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Author: Punit I

Associate Director – Strategic Partnerships

Organisation Overview  (Samhita.org) 

Samhita-CGF is an impact catalyst – we are pioneers and innovators in the social space and are passionate about bringing together stakeholders from the private, public, philanthropy, social, and financial sectors, and collaborating to bring about unprecedented catalytic change. In alignment with the UNSDGs we are on a mission to positively impact 10 million lives by 2030, 50% of which will be women, by co-creating measurable, scalable and sustainable solutions that are CSR and FCRA compliant.

Over the past 14 years since our establishment, we have already impacted over 16 million lives, while partnering with 350+ social organisations, 250+ corporate and individual donors, and 30+ government foundations and international aid agencies. We aim to drive holistic social development for our participants by ensuring they are given access to multiple interventions, including providing access to social security, financial literacy and inclusion, access to credit, business formalisation, healthcare, entrepreneurship development, skilling, job creation, digital empowerment, and market linkages.


Roles & Responsibilities:

    1. A Business Acumen: Adept at identifying new clients and opportunities. Build and utilize knowledge of current & future industry practices and trends to position Samhita as a trusted advisor and critical business partner. Actively demonstrate knowledge of competition to proactively position Samhita against competition.
    2. A Drive for Results: Work on high return and profitable opportunities. Execute against the plan, adjusting as appropriate or as the business. Take initiatives to work independently with a vision of the end state in mind. Self-motivated and motivate others to achieve maximum results.
    3. A knack of selling to large conglomerates and address the complexities associated with the decision making process.
    4. Good interpersonal skills and skillful to interact with decision makers, including C-level officers while demonstrating responsible decision making in stressful or unexpected situations. Understand the role of all parties involved in a negotiation and their motivations, sensitivities and intentions.
    5. Good knowledge and broad understanding of all solutions offered by Samhita and are able to effectively articulate the business value of each in ways that resonate with our Clients. Ability to effectively engage solution specialists in a way that best serves the interests of our Clients.
    6. Exceptional presentation skills and can deliver clear concise presentations with enthusiasm and passion that demonstrates knowledge of our business services. Restate main concepts and gain agreement from Clients on actionable next steps towards closing the mandate.
    7. Ability of responsible decision making under stressful or unexpected situations. Diffuse conflicts in ways that create additional value and leads to new opportunities. Make sound business decisions based on experience, wisdom and thorough understanding of the situation.
    8. Build effective relationships and collaborate with peers, managers and co-workers across Samhita. Openly communicate, provide timely feedback and share ideas.
    9. Maintain a high level of professionalism and represent Samhita as a thought leader to competitors, Clients, implementing partners, professional colleagues and employees.

 

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

We are looking for someone who is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers, with high energy levels, and who naturally builds relationships. Candidate should be result oriented with a strong sense of ownership.

    • You have a proven track record of new business acquisition and 15+ years of experience of sales practices, tactics and tools of developing value propositions with partners.
    • Passionate about growing the business and a demonstrated ability to persevere in the face of obstacles.
    • Outstanding communication skills, strong interpersonal skills. You know what it takes to set the right expectations and effectively communicate them.
    • Can work stressful situations, also understand and can find your way around to find effective solutions.
    • Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change. Structured and analytical approach to solving problems.
    • You are someone who loves taking initiative, you do not hesitate before taking on new responsibilities and can juggle between multiple projects.
    • Stellar planning with the ability to prioritize amidst various / sometimes conflicting priorities. Adept at scoping out length and difficulty of tasks and projects and an ability to break down process steps.
    • You are an inspirational leader who can motivate and energize teams and clients.
    • You have strong experience of working with senior leaders with the ability to generate and communicate unique value propositions.

Work Location: Mumbai

Why Samhita?

    • Make a big difference: Take, own and implement.
    • Leadership: This is the perfect opportunity to go beyond traditional roles and lead cutting edge Management and Research strategies. The candidate shall work alongside the brightest minds, in an environment that fosters growth and creativity
    • Impact: Working with Samhita will provide you with an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions
    • Work Culture: Samhita has a team of young, hard-working, and dynamic individuals who strive for excellence while maintaining a humble outlook. Our work has been strengthened and supported by international and domestic donor agencies and foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Tata Trusts, GIZ, DFID, the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, UNDP and the Power of Nutrition.
    • Learning: Increase your problem-solving capabilities by delving into complex challenges.

How to apply: Forward your LinkedIn page or CV to careers@samhita.org, you can also apply on our careers page.


     

    Regional Lead (Assistant Manager/Manager) – Access to Credit Execution

    Organisation Overview  (Samhita.org) 

    Samhita-CGF is an impact catalyst – we are pioneers and innovators in the social space, and are passionate about bringing together stakeholders from the private, public, philanthropy, social, and financial sectors, and collaborating to bring about unprecedented catalytic change. In alignment with UNSGDs, we are on a mission to positively impact 10 million lives by 2030, 50% of which will be women, by co-creating measurable, scalable and sustainable solutions that are CSR and FCRA compliant.

    Over the past 14 years since our establishment, we have already impacted over 16 million lives, while partnering with 350+ social organizations, 250+ corporate and individual donors, and 30+ government foundations and international aid agencies. We aim to drive holistic social development for our participants by ensuring they are given access to multiple interventions ranging from livelihoods, skilling, social protection, digital empowerment, and financial inclusion.

    Role Overview:

    • The incumbent is expected to manage all strategic relationships and partners pertaining to access to credit through financial products.
    • S/he is expected to build capacity of partners after identifying the right ones from the current pool of partners, based on ground intel and data, to achieve scale.
    • S/he is expected to manage all aspects of the partner engagement including but not limited to partner onboarding, documentation, compliance checks, disbursement of funds (and collection where applicable), collection of data in a timely manner following due process, quality checks as and when needed etc. Infrequent field visits may be required.
    • Perform other related duties as required.
    • Work with Govt stakeholders such as State Urban livelihoods mission, Urban Local bodies and other govt agencies in Livelihoods space.

    Responsibilities

    • Manage all partner relationships pertaining to access to credit through financial products
    • Track each NGO/execution partner to ensure compliance and efficiency of operations
    • Manage relationships with lending partners
    • Spearhead disbursement and collection of returnable grants
    • Build and maintain a structured process and objective check-list for partner onboarding and ongoing operations
    • Manage partner costs and ensure adherence to Samhita’s bottom line and margins
    • Liaise with internal stakeholders across functional areas for smooth project operations
    • Maintain a positive, constructive, and co-creative relationship with stakeholders and partners as well as contributing to growing such network.
    • Recommending and Implementing process for improvements to programs.
    • Identifying the key financial and non-financial risks, recommending actions for mitigation of those risks.

    Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

    • 5+ years of experience in the program management/Operations roles, should have handled large scale mandates.
    • Experience of working with financial services products, especially credit products for the micro and nano enterprises segment.
    • Post-Graduation degree in Business Management, Marketing or related field from a reputed college
    • Strong hold on data, number crunching and data analysis is mandatory
    • Ability to multitask and work with multiple stakeholders and diverse set of requirements
    • Proven track record of building programs from scratch and executing and scaling it will be an added advantage.
    • Good communication and interpersonal skills
    • A flexible work style, someone that can work easily with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

    Work Location: Lucknow/Mumbai

    Why Samhita?

    • Make a big difference: Take, own and implement.
    • Leadership: This is the perfect opportunity to go beyond traditional roles and lead cutting-edge management and research strategies. The candidate shall work alongside the brightest minds, in an environment that fosters growth and creativity
    • Impact: Working with Samhita will provide you with an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions – doing well by doing well
    • Work Culture: Samhita has a team of young, hard-working, and dynamic individuals who strive for excellence while maintaining a humble outlook. Our work has been strengthened and supported by international and domestic donor agencies and foundations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Omidyar Network, Walmart Foundation, Microsoft India, Google India, Adidas India, Tata Motor Finance and many more.
    • Learning: Increase your problem-solving capabilities by delving into complex challenges.

    How to apply: Forward your LinkedIn page or CV to careers@samhita.org, you can also apply on our careers page.


       

      Assistant Manager/Manager– Access to Credit Execution

      Organisation Overview  (Samhita.org) 

      Samhita-CGF is an impact catalyst – we are pioneers and innovators in the social space, and are passionate about bringing together stakeholders from the private, public, philanthropy, social, and financial sectors, and collaborating to bring about unprecedented catalytic change. In alignment with UNSGDs, we are on a mission to positively impact 10 million lives by 2030, 50% of which will be women, by co-creating measurable, scalable and sustainable solutions that are CSR and FCRA compliant.

      Over the past 14 years since our establishment, we have already impacted over 16 million lives, while partnering with 350+ social organizations, 250+ corporate and individual donors, and 30+ government foundations and international aid agencies. We aim to drive holistic social development for our participants by ensuring they are given access to multiple interventions ranging from livelihoods, skilling, social protection, digital empowerment, and financial inclusion.

      Role Overview:

      • The incumbent is expected to manage all strategic relationships and partners pertaining to access to credit through financial products.
      • S/he is expected to build capacity of partners after identifying the right ones from the current pool of partners, based on ground intel and data, to achieve scale.
      • S/he is expected to manage all aspects of the partner engagement including but not limited to partner onboarding, documentation, compliance checks, disbursement of funds (and collection where applicable), collection of data in a timely manner following due process, quality checks as and when needed etc. Infrequent field visits may be required.
      • Perform other related duties as required.
      • Work with Govt stakeholders such as State Urban livelihoods mission, Urban Local bodies and other govt agencies in Livelihoods space.

      Responsibilities

      • Manage all partner relationships pertaining to access to credit through financial products
      • Track each NGO/execution partner to ensure compliance and efficiency of operations
      • Manage relationships with lending partners
      • Spearhead disbursement and collection of returnable grants
      • Build and maintain a structured process and objective check-list for partner onboarding and ongoing operations
      • Manage partner costs and ensure adherence to Samhita’s bottom line and margins
      • Liaise with internal stakeholders across functional areas for smooth project operations
      • Maintain a positive, constructive, and co-creative relationship with stakeholders and partners as well as contributing to growing such network.
      • Recommending and Implementing process for improvements to programs.
      • Identifying the key financial and non-financial risks, recommending actions for mitigation of those risks.

      Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

      • 5+ years of experience in the program management/Operations roles, should have handled large scale mandates.
      • Experience of working with financial services products, especially credit products for the micro and nano enterprises segment.
      • Post-Graduation degree in Business Management, Marketing or related field from a reputed college
      • Strong hold on data, number crunching and data analysis is mandatory
      • Ability to multitask and work with multiple stakeholders and diverse set of requirements
      • Proven track record of building programs from scratch and executing and scaling it will be an added advantage.
      • Good communication and interpersonal skills
      • A flexible work style, someone that can work easily with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

      Work Location: Lucknow/Mumbai

      Why Samhita?

      • Make a big difference: Take, own and implement.
      • Leadership: This is the perfect opportunity to go beyond traditional roles and lead cutting-edge management and research strategies. The candidate shall work alongside the brightest minds, in an environment that fosters growth and creativity
      • Impact: Working with Samhita will provide you with an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions – doing well by doing well
      • Work Culture: Samhita has a team of young, hard-working, and dynamic individuals who strive for excellence while maintaining a humble outlook. Our work has been strengthened and supported by international and domestic donor agencies and foundations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Omidyar Network, Walmart Foundation, Microsoft India, Google India, Adidas India, Tata Motor Finance and many more.
      • Learning: Increase your problem-solving capabilities by delving into complex challenges.

      How to apply: Forward your LinkedIn page or CV to careers@samhita.org, you can also apply on our careers page.


         

        Manager- Health Projects

        Context

        Frontier Health Markets (FHM) Engage is a global cooperative agreement designed to provide technical assistance (TA) supporting local actors to improve the ability of health markets to meet supply-side capacity gaps and consumer preferences and contribute to equitable provision of and access to high-quality family planning (FP) and other health services and products in mixed health systems.

        FHM Engage is working with Collective Good Foundation (CGF, an implementation arm of Samhita) as sub-recipient, to forge a Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance (WOHLA) in India made up of corporations, industrial association and development partners committed to strengthening stewardship efforts to improve access, ensuring the quality and affordability of healthcare products and services including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care, ensuring equity and economic security for women, mobilizing private sector resources for targeted initiatives for women’s health and livelihood, and facilitating enabling ecosystems for greater collaboration between the private sector and government which can build women’s agency to make decisions related to healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies (HTSP).

        In addition to creating the Alliance, CGF will serve as the secretariat for the Alliance and program manager for the activities and interventions to perform key market facilitation roles and support high-impact partnerships to increase access to Women’s Health services and products. CGF is recruiting and hiring sufficient number of staff with the appropriate skills mix and expertise for organizing and carrying multiple activities simultaneously; to develop work plans and budgets, and monitoring work plan activities against budgets, and ensuring consistent and regular communication across alliance members.

        Job Description

        The incumbent will manage & support the program management and delivery of the entire Health projects at Samhita-CGF. Will support the lead to design programs, monitor and assess program, track progress against set key deliverables and identify key risks and opportunities. Will work towards achieving sustainable, transformational change at scale by working in a way that strengthens health systems and various stake holder capabilities to improve FP \ SRH outcomes within the country.

        Job Responsibilities

        • Ensure that WOHLA/Health programs integrate innovative methods and promote state-of-the-art technical approaches that reflect latest evidence, best practices, emerging priorities and trends in the field of FP/RH.
        • Contribute to the planning and implementation of public health outreach and education programs and events, including high-level visits for GOI and USG staff.
        • Support in Designing, implementing and evaluating sound and cost-effective interventions aimed at increasing use of quality family planning services expanding contraceptive choices, and addressing gender norms through WOHLA’s various projects.
        • Strengthen network and partnership development on FP/RH interventions, working with a variety of stakeholders to explore synergies and leverage resources, and forging collaborations with donors and private sector.
        • Responsible for program implementation team to make sure every project being implemented (and developed) has a Log Frame or Results Framework.
        • Collaborate with other alliances, social impact investors, and development partners I overlapping thematic areas.
        • Manage & support and operationalize the WoHLA/Health Projects to serve as platform and market place for women’s health with an explicit purpose to mobilize resources for access to finance opportunities for livelihood and implementation of women’s health programs.

        Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

        • 7+ years of experience of having worked in the health projects
        • A Master of Public Health degree
        • Knowledge of public health issues in one or more of the following: family planning, reproductive health, adolescent health, maternal and child health, gender.
        • Familiarity and understanding of USAID policies and procedures (highly preferred), or those of other donors, donor funded projects, community- based projects, or corporate social responsibility projects.
        • Understanding of private sector market-based models, total market approach, social marketing.
        • Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
        • Fluency in English and preferably in Hindi.

        Work Location:  Mumbai/Delhi

        How to apply: Forward your LinkedIn page or CV to careers@samhita.org, you can also apply on our careers page.


           

          Associate /Sr. Associate – Programs

          Organisation Overview  (Samhita.org) 

          Samhita is a social impact consulting firm, with a vision to build a ‘better normal’. The better normal reimagines business environments where social value is an integral aspect of growth, putting stakeholders and environmental guardianship at the centre of business strategy, a strategy that evolves from inputs to outcomes, from individuals to ecosystem, and from delivering services to building capacity and enabling the market.

          To do this, we support companies to align their core competencies with the needs of the social sector, and build catalytic partnerships with stakeholders with in-depth knowledge and networks to execute sustainable, outcome-oriented social impact initiatives. This approach bridges the gap between purpose and action, and forges business responsibility strategies that balance people, profit and planet, thereby creating a better normal for communities, environments and businesses.

          Role Overview:

          Looking for an Associate/Sr. Associate proficient in working with implementation partners (NGOs & social enterprises), experienced in need identification, program concept creation and delivering end to end execution of projects . They should have knowledge on monitoring, evaluation & reporting of the projects.

          Responsibilities

          •  Work on end to end program management – Strategy design, implementation and program monitoring for project.
          • Preparing customized proposals per the requirement of the corporates/grant giving agencies
          • Conduct prospect research to identify, cultivate and solicit new project implementation partners
          • Invite and provide evidence-based feedback in a timely and constructive manner.
          • Independently manage external stakeholder conversations with corporates as well as implementation partners
          • Work with existing processes/systems whilst making constructive suggestions for improvements.
          • Work on based data and analysis for program management and insights.
          • Follow risk management and compliance procedures.
          • Communicate confidently in a clear, concise and articulate manner – verbally and in written form.
          • Seek opportunities to learn about other cultures and other parts of the business across the service lines of Samhita.
          • Uphold the firm’s code of ethics and business conduct
          • Support the interns and volunteers for field research, survey and developing information on Samhita Verticals.

          Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

          • 3-4 years of experience of having worked in the Rural development/Agriculture/Livelihood
          • Experience in program implementation, operations and/or management
          • Ability to structure projects/engagements for the team
          • Strong Interpersonal and presentation skills
          • Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes.
          • Demonstrated success of developing and evaluating program models and NGOs, and selecting and operationalizing programs.
          • Experience in   policy making/ conceptualizing & implementing programs will be preferred
          • Experience of engaging with International clients and working in onsite-offshore environment
          • Ability to contribute beyond the defined scope of work
          • Demonstrated experience of contributing in firm and knowledge building
          • Candidate with medical and business degrees are encouraged to apply as well

          Work Location:  Mumbai

          Why Samhita?

          • Make a big difference: Take, own and implement.
          • Leadership: This is the perfect opportunity to go beyond traditional roles and lead cutting-edge management and research strategies. The candidate shall work alongside the brightest minds, in an environment that fosters growth and creativity
          • Impact: Working with Samhita will provide you with an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions – doing well by doing well
          • Work Culture: Samhita has a team of young, hard-working, and dynamic individuals who strive for excellence while maintaining a humble outlook. Our work has been strengthened and supported by international and domestic donor agencies and foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Tata Trusts, GIZ, DFID, the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, UNDP and the Power of Nutrition.
          • Learning: Increase your problem-solving capabilities by delving into complex challenges. 

          How to apply: Forward your LinkedIn page or CV to careers@samhita.org, you can also apply on our careers page.


             

            Empowering women farmers and FPOs: Samhita-CGF’s initiative supported by Walmart Foundation

            Farmers in Maharashtra face severe challenges, particularly smallholder farmers, who make up 78% of the farming population and own less than two hectares of land (NSS 77th Round). Further, the state is particularly vulnerable to climate change that affects smallholder farmers who have the least capacity to cope (over 36 Mn Ha land was lost due to unseasonal rains in 5 years). Samhita-CGF, supported by the Walmart Foundation, is implementing a comprehensive intervention to address these challenges across 12 Farm Producer Organizations (FPOs), 7 of which are women-led and located in the Marathwada region, while 5 are mixed-gender FPOs based in the Amravati region.

            The program’s distinguishing feature is that it strengthens FPO-farmer engagement by addressing the challenges of both these stakeholders in an integrated manner. At the farmer level, support includes blended financing instruments, skills in climate resilient agricultural practices and connections to social security schemes. Farm digitization (using technology to manage land and crop data) also helps farmers adopt data-driven decision-making. At the FPO level, it strengthens organizational capacity through infrastructure, training, IT solutions and market linkages, with a special emphasis on creating sustainable opportunities for women-led FPOs.

            As of August 31, 2024, the program has reached 4,694 farmers (2363 are women), including those who have received access to finance (via blended finance instruments) and 2,217 who have undergone training on climate-resilient farming.

            Our experience of working with women-only FPOs: Unique challenges and strengths

            The journey of the seven women-only FPOs is not without its challenges. While they share common hurdles with mixed-gender FPOs, they also encounter unique obstacles that require focused support.

            Navigating unique challenges

            One of the foremost challenges women-led FPOs face is the need for capacity building and training. These organizations often emerge from the grassroots efforts of NGOs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Encouraging women to join and actively participate in FPOs often takes more time than in mixed-gender groups. Transitioning women from a service mindset to managing a profit-driven business can also be daunting. To address this, CGF offers vital support, equipping women with leadership, governance, and financial management skills to operate independently.

            Decision-making in women-led FPOs contrasts with mixed-gender FPOs, where men often dominate leadership. Women-led FPOs promote dialogue and inclusive discussions, creating a more supportive environment for women farmers, addressing challenges like childcare, mobility, and safety.

            Market access is another hurdle. Women-led FPOs face mobility restrictions, limited bargaining power, and less exposure to commercial networks, making it harder to compete. Mixed-gender FPOs benefit from established networks which are often led by men, while women-only FPOs need tailored support to connect with large buyers.

            Technology integration is also challenging. Women-led FPOs face the digital gender divide, while mixed-gender FPOs benefit from men’s greater tech exposure.

            Financial constraints also play a crucial role in the sustainability of women-led FPOs. Membership fees can pose a barrier for women farmers, as they often lack access to the share capital needed to join an FPO. Land ownership further complicates the landscape, as land rights typically reside with male household members.

            Celebrating strengths

            Despite these challenges, the strengths of women-only FPOs shine brightly.  Once mobilized, women-only FPOs often show stronger social cohesion, driven by confidence and shared commitment to collective goals. Their collaborative structures ensures that the FPO’s business interests and the agri/allied activities of its members are easier to align, creating stronger foundations for income growth.

            Women-led FPOs focus on long-term social impact over short-term profits. Their dedication to sustainable agricultural practices and strengthening village groups reflects a commitment to improving the socio-economic landscape of their communities.

            Empowerment and agency: The journey of women farmers in Maharashtra

            When these women first expressed interest in joining the FPOs, their families were often hesitant, if not outright discouraging. Husbands and in-laws often saw time spent in FPO meetings as lost wages and were wary of women attending without male escorts. In some cases, male family members felt the need to accompany them to meetings.

            However, as FPO involvement began yielding tangible results—connecting them with government schemes, credit sources, and valuable training—their social and financial status improved. One woman from the Manjiri Sakhi FPO recalled how her family initially restricted her participation but eventually supported her ventures. She said, “Now, my husband asks me if I have an FPO meeting today and even offers to drop me off. They’ve even started sharing household duties to support my ventures.”

            The gradual change in their stories reflects the broader empowerment women have experienced through FPO engagement, linking them to resources like subsidies and crop insurance, and formalizing their roles as entrepreneurs.

            Challenges along the path to empowerment

            Despite these successes, the women of these FPOs still face significant challenges. A considerable knowledge gap exists in areas such as financial literacy, technology, and market strategy, which limits their ability to fully capitalize on available opportunities. Many women struggle with understanding modern business practices, particularly digital transactions, which hinders the progress of their FPOs.

            Social norms also remain a barrier. Women farmers still face scepticism about their ability to manage organizations in the traditionally male-dominated field of agriculture. One member of the Vijaylaxmi Sakhi FPO shared, “When we started, people doubted us. They would say, ‘They’re women… how good can they ever be?’”

            Additionally, financial constraints limit their ability to invest in technology, expand production, and reach new markets. Women still face difficulties in accessing larger markets, often relying on middlemen who take a significant share of their profits. As one woman from the Manjiri Sakhi FPO explained, “We grow good-quality produce, but reaching the market is difficult. Without proper transport or connections, we depend on middlemen, and it’s hard to get a fair price for our efforts.”

            A case study on Transforming Lives: Sangita Mahanvar’s Journey from Marginal Farming to Empowerment

            In the serene village of Dudhodi, Sangita Mahanvar’s life was once confined by traditional expectations. As a marginal farmer, she toiled alongside her husband and son, tending to their crops and caring for their eight cows.

            Her turning point came when she participated in farmer training sessions organized by a local NGO(Swayam Shikshan Prayog). It was here she discovered the potential of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and joined Sarayi Sakhi Producer Company in August 2023. In January 2024, when she learned about the Returnable Grants program of Samhita-CGF funded by the Walmart Foundation, she seized the chance to change her destiny.

            With a grant of INR 10,000 and her savings of INR 2,500, Sangita applied for a Khoya-making machine through the PM-FME(Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises). scheme, which offers a generous 90% subsidy on food processing equipment. With the support of her FPO, she navigated the paperwork and, within a month, proudly purchased the machine valued at INR 1,25,000.

            Sangita’s innovation transformed her family’s livelihood. Previously, they sold 50 liters of milk daily at just INR 30 per liter. Now, she crafts 20 kg of Khoya from that milk, selling it for INR 180-200 per kg. This shift has generated an impressive additional monthly income of INR 15,000.

            Reflecting on her journey, Sangita shares, “This machine has changed the whole dynamics of my house. I have moved from being an agricultural laborer to running my own business.” Today, she not only takes orders but also purchases milk from her neighbors to meet demand. With her sights set on expansion, Sangita plans to acquire more cows and invest in an additional Khoya-making machine, solidifying her role as a thriving entrepreneur and a role model for aspiring women in her community.

            Key lessons from rural women farmers: Shaping our approach to empowerment and growth

            Through our extensive work with rural women farmers, several key lessons have emerged, each of which has significantly shaped our approach to empowering these women and strengthening their communities.

            Access to resources: Bridging critical gaps

            Many women, despite being the primary labor force in agriculture, don’t own the land they cultivate, making access to financial support difficult. We introduced blended finance initiatives such as Returnable Grants (RG) and Credit Guarantees (CG) to provide capital without land ownership.

            Balancing multiple roles: Empowering through shared responsibility

            Rural women farmers juggle household chores, farm work, and FPO participation. This can overwhelm them and hinder income generation. To address this, we plan gender mainstreaming sessions to educate their male counterparts on shared responsibilities.

            Resilience in the face of climate change

            Women farmers are not only more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but also more adaptable. Supported by FPOs, they’ve shown resilience in adopting climate-smart practices. We conduct regular training to equip them with the skills needed to face climate challenges.

            Tech access: Empowering decision-making

            Technology has transformed decision-making for FPOs. By onboarding our 12 FPOs onto the Doordrishti platform, we’ve provided women farmers with real-time data, enhancing their decision-making and helping them navigate the agricultural market.

            Looking forward

            These lessons have profoundly informed our approach. Increasing access to credit, co-creating solutions based on traditional knowledge, and building climate resilience are central to ensuring rural women farmers have the tools and support to thrive.

            Grassroots farmer communities championing climate resilience!

            Background

            As per the state level data of 2023,1088 farmers tragically ended their lives in eight districts of Marathwada, Maharashtra’s most drought-affected region. This is the region with one of the highest rate of farmer suicide in India. The changing climatic patterns resulting in erratic rains only add to the farmer’s woes.

            What’s missing? The answer lies in first educating the farmer about climate change and supporting their transition to climate-resilient agriculture alongside diversifying their sources of income. To address this Samhita-CGF has been committed to supporting and improving farmer’s lives by providing them with returnable grants (RGs) to support farmers with their capital needs. Alongside financial support, farmers are also provided training on climate-resilient agriculture that helps them increase their resilience to climate-related disturbances, such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and erratic rainfall. They are taught various techniques for efficient crop and water management such as drip irrigation, land leveling, crop rotation, cover crops etc. These trainings also offer the farmers insights into sustainable farming practices and alternative livelihoods. This approach not only helps them adapt to the changing climate but also aids in breaking the vicious cycle of debt and poverty.

            Findings and Insights

            By working closely with grassroots organizations and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Samhita-CGF has successfully impacted numerous farmers in the region. The positive change is becoming evident, as seen during a recent field visit to Tuljapur, Dharashiv, and Solapur districts, where in-depth interviews and group discussions revealed farmers sharing stories of improved incomes and multiple sources of revenue.

            Many farmers who earlier followed the traditional single cash crop system had transitioned to a “one acre farming” model where multiple crop varieties are grown on a single acre for both income and household consumption. This approach allows the farmer to be self-sufficient and sell surplus crops, reducing the risk of loss if one crop underperforms. It also provides the family with a nutritious diet through diverse crop production. These farmers received the Returnable Grant from Samhita-CGF for Rs 10,000 and invested it in either buying cattle or on improving their crop production by diversifying varieties of crops and get more agriculture equipments. This has resulted in the farmers becoming self- sufficient which has significantly reduced their financial stress. Most of the farmers we met from different FPOs across various villages reported such success stories with some incomes reaching as high as Rs 1 lakh per month. These changes are also inspiring neighboring farmers, who are eager to learn new farming techniques and diversify their income streams.

            {Case study: One such farmer successfully transitioned from a single cash crop system to a “one-acre farming” model. With a Rs 10,000 Returnable Grant from Samhita-CGF, the farmer purchased a cow to further diversify his income through dairy farming. The cow gave birth to a calf, increasing the herd to two, which provided a valuable additional income. Beyond dairy, the farmer set up a vermicomposting system to produce organic manure and installed a biogas plant for cooking. Both the farmer and his wife manage the farm and non-farm activities, making them fully self-sufficient without relying on outside help. This transition significantly boosted their income and alleviated financial stress, allowing them to lead a more sustainable and independent life. They expressed deep gratitude to Samhita-CGF for the support and training that helped them adopt climate-resilient agriculture and diversify their livelihoods.}

            Challenges and way forward

            Samhita-CGF’s model of returnable grants and climate-resilience training is proving to be a powerful catalyst for change in Marathwada region. However, a lot of white spaces still exist where farmers need to be supported to be able to sustain their livelihoods. Some of the major challenges that farmers continue to face are getting fair prices for their crops, infrastructure for storage and processing, organic farming certification and establishing market linkages. Some FPOs have managed to receive support from the government for getting organic farming certifications and establishing market linkages but majority of them continue to struggle with everyday operations of running the FPO due to paucity of funds. The farmers showed willingness to receive additional training on organic farming, market linkages, and branding for their product. Hence, more efforts towards capacity building of the FPOs need to be made so that farmers can be benefitted further and have sustainable livelihoods. Given the success of Returnable Grants and training on climate resilience agriculture provided by Samhita, we now plan on supporting the FPOs for market linkages via ONDC.

            This blog was authored by Ipsita Gupta.

            Mobilising Resources for Women Entrepreneurs: The Women Entrepreneurship Development Program

            In today’s rapidly evolving world, empowering women to embark on entrepreneurial journeys is crucial for driving inclusive economic growth and societal progress. This blog explores the pivotal role of skill enhancement in enabling women to succeed as entrepreneurs, and various aspects such as financial and digital barriers for women entrepreneurs in India. Central to this narrative is the Women Entrepreneurship Development Program, a collaborative initiative with DXC Technology, which equips women with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

            In communities worldwide, women often face limited access to formal employment opportunities due to various socio-economic factors such as lack of education, mobility constraints, and gender norms. Micro-entrepreneurship offers a pathway for women to generate income and contribute to the economic development of their communities.

            The ‘Women Entrepreneurship Development Program: Promoting Inclusion and Financial Empowerment,’ a collaborative effort by Samhita-CGF and DXC Technology, stands out in this regard. This program is not just about skill development ; it aims to transform the entrepreneurial landscape, enabling women to flourish in the business world.

            Addressing the Financial Challenges of Women Entrepreneurs in India

            Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are pivotal to India’s economy, significantly contributing to both employment and GDP. Despite their vital role,  women entrepreneurs within the MSME sector face numerous obstacles that hinder their growth and sustainability. 

            In India, there are approximately 15 million women-owned MSMEs, however, about 90%  of these women entrepreneurs haven’t accessed formal financial institutions for funding. This challenge has been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected women entrepreneurs, particularly those who lacked access to formal financial support networks.

            In rural spaces, the dynamics differ significantly. Here, women entrepreneurs face unique challenges stemming from limited access to resources, infrastructure, and markets. Unlike urban environments, rural and semi-urban areas may lack established business networks and support systems, making it difficult for women to start and grow their ventures. The need for tailored financial literacy programs becomes important to not just foster inclusivity but also for driving economic development at the grassroots level, ensuring women entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute significantly to India’s economic landscape.

            Leveraging Digital Technology for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

            Skill enhancement efforts delve into the realm of digital literacy to equip women with the tools they need to thrive in modern business environments. Recognizing the disparities highlighted by the program, where only 29% of women in India are digitally literate compared to 59% of men, it’s evident that bridging this gap is essential for inclusive economic growth.

            Moreover, in addressing the financial hurdles encountered by women entrepreneurs in India, digital technology plays a pivotal role. Educating women on digital payment systems facilitates secure transactions, while insights into data analytics empower them to make informed decisions about their businesses’ financial health. By integrating digital literacy components into skill enhancement programs, women entrepreneurs are equipped not only to navigate the complexities of the digital realm but also to overcome financial barriers and thrive in dynamic business landscapes.

            Women Entrepreneurship Development Program: A Case Study for Transforming Communities 

            The program stands as a comprehensive blended learning initiative aimed at empowering women to embark on successful entrepreneurial journeys. Spanning 100 hours across three phases, this initiative is meticulously designed to equip women with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for entrepreneurial success.

            • The first phase is characterised by nearly 500 women also known as Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who are given training in Financial Literacy, Digital Literacy, and Menstrual Health Education.
            • From the initial group, champions are identified from the trained VLEs for the second phase. These champions will serve as leaders responsible for building the capacity of future entrepreneurs by facilitating and mentoring future participants.
            • The trained women from the second phase will further identify, enrol, and train 300+ future women entrepreneurs in the third phase. These women will acquire skills and accelerate livelihoods through four distinct skill sets: Fashionpreneur, Edupreneur, Spoken Tutorial and Swasthya Sakhi.

            The program’s innovative approach not only focuses on individual skill development but also emphasises community transformation and leadership development. By empowering women to become entrepreneurs and mentors in their communities, the program aims to create a ripple effect of empowerment, driving societal change and economic growth. 

            It’s time we realise that when women succeed, communities flourish, underscoring the transformative impact of women’s entrepreneurship on society at large. Only through comprehensive and targeted efforts can we truly unlock the full potential of women entrepreneurs across the spectrum of our society.

            This article was authored by Aakriti Singh and Ayushi Bhatnagar

            Manager- Impact Achievement

            Organisation Overview  (Samhita.org) 

            At Samhita, we work to address the most wicked socio-economic problems in India and leverage our strengths, experience, and knowledge to fulfil our vision. We work with multiple stakeholders to curate strategic partnerships that have the potential to create impact at scale. Through the power of collaboration, innovation, and evidence, we aim to create a sustainable and equitable future for all i.e. a better normal for all.

            Samhita is a Mission driven Organisation with a young, bright, passionate, committed and exceptionally inspiring team. We believe that great companies are built by great teams. This philosophy is at the heart of our vision for the organisation we want to scale over the next decade. A company with people at its core, where people are the biggest differentiators. If you are looking for an organization that truly cares about people while bringing the best of class innovation into CSR – Samhita is the place for you. We solve problems through collective action.

            Role Overview:

            Looking for a manager proficient in working with implementation partners (NGOs & social enterprises), experienced in need identification, program concept creation and delivering end to end execution of large projects. You should have deep experience in monitoring, evaluation & reporting of the projects.

            Job Description

            1. Work on end-to-end program management – Strategy design, implementation and program monitoring for projects.
            2. Prepare customized proposals per the requirement of the corporates/grant giving agencies
            3. Bring together multiple stakeholders, especially the government, companies, implementation partners and international aid agencies
            4. Ensure effective and efficient program monitoring; reporting processes are in place and implemented for all program activities
            5. Work with the program implementation team to make sure every project being implemented (and developed) has a Log Frame or Results Framework.
            6. Ensure that lessons, learning and research around program quality is carried out and used for program quality improvement
            7. Ensure optimal coordination and collaboration of team members with relevant teams and contribution to relevant organizational initiatives
            8. Lead the development, adaptation, testing and mainstreaming of best/good practices in needs assessment, project design, implementation, M & E, and research
            9. Independently manage external stakeholder conversations with corporates as well as implementation partners
            10. Work with existing processes/systems whilst making constructive suggestions for improvements.

            Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

            • 8+ years of experience of having worked in the development sector
            • Experience in working with communities at the grassroots level and implemented large scale programs.
            • Ability to structure projects/engagements for the team
            • Strong Interpersonal and presentation skills
            • Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes.
            • Demonstrated success of developing and evaluating program models, NGOs, and operationalizing programs.
            • Experience of engaging with International clients and working in onsite-offshore environment
            • Ability to contribute beyond the defined scope of work
            • Demonstrated experience of contributing in firm and knowledge building
            • Candidate with medical and business degrees are encouraged to apply as well

            Based out of: Delhi

            Why Samhita?

            • Make a big difference: Take, own and implement.
            • Leadership: This is the perfect opportunity to go beyond traditional roles and lead cutting-edge management and research strategies. The candidate shall work alongside the brightest minds, in an environment that fosters growth and creativity
            • Impact: Working with Samhita will provide you with an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions – doing well by doing well
            • Work Culture: Samhita has a team of young, hard-working, and dynamic individuals who strive for excellence while maintaining a humble outlook. Our work has been strengthened and supported by international and domestic donor agencies and foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Tata Trusts, GIZ, DFID, the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, UNDP and the Power of Nutrition.
            • Learning: Increase your problem-solving capabilities by delving into complex challenges. 

            How to apply: Forward your LinkedIn page or CV to careers@samhita.org, you can also apply on our careers page.


               

              Manager- Client Relationship

              Organisation Overview  (Samhita.org) 

              At Samhita, we work to address the most wicked socio-economic problems in India and leverage our strengths, experience, and knowledge to fulfil our vision. We work with multiple stakeholders to curate strategic partnerships that have the potential to create impact at scale. Through the power of collaboration, innovation, and evidence, we aim to create a sustainable and equitable future for all i.e. a better normal for all.

              Samhita is a Mission driven Organisation with a young, bright, passionate, committed and exceptionally inspiring team. We believe that great companies are built by great teams. This philosophy is at the heart of our vision for the organisation we want to scale over the next decade. A company with people at its core, where people are the biggest differentiators. If you are looking for an organization that truly cares about people while bringing the best of class innovation into CSR – Samhita is the place for you. We solve problems through collective action.

              Roles & Responsibilities

              In this role, you will work with the Associate Director to retain large partnerships by creating a Client engagement strategy, executing on this strategy, building & maintaining a healthy & growing funnel of potential opportunities, managing the funnel to ensure effective progression of opportunities across the Client lifecycle and an acceptable close rate, and help Samhita-CGF deliver deeper impact year-on-year while increasing margin.

              This role is for you if you have:

              1. A Drive for Results – You execute against the plan, adjusting as appropriate or as the business climate dictates. You take initiatives to work independently with a vision of the end state in mind. You are self-motivated and motivate others to achieve maximum results. You effectively utilize available resources. You are tenacious and comfortable with prospecting. You persevere in the face of obstacles.
              2. A Business Acumen – You are adept at identifying and engaging clients and opportunities. You build and utilize knowledge of current & future industry practices and trends to position Samhita-CGF as a trusted advisor and critical business partner. You can address the complexities associated with the decision-making process. You can easily differentiate between supporters and detractors and appropriately address each.
              3. An engagement with the C-Suite – You are adept at overcoming institutional barriers designed to “protect” senior management from “influencers”. You skilfully interact with decision makers, including C-level officers while demonstrating responsible decision making in stressful or unexpected situations. You understand the role of all parties involved in a negotiation and their tactics, motivations, sensitivities and intentions.
              4. A Solution – You have a broad understanding of all solutions offered by Samhita-CGF and can effectively articulate the business value of each in ways that resonate with our clients. You can effectively engage solution specialists in a way that best serves the interests of our clients.
              5. Excellent Communication Skills – You actively investigate a client’s needs through effective questioning and listening skills. You deliver clear concise presentations with enthusiasm and passion that demonstrates knowledge of our business services. You restate main concepts and gain agreement from Clients on actionable next steps towards closing the mandate.
              6. A prowess to Negotiate – You exude confidence and trustworthiness. You remain professional under pressure and demonstrate responsible decision making under stressful or unexpected situations. You diffuse conflicts in ways that create additional value and leads to new opportunities. You make sound business decisions based on experience, wisdom and thorough understanding of the situation.
              7. Strong Professional Relationships – You build effective relationships and collaborate with peers, managers and co-workers across Samhita. You openly communicate, provide timely feedback and share ideas.
              8. Maintain a high level of professionalism and represent Samhita-CGF as a thought leader to competitors, Clients, implementing partners, professional colleagues and employees.

              Qualifications, Skills & Experience

              • 8+ years of experience of having worked in the development sector
              • Experience in working with any of the Big 4 or social sector consulting organizations. The competencies needed are client engagement and client strategy.
              • Ability to structure projects/engagements for the team
              • Strong Interpersonal and presentation skills
              • Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes.
              • Experience of engaging with International clients and working in onsite-offshore environment
              • Ability to contribute beyond the defined scope of work
              • Demonstrated experience of contributing in firm and knowledge building
              • Candidate with medical and business degrees are encouraged to apply as well

              Work Location: Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore

              Why Samhita?

              • Make a big difference: Take, own and implement.
              • Leadership: This is the perfect opportunity to go beyond traditional roles and lead cutting-edge management and research strategies. The candidate shall work alongside the brightest minds, in an environment that fosters growth and creativity
              • Impact: Working with Samhita will provide you with an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions – doing well by doing well
              • Work Culture: Samhita has a team of young, hard-working, and dynamic individuals who strive for excellence while maintaining a humble outlook. Our work has been strengthened and supported by international and domestic donor agencies and foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Tata Trusts, GIZ, DFID, the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, UNDP and the Power of Nutrition.
              • Learning: Increase your problem-solving capabilities by delving into complex challenges. 

              How to apply: Forward your LinkedIn page or CV to careers@samhita.org, you can also apply on our careers page.


                 

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                Nagar, Goregaon East, Mumbai,
                Maharashtra 400063, IN

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