Designation: Senior Program Manager– Women Entrepreneurship
Organization: SwitchON Foundation
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal (travelling involved as per the need)
Work Experience: 8-12 years
Compensation: 80000-90000 take home (depending on skills,experience & last drawn)
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English, Hindi & Bengali
Position Summary
SwitchON Foundation is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Program Manager– Women Entrepreneurship to lead and strengthen its flagship Udyamini Programme. The role will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership, overseeing programme planning, implementation, team management, donor and government engagement, and programme expansion. The incumbent will drive women-led entrepreneurship, strengthen SHGs and community institutions, and ensure high-quality programme delivery and sustainable impact across multiple geographies.
Key Responsibilities
Rural Women Entrepreneurship Program
- Lead the Gender & Entrepreneurship thematic area of the Udyamini Program as the primary technical focal point.
- Design and strengthen strategies for SHG development and women-led enterprise growth through capacity building, market linkages, and business development support.
- Review and validate training modules developed with external consultants before implementation.
- Lead entrepreneurship training for women entrepreneurs and refine content based on field learnings.
- Track SHG performance, identify implementation gaps, and recommend corrective actions.
Gender-based FPO Accelerator
- Lead implementation of the Gender-focused FPO Accelerator from planning to execution.
- Monitor FPO performance against project plans and recommend course corrections.
- Ensure high-quality delivery of technical training and capacity-building interventions for FPOs.
Partnerships & Donor Management
- Manage day-to-day donor engagement, reporting, and communication.
- Build and maintain partnerships with government departments and ecosystem stakeholders, including NRLM, MSRLM, and NABARD.
- Support proposal development, concept notes, and donor reporting for gender and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Team Support & Program Quality
- Mentor and guide field teams to ensure quality implementation across SHG and FPO interventions.
- Coordinate with internal teams and external partners for effective program delivery.
- Document key learnings, best practices, and success stories to support organizational learning.
Qualifications, Experience & Skills
Education:
- Master's degree in Rural Development, Social Work, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Entrepreneurship, Management, Economics, or a related discipline.
- Certification in Gender, Livelihoods, Entrepreneurship Development, Project Management, or Rural Development will be an added advantage.
Experience:
- 8-12 years of progressive experience in gender, livelihoods, entrepreneurship development, and community institution strengthening.
- Minimum 6 years of experience working with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women collectives, and women-led enterprises.
- Experience working with NRLM/SRLM, NABARD, CSR-funded programs,
- donor-funded projects, or government livelihood missions is highly preferred.
- Proven experience in stakeholder management, program implementation, and team mentoring.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment.
- Expertise in SHG strengthening and institution building.
- Enterprise Development and Livelihood Promotion.
- Business Planning and Market Linkages.
- Strong hold & ability to build rapport with the field workers.
- Financial Inclusion and Access to Credit.
- Capacity Building and Adult Learning Methodologies.
- Program Management and Project Planning.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management.
- Proposal Development and Donor Reporting.
- Monitoring, Documentation, and Report Writing.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Reporting Structure
Travel Requirements
Open to frequent travel across West Bengal including PAN India level as required for program implementation, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, training, and partner coordination.
Application Process
To apply, please complete the application form and upload your updated CV to this link : https://forms.gle/NmTGoJeumhFeSKkj8
About SwitchON Foundation
Established in 2008, SwitchON Foundation is a pioneering non-profit organisation committed to driving sustainable development through innovative solutions in climate-resilient agriculture, clean energy, green livelihoods, and industry decarbonization. With a passionate team of over 175 professionals, we operate across 10 states in India, empowering communities with climate-smart technologies and practices.
Recognized as a Great Place to Work, SwitchON Foundation takes pride in its inclusive and diverse workplace, with strong representation of women in leadership roles. Our impact is amplified through a combination of innovative programs, social enterprises, and strategic policy advocacy aimed at creating lasting change.
To learn more about our work, please visit: www.switchon.org.in