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 serve as Accounts Controller, monitoring standard operating procedures (SOPs) and village level finances at Drishtee.

The Controller of Accounts will improve and implement our accounting practices at the corporate office and more importantly in the villages. He/She will monitor cash and inventory reconciliation and manage company cash flow.

They will help plan for company budgets and will then monitor the operations to ensure plan adherence. Additionally, the Accounts Controller will manage all loans and cash advances and create financial reports for the VP of Finance. The preparation of the company Balance Sheet and P&L statements will also be under his/her purview. The Controller of Accounts will also ensure that Drishtee's processes are in compliance with statutory liabilities.

The Controller will also spend some time managing Drishtee's vendors. He/She will manage contract signing and payment processes for all vendors. The inventory and asset registers will also be maintained by him/her. Supporting periodic audits will be one of the Controller's major responsibilities.

The Controller of Accounts will work with a team of 1-3 professionals. He would report to the VP Finance Chief of Functions. Drishtee's work is in the villages and this project will enable us to keep a tight handle on our finances (approvals and expenses) there.

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

Required Skills and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree required with 3 years of related work experience.

Excellent accounting skills are a must.

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

English proficiency.

Compensation:   No

Housing:   Yes

Shared room in Company Guest House. Breakfast provided!

Contact:  
Contact Ms. Geeta Sangha