Project Manager – Tea Value Chain (m/w/d)

SELCO Foundation, a not-for-profit, engages in field-based R&D and ecosystem building for development of decentralized renewable energy solutions that alleviate poverty in urban, rural, and tribal poor areas. The organization works across verticals such as energy access, build environment, health, skill development, energy entrepreneurs and partners from various developmental sectors. Foundation seeks to inspire and implement socially, financially, and environmentally inclusive solutions by improving access to sustainable energy.As one of the priority development verticals, we are working to develop sustainable energy driven solutions for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and allied livelihoods. Under this vertical we have been working on specific value chains such as cereals millets, oilseeds, Dairy, Poultry and livelihoods cooling as a solution cutting across all horticulture produce. SELCO Foundation seeks to develop sustainable energy solutions across agriculture commodity specific value chains to improve, diversify farm incomes and reduce drudgery across practices and processes – on farm and in post-harvest processing. Specifically, we are looking at clean and efficient technologies that bring about value among small marginal farmers and entrepreneurs, FPOs, FPC's, SHG and other stakeholders.You can find more information on this program and SELCO Foundation on our Organization Website.

About the Role – Tea Value Chain

As part of the livelihoods vertical, SELCO Foundation is developing sustainable energy- driven solutions for the Tea Value Chain in Assam. The focus would beon improving productivity, energy efficiency, reducing drudgery, improvement in tea quality, time saving / labour optimization, sustainability, unlocking financing, and creating scalable models for smallholder tea farmers, producer groups, and entrepreneurs.We are looking for a Project Manager with 6–7 years of relevant experience in the social sector, preferably with exposure to livelihoods, financial linkages, and value chain strengthening. The candidate will be based in Dibrugarh, Assam and will play a pivotal role in program design, implementation, stakeholder engagement, and ecosystem building.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research, identification, and deployment of Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions across the tea value chain, specifically in artisanal and mini tea factories (e.g., solar dryers, rollers, hybrid systems).
• Develop and test technical, financial, and business models for different end-user typologies within the tea ecosystem.
• Build partnerships and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders including Government led or supported organizations, tea sector industry associations community-based organizations like FPOs, self-help groups, individual tea producers, tea machinery suppliers and financial institutions.
• Facilitate unlocking of loans and financing support for end-users and empaneled vendors.
• Coordinate technology transfer and vendor empanelment processes for identified interventions.
• Conduct site visits, monitor implementations, and capture pre- and post- deployment learnings.
• Collaborate with the Tech, knowledge and communications teams to develop case studies, awareness materials, and advocacy documents (flyers, decks, videos).
• Support training and capacity-building efforts for end-users, entrepreneurs, and local stakeholders.
• Ensure cross-learning by coordinating with other geographies and thematic verticals within SELCO.

Key Requirements

• 6–7 years of relevant work experience in the development/social sector, with demonstrated exposure to livelihoods, value chains, or enterprise development.
• Strong understanding of financial linkages and experience in unlocking loans for rural enterprises or farmer groups.
• Project management and operational experience, with the ability to design, implement, and scale interventions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and ecosystem-building skills.
• Strong documentation and presentation skills (Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Interest in energy access, livelihoods, and sustainable development.
• Fluency in English, Assamese (Mandatory), Hindi.