On-site -- Sector:62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Ashoka Fellow: Satyan Mishra Website: Drishtee In rural India, villagers live without easy access to trade, government, business, and health information. This makes them easy prey for intermediaries who control the flow of information and can demand high payments to allow villagers access to it. Satyan is building service kiosks in countryside villages to bring internet connections and ready, affordable access to information.

Description of Volunteer Opportunity

Drishtee is a rural distribution network that delivers need based products and services to rural communities. Over the past nine years, Drishtee has developed an expertise in rolling out a unique last mile distribution network, built on both Information and Communication Technology (ICT) application and "ground Level entrepreneurship." The distribution network is represented by local entrepreneurs at the retail end who provide access to their community at minimum opportunity cost. To spread its network, Drishtee follows a two-pronged strategy - creating its own network of kiosk franchisees providing services to the local community and tapping the existing rural retail point (RRPs) in the villages under the Supply Chain Managment model (SCM).

We currently have a network of over 4,200 micro-enterprises run by rural entrepreneurs across India that are connected through our supply chain network. Through this network, we provide them and thus their subsequent customers (people living in rural India) with access to essential products and services like education, health care, and financial services including micro-finance and retail products.

We are looking for a volunteer who could develop, implement and monitor processes around the financial management of the organization. This volunteer would manage the finances associated with all new projects that Drishtee aims to undertake.

The VP Finance position will provide financial expertise in preparing proposals for new projects that Drishtee aims to acquire. This would include preparing an execution plan and budgets for future projects.

The VP Finance volunteer will also monitor the execution of projects and manage budgets with a mandate to save 30% of the allocated funds. He/she will also ensure that the projects undertaken by Drishtee follow the projected milestones. This will enable timely payments from various funding agencies.

The VP Finance volunteer will report to top management on subjects including opportunities and threats for Drishtee and the Drishtee Foundation.

The VP Finance volunteer will have access to the top management at Drishtee and will work with a team of 3-4 full time professionals. This project will impact the organization by bringing the company closer to international standards in financial management.

This is a unusual opportunity to get first-hand experience with emerging economies and to work with a supportive and effective team of social entrepreneurs.

Dates:   IMMEDIATELY for a minimum of one year, 9 hours/day five days/week

Required Skills and Experience:

English required

Masters degree or MBA (preferably in finance)

Five years of related work experience

A keen interest in rural development and a penchant towards working in an emerging economy.

Compensation:   No

Housing:   Yes

Shared housing in Drishtee Guest House. Breakfast provided!

Contact:  
Contact Ms. Geeta Sangha