Project Unit Coordinator

About the Role

The Project Unit Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and supporting the effective implementation of the Better Cotton Project at the project-unit level. The role involves coordination with field teams, farmers, community stakeholders, and project management to ensure timely achievement of project targets, quality implementation, documentation, and reporting.

Role & responsibilities

1. Project Coordination & Implementation

• Coordinate day-to-day implementation of the Better Cotton Project in the assigned project unit.
• Ensure project activities are implemented as per approved plans, timelines, and Better Cotton standards.
• Prepare and monitor monthly and quarterly activity plans in coordination with the field team.
• Track project targets, milestones, deliverables, and overall progress.
• Identify implementation challenges and coordinate with concerned team members for timely resolution.

2. Field Team Coordination

• Provide regular guidance and support to Field Facilitators and other project staff.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor project activities and assess the quality of implementation.
• Review field-level reports, farmer records, attendance, training records, and other project documentation.
• Support the team in achieving farmer mobilization, training, awareness, and adoption targets.
• Conduct regular team meetings and review progress against planned targets.

3. Farmer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, community institutions, local stakeholders, and relevant government departments.
• Facilitate farmer meetings, awareness sessions, training programs, demonstrations, and other project activities.
• Promote adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among participating farmers.
• Support the field team in addressing farmer-level issues and maintaining effective relationships with project stakeholders.

4. Monitoring, Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain accurate project records, databases, trackers, and supporting documentation.
• Review and consolidate field-level data and submit periodic reports to the reporting manager.
• Monitor project indicators and prepare progress reports against approved targets.
• Ensure timely submission of MIS, monthly reports, photographs, success stories, case studies, and other project documents.
• Maintain proper documentation for audits, assessments, and project reviews.

5. Team Management & Capacity Building

• Support induction and orientation of new project staff.
• Identify training and capacity-building requirements of field team members.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing and best-practice sessions within the project team.
• Monitor team performance and provide regular feedback to the reporting manager.

6. Coordination & Communication

• Coordinate regularly with the Project Manager, Regional HR, Finance, Admin, and other relevant departments.
• Support project budgeting, procurement, logistics, and administrative requirements wherever required.
• Represent the project in relevant meetings, workshops, and stakeholder forums as assigned.

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agriculture, Rural Development, Agribusiness, or a related discipline.
• Candidates with relevant qualifications and experience in agriculture or rural development may also be considered.

Experience

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in project coordination, agriculture, rural development, farmer engagement, livelihood, or development-sector projects.
• Experience in implementing agricultural sustainability, cotton, climate-smart agriculture, farmer mobilisation, or similar projects will be an added advantage.
• Experience in team coordination, field monitoring, MIS, and project reporting is preferred.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong project coordination and execution skills.
• Good understanding of agriculture and rural development.
• Strong field monitoring and team coordination abilities.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with farmers and rural communities.
• Good reporting, documentation, and MIS skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Willingness to undertake frequent field visits.
• Good command of Marathi and Hindi; knowledge of English will be an advantage.

Preferred candidate profile