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 to create a fundraising program for Drishtee, one which bridges the gap between internal revenues and expenses.

As AVP of Business Development, the volunteer will be part of the fundraising team and will report directly to the President of Business Development. He/she will be responsible for managing relationships with philanthropic, funding, government and partner organizations to raise money for Drishtee. The raised capital could be in the form of an equity investment, debt or loan capital for microfinance or a grant.

The volunteer would use his/her personal network in addition to Drishtee contacts to initiate dialogue with target organizations. The business cycle would include contact initiation, creation and presentations of customized proposals, and the closing of a deal.

The AVP of Business Development would also be an active participant in networking events to create new strategic partnerships for Drishtee. He/She would manage te business development database and create and present a weekly report to the top management at Drishtee.

Working with a team of 2-3 professionals, the AVP of Business Development will generate the revenues needed for growth and cover short term funding gaps that will sustain Drishtee and propel it forward.

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

Required Skills and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree required; MBA preferred

Five years of related work experience. The ideal candidate will have a large personal network within the social entrepreneurial space.

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

English proficiency.

Compensation:   No

Housing:   Yes

Shared room in the Drishtee Company Guest House. Breakfast provided!

Contact:  
Contact Ms. Geeta Sangha