Starting Date: June 2025
Contract type: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: 16,40,067 INR, commensurate with relevant experience and skills
Location: New Delhi, India (Hybrid model)
Application closing date: 30 April 2025 (Application review will be happening on a rolling basis)
About the Job
We are looking for a Senior Programme Officer (SPO) to join the India Programme team. The SPO will be reporting to the Better Cotton India Senior Programme Coordinator, working very closely with the Better Cotton Programme Team and Programme Partners based in India.
Are you purpose-led and ready to embark on a journey to shape the future of sustainable cotton? Join us at Better Cotton as Senior Programme Officer and lead a global team responsible for delivering high impact communications for the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative – we support more sustainable farming practices and farm livelihoods for nearly 3 million farmers in the Better Cotton network in 23 countries around the world.
The Challenge
For Better Cotton, strengthening partnerships is crucial to driving systemic change at scale. The SPO role will focus on supporting the Better Cotton India Programme with deepening of existing collaborations and expanding into new partnerships to accelerate our progress towards 2030 impact areas.
Areas that play to your strengths
We are seeking a motivated Senior Programme Officer to join our India Programme Team. In this role, you will be responsible for:
1.Growth and Innovation Fund:
· Support in the successful completion of the Better Cotton internal funding mechanism each season, known as the GIF process, including the Small Farm Fund and the Knowledge Partner Fund. https://bettercotton.org/what-we-do/investing-in-farming-communities-growth-innovation-fund/
· Support in the pre-submission review and feedback process for all applicants, including multi-stage application review, as well as budget and logframe formulation.
· Support the Senior Programme Coordinator and relevant Relationship Manager in the assessment of project applications, with the finalisation of Project Assessment Sheets.
· Support the India Programme Team to ensure overall improvement in GIF application quality from Programme Partners and projects.
· Support the India Programme Team to continuously improve the support structure for GIF applicants, with improved transparency between Better Cotton Secretariat and Programme Partners.
· Support the Senior Programme Coordinator to formulate and implement a monitoring mechanism for the tracking of activities and fund utilisation, in line with approved project design, budget and MEL framework.
· Provide Support in finding new Knowledge Partners, including their onboarding and general ongoing support.
· Support the India Programme Team to ensure Knowledge Partner fund applicants submit proposals that are in line with Capacity Strengthening needs and gaps, and are designed in collaboration with relevant Better Cotton Programme Partners.
· Support in the monitoring of the GIF-funded Programme Partners, including conducting monitoring field visits, engaging with the Partner management teams, field teams and Better Cotton farmers and stakeholders to understand gaps and challenges-faced in achieving their Impact targets.
2.Due Diligence and Corrective Action Plan Monitoring
· Support the India Programme team, the Due Diligence committee and the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Working Group in the overall monitoring of the Due Diligence CAPs.
· Support the Senior Programme Coordinator and Relationship Managers in scheduling regular interaction with Programme Partners to help them in resolving CAP implementation challenges and roadblocks.
· Support in the coordination of CAP updates and liaise with the CAP working group and the Due Diligence committee for effective CAP update reviews.
· Conduct monitoring field visits to selected Programme Partners to understand the gaps and challenges-faced in reaching the CAP activity targets, and support partners in formulating strategies for their resolution.
3.Partnership Management and Stakeholder Engagement:
· Under the guidance of Senior Programme Coordinator, effectively manage relationship of selected Programme Partners to support them to deliver the programmes with quality.
· Support in identifying and engaging with relevant stakeholders who can support and further Better Cotton’s 2030 strategy in India, including supporting relevant organisations to enrol as Better Cotton Members.
· Support Better Cotton Partners identify meaningful and effective ways to engage communities in villages where Better Cotton Programme is implemented and contribute to their social and economic development.
· In collaboration with Better Cotton Partners, identify opportunities for collective action at the
field level and provide support to Partners for their materialisation.
· Support in the identification of new potential organisations who have expertise and viability to become new Programme Partners.
· Support in conducting initial reviews, secondary research, and direct discussions with interested organisation, and support the Senior Programme Coordinator to guide these organisations through the due-diligence process.
4.General Support to Capacity Strengthening and Programme Management
· Under the guidance of the Senior Programme Coordinator, support Programme Partners in effective cascading of Capacity Strengthening (CS) facilitated by Better Cotton India Programme Team to the appropriate level and follow up on actions from these activities.
· Support Better Cotton Partners to continuously improve the delivery of their capacity strengthening programmes; support them undertake effective monitoring and evaluation of those programmes.
· Support Better Cotton Partners to identify barriers to adoption of key sustainable practices faced by farmers and workers and support them find and implement solutions.
· Support the use of tools/approaches to monitor of the progress CS activities at the PP level.
· Support PPs monitor project outcomes and impact and support them to effectively communicate progress made and challenges faced internally and where relevant externally.
· Review and analyse important general trends from Monthly Progress Report received from the PPs to facilitate cross learning and support them where needed.
· Support PPs in improving their management, strategizing, and communication skills
5.Others:
· Support the Programme team with ongoing cross-functional collaborations with other teams and functions.
· Support in identifying fund-raising opportunities and help prepare proposals, support with donor reporting.
· Support in identifying and preparation of case studies and success stories by PPs and preparing reports for internal and external communication.
· Support development of materials to communicate about the India programme, its approaches, and achievements.
· Coordinate with other teams and functions as necessary.
· Undertake other duties as determined by the Line Manager, Senior Programme Manager, and the India Country Director which are compatible with the role and job description.
We are looking for someone who has
the following skills, knowledge, and experience:
Essential
· Master’s degree in any relevant field such as Agriculture, Soil Science, Natural Resource Management, Climate and Environmental Science, Social Sciences.
· At least 5 years’ work experience in a related sector, with at least 2 years’ experience of working with grass-roots organisations and rural communities.
· Proven ability of managing/assisting in partnership development activities.
· Demonstrated ability to coordinate with different teams and stakeholders.
· Excellent skills to communicate with diverse set of stakeholders.
· Ability to identify stakeholders, build relationships with them and manage those relationships
· Good understanding of ‘training of trainers’ process and ability to support organisations to identify and implement effective capacity building methods.
· Demonstrated ability to identify best practices, cross-fertilise ideas and support learning among different stakeholders.
· Fluent in English – ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both written and verbal
· Fluency in Hindi – ability to communicate clearly in Hindi.
· Proven ability to work productively in a fast-paced multi-cultural environment with minimal supervision.
· Strong problem-solving skills, and demonstrated ability to understand behaviour change, and ability to influence change.
· Proven experience in Partnership Management.
· Interest in sustainable agriculture, including natural resource management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable livelihoods, gender justice, and decent work.
· Excellent IT Skills including MS Office, including MS Word, Excel, Power Point.
· Willingness to travel – up to 25% of time.
· Experience in donor reporting, grant management, and writing fund raising proposals.
Desirable
· Fluency in one of the following Indian languages – Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Telugu, Kannada
Experience working with international non-profit organisations.
Prior experience working in the cotton sector/ agriculture
Understanding of the legal and policy framework governing agriculture in India.
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Experience with Standard Systems and Assurance.
Experience working with remote teams.
What we offer
· Competitive Salary
Hybrid working
The opportunity to work from anywhere in the world for up to one month per year
Flexible working, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local time
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Continuous learning and development
·
Pension scheme
·
25 days paid annual leave, plus 8-9 Bank Holidays and a further 3 discretionary days off over Christmas/year end period.
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Enhanced parental benefits
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A warm, positive working environment where everyone is valued
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The opportunity to make your mark and make a difference.
Working arrangements
The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will be based in Delhi (Hybrid model). Better Cotton offers flexible working, with core hours being 10 am – 4 pm.
Apply now
Send us your CV (2 pages maximum) and a brief cover letter (1-page maximum) by or before 30.04.2025 via this Apply Now link.
In your cover letter, please include an explanation of why your experience is specifically relevant to this role at Better Cotton. We want to see your personal style – what makes you tick and why you think your next opportunity is here with us.
Our hiring process
Initial Screening:
Applicant screening is a crucial step in our recruitment process. This stage may involve a brief phone interview or video call to evaluate your suitability for the position. During this screening, we review resumes and cover letters, and may conduct initial background checks to narrow down the pool of applicant. Internal candidates are encouraged to inform their line manager about their application to promote transparency and help facilitate a smooth transition if selected.
Interviews:
If you successfully pass the initial screening, you will be invited for interviews. The interview process at Better Cotton may include one or more rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, such as the hiring manager, team members, and potentially senior management. As an internal candidate, you may have discussions regarding your current responsibilities and how they will transition to the new position.
Assessment and Testing:
Depending on the role, you might be required to complete assessments, technical tests, or skills evaluations to gauge your competency and suitability for the position. Internal candidates may have the option to demonstrate their existing skills through current job performance or past project outcomes.
Reference Checks:
Once you progress further in the process, reference checks are conducted to validate your work history, skills, and qualifications, and for some roles, your education and criminal history. Internal candidates may be asked for references from current or previous supervisors within Better Cotton to provide insights into their performance and capabilities.
Offer stage:
After completing interviews, assessments, and reference checks, the hiring team evaluates your performance and fit for the role. If you are selected and your references are relevant and satisfactory, you will receive a formal job offer letter outlining the terms of employment, compensation, benefits, and any other relevant details. For internal candidates, the offer process may include a discussion about how your transition to the new role will be managed and any support needed for a smooth handover.
About Better Cotton
Better Cotton is a global not-for-profit organisation supporting the production of more equitable and sustainable cotton at farm level. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming community with partners, governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm to brand. In just 15 years we have aligned more than a fifth of the world’s cotton with our standard and helped farmers and farming communities thrive. Join us in building a better, more sustainable future for cotton worldwide.
About our Values
The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:
Being you @ Better Cotton
Better Cotton is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human, and financial resources.
We have a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviours that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of serious misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution. Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.
Programmes
New Delhi, India
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