Office/Unit/Project Description

More than half of all livelihoods in India is primarily dependent on agriculture. A massive 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities and 57% of the rural households are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, the agricultural sector is facing various challenges like small landholding, declining productivity, rising input costs, declining farm income, the adverse impact of climate change, and decline in the percentage share of workers engaged in the agriculture sector. Agricultural production shocks have huge social and financial repercussions, impacting rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and poverty rates.

The Government of India’s flagship schemes Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY) and KCC/MISS have become important tools to strengthen the resilience of Indian farmers. The schemes ensure maximum benefits for the farmers by providing financial risk protection against natural calamities and catastrophic events including pests, climate uncertainties and environmental shocks. Apart from providing comprehensive risk coverage for the entire crop cycle, PMFBY also enables direct claim transfer into farmers’ accounts through e-remittance. Additionally, to address agrarian distress, Kisan Credit Card/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) was introduced by the Government of India to provide cheap and hassle-free credit for millions of farmers and to ensure continued investment into agriculture to bring in mechanization, modernize agriculture practices and eventually enhance productivity.

UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2023-2027) intended outcome 2 states that “By 2027, people will benefit from and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through higher productivity, competitiveness and diversification in economic activities that create decent work, livelihoods, and income particularly for youth and women”. UNDP leverages its expertise in systems strengthening to support the Ministry of Agriculture through setting up of Central Program Management Unit (CPMU)for the implementation of PMFBY and KCC to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among marginalized and excluded farm households, offering innovative measures and support mechanisms for Agri-value chain financing, risk management and reduced crop loss for the rural population in India. The PMU will also focus on providing Capacity Building and Training support to participating state-level government departments involved in PMFBY and KCC and advancing the scheme among new states for improved uptake.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Purpose:

The Agri Finance & Investment Analyst- Technical Support Unit will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Programme Director-TSU. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Joint Secretary & CEO, DoA&FW, MoA&FW when needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Study latest advancements and trend in the field of agriculture, horticulture and other ancillary activities;
To help in assessing the financial need of people involved in the field of agriculture horticulture and other ancillary activities. To device innovative methods of financing to agriculture, Horticulture, Poultry Farming, Pisciculture, Dairy Farming, Agricultural Biotechnology, floriculture etc.;
To help in designing innovative products for agriculture Value chain Finance;
To assist in reviewing the role of business facilitator(BF) and Business correspondent (BC), in the field of Agriculture Finance;
To assist in reviewing the challenges in agriculture finance, and Agri Infra Finance and identify areas of improvement along with innovative financing solutions;
Support Ministry in policy decisions including modification of the agri finance Schemes administered by the Department;
To help in assessing the financial requirements of farmers and mechanisms of formal and informal financing support services, liaison with States, Bankers and Fintech/agri-tech entities. To review latest agri financing practices like Co-lending, Co-origination etc and to provide inputs for improvisation in the same for the benefits of farmers;
Coordinate with Financial Institutions and other Stakeholders for inputs and product re-design and innovation;
Give inputs for promotion of digital channel in transactions related to agriculture and promotion of eNAM Mandi in the country;
Coordinate with international crop-financing programmes and experts to draw on international best practices for improvement of agri credit schemes;
To assist in reviewing the current business practices and procedures inside and outside India to identify key risk factors and alignment to the agri-finance market;
Provide high level assistance to the Stakeholders including states, banks, fintech/agri-tech entities for the smooth implementation of the Scheme;
Perform any other tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the NPD – TSU.
Institutional Arrangement

Direct Reporting To1: Agri Finance and R&D Specialist (NPSA 10)
Overall Reporting To2: National Programme Director (NPSA 11)
Reportees to this position (if applicable): N.A

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree OR Masters’ Degree with specialization in Agriculture /Rural Management /Insurance /Finance/Banking /Investment or closely related field will be given due consideration.

Experience:

Minimum 4 (Bachelor’ Degree) or 2 years (Master’ Degree) of demonstrable related experience in national/ international/ public private organization’s projects;
Relevant Experience at the national level working with Governments and private entities in the insurance sector;
Additional years professional relevant experience in national/ international/ public private organizations projects;
Experience in the design of Agri and Agri value chain financing products and programs in India;
Relevant Experience at the national level working with Governments and private entities in the banking/finance sector;
Techno Functional Experience-Should have Techno Functional understanding (Basic) of IT Application Architecture of BFSI;
Have worked with Public sector/RRB’s /Pvt Sector/Co-operative bank, NBFC in the field of Agri Finance for 2 Years;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the organization;
Broad based knowledge current rural insurance and finance;
Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence;
Possesses the capacity for strategic planning, result – based management and reporting;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the organization.

Language Requirement

Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Hindi.

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