Associate – Programme Management & Research in Technology & Innovation

Finovista; Hinoba-an; On-site; PHP 591,000 - 986,000; Full time

Job summary

Finovista is seeking a Project Management Coordinator to support the Technology Development Fund (TDF) desk at DRDO. You will coordinate stakeholders and manage project lifecycles, including documentation and funding processes.

The role targets engineers or science graduates with 1–3 years in startups/MSME innovation programmes, strong analytical and drafting skills, and willingness to travel across India; familiarity with government schemes is a plus.

Qualifications

• Candidate from Engineer/Science with 1–3 years in Startups/MSME innovation programmes.
• Experience in managing schemes/innovation programmes preferred.
• Analytical mindset capable of synthesising technical and operational information.
• Willingness to travel across India.

Responsibilities

• Project Management Coordination: End-to-end management of TDF projects from EoI to completion.
• Research & Analysis: Study emerging technologies and prepare briefs.
• Query Management: Manage queries regarding scheme guidelines and funding.
• Documentation: Maintain participant profiles, project briefs, and backend records.
• Outreach: Organise events and seminars with stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Drafting skills

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Engineer/Science background

Job description

(Note – Only candidates with 1.5 to 3 years of experience, from science and technology as educational background should apply)

About the Project

The Project would support the initiatives of the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) executed by the Directorate of Technology Development Fund, aimed at supporting the technology development ecosystem of India’s defence sector using grants and agreements to industries, especially MSME and startups.

a dedicated TDF desk will be managed by Finovista, to support the TDF scheme’s project management, branding, and outreach to industries, industry associations, and other stakeholders.

Finovista, is supporting DRDO to set up and manage the TDF Desk at DRDO. People working on working under the TDF Desk will be associated with Finovista.

About FINOVISTA

Finovista is a Programme Management Agency, specialising in a range of Capacity Building Programmes, Innovation Challenges, Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Investor Pitching & Connect, and Training. As a sector-agnostic consulting firm, it focuses on various fields, such as Defence and Aerospace, Manufacturing, Clean Cooking, Energy, Environment, Low Carbon Growth Technology, Green Finance, Result-Based Finance, Carbon Finance, and Social Enterprise Development. Finovista works with Government, International Agencies, Development Agencies, Academia, and Corporates from India and worldwide. It provides Conceptualization, Design, Development, and Implementation services for their Programme in India.

Note: As DRDO is a high-security zone, selected candidates will need to get a Police Clearance Certificate upon joining Finovista.

Job Responsibilities:

Project Management Co-ordination

• Close coordination and Liaising with stakeholders such as the defence tri-services, DRDO labs, and participant companies.
• End-to-end management of TDF projects from the Expression of Interest stage till completion of the project.
• Tracking and monitoring of projects across their lifecycle
• Expediting and assisting in project approval processes in DRDO, including preparation of necessary documentation/project briefs.
• Management of TDF projects on the dedicated website drdo.gov.in including opening projects for Expression of Interest, creating a summary of applications received, moving the projects across project stages, and closing the projects as and when required.
• Assisting all participant companies with processing fund releases post-award of the project as per the agreed-upon funding plan.

Research & Analysis

• Conduct research on emerging technologies, innovation trends, and government programmes relevant to the TDF Scheme.
• Prepare research briefs, analytical reports, and background notes to support project evaluation, programme management, and strategic decision-making.
• Work on technical documentation.

Query Management

• Management of a dedicated query management system and assisting participant companies with all queries regarding the scheme and its guidelines, such as regarding application and funding.
• Manage the Query Management System for the programme, including training the dedicated resources and establishing a query assignment method, for all queries received from all interested participants and stakeholders.
• Manage all participant company profiles/ documentation on the scheme website backend.
• Develop and manage internal databases/apps for project tracking and management, and technology availability across India.
• Organise Outreach Events and Seminars with different actors across the scheme’s spectrum.
• Conduct events such as workshops, webinars for promoting the TDF Scheme by DRDO.
• Assist and tie-up with other ministries, departments or academia executing similar scheme.

Qualifications:

• Candidate from Engineer/Science and having 1 to 3 years of professional work experience in StartUp/ MSME in Innovation support Programme
• Prior Experience in Managing Schemes/Innovation programmes would be preferred
• Analytical mindset with the ability to analyse and synthesise technical and operational information into concise decision-support briefs
• Excellent drafting skills; the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and simply, in writing and verbally, to technology
• Ability/capacity to undertake travel in India