprise)

Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India (AKRSP India) is a non-denominational, non-political, non-government organization. AKRSP India was established in 1983 and it seeks to contribute to rural poverty reduction through community involvement and empowerment that leads to efficient management and an improved environment. For more details please visit: https://www.akrspindia.org.in

Position: Programme Specialist (Skill & Enterprise)

Vacancies: 1

Location: Vyara, Tapi, Gujarat

Qualification: Graduation / Post Graduation / MSW / Rural Management

Experience: Minimum 5-6 years of experience in managing skill development, entrepreneurship, and livelihood development programmes with rural communities, especially women and youth.

Essential Skills

1. Very good understanding of rural enterprises, skill development, livelihoods, and income-generation opportunities in rural areas.
2. Good knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurship and skill development processes, training needs, local ecosystems, and support structures.
3. Strong team and people management skills.
4. Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and effectively liaise with government departments, financial institutions, donors, training partners, and other stakeholders.
5. Good MIS management, analytical, and presentation skills.
6. Good report writing and communication skills.
7. Good understanding of monitoring and evaluation tools and systems.
8. Strong project management, planning, and budgeting skills.
9. Ability to identify market-oriented livelihood, enterprise, and skill development opportunities for rural youth and women.

Job Description

1. Management and implementation of the Skill Development and Enterprise Development Programme.
2. Plan, coordinate, and monitor programme activities to promote entrepreneurship, employability, and income-generation opportunities among rural communities, especially women and youth.
3. Organise awareness events, workshops, campaigns, exposure visits, and promotional activities related to skill development and entrepreneurship.
4. Assess the skill development and enterprise needs of rural youth and entrepreneurs and develop appropriate support systems.
5. Plan and implement training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, exposure visits, enterprise development activities, and placement support.
6. Facilitate access to financial support, credit, government schemes, market linkages, and other relevant services for selected entrepreneurs and candidates.
7. Develop linkages with government departments, financial institutions, donors, training institutes, employers, market actors, and other ecosystem partners.
8. Support identification and development of local enterprise and employment opportunities based on market demand.
9. Develop and maintain programme data, MIS, beneficiary records, and documentation for monitoring and reporting.
10. Track programme outputs, outcomes, placements, enterprise performance, and income-generation results.
11. Conduct regular field visits and provide technical and managerial support to the project team and beneficiaries.
12. Prepare periodic progress reports, success stories, case studies, presentations, and other programme reports.
13. Monitor programme performance against targets and support timely corrective actions.
14. Manage and plan the programme budget and ensure effective utilisation of programme resources.
15. Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders for effective programme implementation.

Salary: Salary will be commensurate with experience and educational qualification.

Travel: The position requires extensive travel to rural project areas.

Key Benefits:

• Work with one of India’s most respected rural development organisations.
• Play a critical role in shaping financial governance and operational efficiency.
• Engage with multi-state teams and high-impact programmes.
• Mission-driven, collaborative work culture.
• 5-day work week.
• Comprehensive medical insurance for employee, spouse, and children.
• Maternity and paternity leave as per organizational policy.
• 15 General Leaves and 16.5 earned leaves annually (earned leaves can be encashed if not utilized).
• 10 declared public holidays and 3 optional holidays.
• Diwali break every year.

We strongly encourage women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and specially abled candidates to apply

Apply Now: Please submit your application at the earliest through our website –‘Get involved’ section - careers page.

Please note that we will begin the search immediately, and if a suitable candidate is found, we will close the application process!