Project on Barefoot Technicians (BFT) Cell

1 Project Background

For the grounding of the Barefoot Technician concept with State Governments, it is sought to house a Cell of young technical professionals to support the development, roll out, monitoring and scale up of Barefoot Technicians in the country.

2 Function of BFT Cell

a. Serve as a technical assistance hub for State Governments and provide them assistance on any matter related to the implementation of BFT in a speedy and pro-active basis. This will include preparation of training modules, conduct of training, quality control, evaluation and placement of BFTs.

b. Serve as a knowledge repository for all technical matters related to BFT and other aspects of implementing Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. This will include updating training material, development of audio-visual material, compilation of best practices etc.

c. Co-ordinate operational aspects of BFT with the MoRD, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, State Governments and State Institutes of Rural Development.

d. Conduct evaluations, host workshops, discussions and reviews to deliberate on progress made and key challenges ahead. Periodically submit reports to the Ministry, for improving the quality of implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.

e. Serve as a platform for Central Government, State Governments, Technical Agencies, International Agencies and Civil Society Organizations to interface with each other towards improving the technical aspects of the delivery of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.

3. Key Results Expected

a. Training Material

Facilitation of translation of training content in regional languages;

Development of audio-visual content and presentations as per training material;

Provide inputs for development of other training material developed by Ministry;

Maintaining repository of all training material for Mahatma Gandhi NREGA;

b. Support to State Governments for roll out and deployment of BFTs

Preliminary meetings with State Governments on BFT;

Assist State Government in correct identification of BFTs and trainers;

Cultivation of capable Master Trainers/Trainers trained and made available;

Conduct of Training of Trainers nominated by State Governments;

Ensuring evaluation and accreditation of Trainers and recommendation to states;

Support for training implementation and management capacity of SIRDs/other institutions;

c. Monitoring and quality assurance for training and deployment of BFTs

Support for coordination services to on-going training programmes at SIRDs/other institutions;

Monitoring of quality of training being given as per prescribed module;

Ensuring adequate facilities, training aids and material is provided;

Continuous assessment and support to candidates throughout training;

Ensuring evaluation and accreditation of BFTs;

Effective technology development and information service developed and provided;

d. Support to BFTs on the job

Supporting State Government to ensure deployment of BFTs with determined role responsibilities;

Hand hold BFTs once deployed on executing role responsibilities;

Conducting information dissemination and BFT awareness workshops with other technical functionaries on role of BFT;

Assisting in organisation of joint workshops of BFT and other technical functionaries at the State Government level.

e. Advocacy through establishment of collaboration network

Assist in organising peer review learning workshops between states;

Assessment of impact of BFTs as per stated objectives;

Effective collaboration network established and utilised;

Develop model training centres and centres of excellence of BFT at State level;

4. Recruitment Qualifications

a. Education:

1. Essential

Masters in Social Sciences or in relevant area.

2. Desirable

Masters in Engineering

b. Experience:

i. Essential

At least two-three years of work experience in rural development sector.

ii. Desirable

Experience with Civil Society Organisations working on MGNREGA would be preferable.

Experience of working with government to implement social sector programmes would be an asset.

c. Knowledge and Skills:

Understanding of development challenges and rural poverty.

Familiarity with government policies, programmes and government operational systems in India.

Knowledge of MGNREGA processes and challenges, particularly at the ground level.

Ability to coordinate effectively between multi stakeholders

Knowledge of engineering concept is an asset but not essential. Familiarisation of the concept of barefoot technicians and the permissible works and processes under MGNREGA is essential.

Ability to work in small teams, and flexible ways of working.

Strong communication (written and oral) skills.

Proficiency in MS-Office, especially Power Point and Excel; understanding of Management Information System (MIS) would be an asset.

d. Language:

Fluency in English and Hindi is essential. Knowledge of regional language(s) would be an asset.

e. Age : 45 years and below

5. Governance Structure

a. BFT Cell will be housed within Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Division, Ministry of Rural Development.

b. Consultants will be hired for a period of one year on contract basis subject to renewal for duration of the project.

c. All consultants are engaged at a national level for the activities detailed in ToR.

d. Existing Programme Executive on BFT will co-ordinate the activities of the consultants and report to Joint Secretary (RE), Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.

e. Joint Secretary (RE) will review the functioning of the Project BFT Cell on a quarterly basis.

6. Location

a. The office for this purpose will be in New Delhi at the same location of other NREGA consultants.

b. All consultants are expected to travel to States on a regular basis.

c. Consultants may also be deputed to states for short-term duration.

7. Finances

Consultants will be paid a consolidated remuneration of Rs. 80,000 per month for a period of one year.

a. They will be provided with a laptop each.

b. They will be provided travel support to States, as required.

8. Submission of Applications

All the interested and eligible candidates are required to submit the application through On-line format available on NIRDPR website (www.nird.org.in ). The application format is made available on or before 28.6.2017.

Only shortlisted candidates selected on the basis of education and experience will be called for interview

In case more qualified candidates are found suitable, a written test on analytical skills, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and other Rural Development Programmes and issues related to Barefoot Technologies etc. will be conducted to scrutinize the candidate.

The last date for receiving applications through online is 7/7/2017

The interviews (if necessary written test) will be conducted on the premises of NIRD&PR, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad

Shortlisted candidates will be informed only through online (e-mail)

Candidates are advised to submit the applications\ only through online