CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Next Generation Leaders – ISAP
About ISAP and this call
ISAP India Foundation is inviting applications from mid-career development professionals to join a Next Generation Leaders cadre that will work alongside ISAP's senior leadership to grow the organisation into new programme areas, geographies and partnerships.
For over two decades, ISAP has worked with smallholder farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), rural women and youth across India on agriculture, agribusiness, livelihoods and market linkages, in partnership with government, CSR, multilateral and philanthropic funders. [Add: years of operation, states covered, number of farmers/FPOs reached, flagship programmes.
As ISAP expands, its leadership needs a strong second line that can own execution, build teams and open up new areas of work. This call seeks a small group of such leaders.
The opportunity
ISAP plans to select 4 leaders, each anchoring one growth area while contributing to organisation-wide priorities. Indicative focus areas.
Focus area:
- FPOs and agri value chains
- Women, youth and skilling
- Partnerships and resource mobilisation
- Knowledge, MEL and digital
What the leader would build:
- Scale FPO promotion, market linkages, agri-enterprise and agritech partnerships
- Livelihoods, entrepreneurship and skilling portfolios for rural women and youth
- CSR, multilateral, government and philanthropic partnerships; proposal pipeline
- Monitoring and evaluation, impact evidence, data systems and knowledge products
Position title: Senior Manager – Next Generation Leadership
Location: New Delhi, with travel to project states
Reports to: CEO, ISAP
Engagement: Full-time
Key responsibilities:
- Programme leadership: Own delivery of a portfolio of projects in the assigned area, on time, on budget and to donor standards.
- Growth and new areas: Identify opportunities, design new programmes and lead concept notes and proposals with the leadership team.
- Team building: Recruit, mentor and manage project teams and field staff who will execute on the ground.
- Partnerships: Build and manage relationships with government departments, CSR partners, donors, research bodies and private sector players.
- Systems and quality: Strengthen MEL, reporting, compliance and documentation for the portfolio.
- Leadership support: Act as a sounding board and stand-in for senior leadership on strategy, representation and internal decision-making.
Who should apply:
Essential:
- Postgraduate degree in agribusiness, rural management, agriculture, development studies, economics, social sciences or a related field.
- 8–12 years of experience in the development sector, of which at least 3 years leading projects or teams.
- Proven track record in at least one of the focus areas above.
- Experience working with government, CSR or donor-funded programmes, including reporting and compliance.
- Strong writing, communication and stakeholder management skills in English and Hindi.
Desirable:
- Experience in proposal writing and resource mobilisation with a record of funds raised.
- Field experience across multiple Indian states; knowledge of a regional language.
- Exposure to digital tools, data systems or agritech.
- We are looking for people who take ownership, are entrepreneurial about new ideas, are comfortable in both the field and the boardroom, and want to grow into senior leadership roles.
What we offer:
- A defined leadership track with direct exposure to ISAP's senior leadership, board and key partners.
- Ownership of a growth area, with the room to shape new programmes and build your own team.
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
- Opportunities for learning, representation at national and international forums, and progression to senior management.
How to apply:
Send the following to souvik.dhar@isapindia.org with the subject line "Application – Next Generation Leader – [Focus area]" by 10th October 2026
Updated CV (maximum 2 pages).
A one-page note: which focus area you would lead, and what you would build there in your first 12 months.
Current and expected compensation, and notice period.
Names and contacts of two professional referees.