Development Assistant

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation; Nayagarh; On-site; INR 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Nayagarh District, Odisha, invites field-based workers for project activities under RKVY. The role focuses on mobilizing farming communities, conducting village meetings, and supporting trainings, demonstrations, and data collection.

Successful candidates will travel to project areas, foster SHGs and FPOs, and coordinate with the MIS team to ensure timely reporting and input distribution. Sep 2026 – Aug 2029, 6 positions available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Nutrition, Rural Development, or related field preferred.
• Candidates with Intermediate/10+2 with relevant field experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Travel extensively to project areas as needed.
• Conduct regular village meetings and mobilize communities.
• Collect baseline data and maintain input registers.
• Facilitate trainings and exposures for beneficiaries.
• Coordinate farm demonstrations and crop/ nutrition activities.
• Provide technical support and handholding to farmers and SHGs.
• Link community efforts with project team and MIS.
• Support input distribution and monitoring of utilization.
• Maintain records and submit reports to the project coordinator.

Skills

Community mobilization

Training delivery

Data collection

Record keeping

Field demonstrations

Communication

SHGs & FPOs experience

Panchayat liaison

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture/Fisheries/Nutrition/Rural Development

Intermediate/10+2 with relevant field experience

Job description

The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), founded in 1988 by Professor M.S. Swaminathan, works at the intersection of science, technology, and sustainable rural development. MSSRF is present in nine states of India. More information: https://www.mssrf.org/

Job Description

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana ( RKVY ) aims to improve the health, nutrition and livelihood status of small and marginal farming communities by ensuring availability and access to nutrient rich food in a farming system for nutrition model.

• Ready to travel extensively in the project areas as per the need of the program.
• He/she will conduct regular village meetings, social mobilization, group meetings, maintain input registers, collect base line data in a prescribed format, and facilitate beneficiaries for trainings & exposures.
• Conduct farm day, crop cutting, monitoring the on-farm, off-farm, non-farm activities conducted through project.
• He/she will be very familiar with beneficiaries and ready to solve their problems with consultation or investing his own knowledge and Ideas.
• He/she will be a catalyst for beneficiaries and provide input to the technical assistant and scientists.
• Assist in implementation of field-level activities (crop production, nutrition gardens, poultry, aquaculture, demonstrations).
• Provide technical support and handholding to farmers and SHGs.
• Facilitate training sessions and awareness programmes at village level.
• Collect field data, maintain records, and submit reports to the project coordinator/MIS expert.
• Support input distribution and monitoring of utilization.
• Act as a link between community and project team, ensuring smooth communication.
• Any other work assignment by the Team Leader/ Supervisor.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Nutrition, Rural Development, or related field will be preferred.
• Candidates with Intermediate/10+2 with relevant field experience may also be considered.

Experience

• Practical knowledge of crop production, nutrition gardens, backyard poultry, aquaculture, or allied activities.
• Ability to mobilize communities, support farmer groups, and conduct field demonstrations.
• Basic skills in record keeping, data collection, and reporting.
• Hands-on involvement in farmer training, input distribution, and field-level monitoring.
• Experience working with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Panchayat institutions.
• Experience in community mobilization and awareness campaigns.
• Familiarity with local language

Period: Sep 2026 – August 2029

No. of Positions

6

Location

Nayagarh District, Odisha