Departmentally Embedded PMU Staff, Horticulture - Athena Infonomics

About the Organization:

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics has established itself as a data-driven global consultancy that leverages social science research, data science, and technology to provide user-centric, context-specific solutions and advice to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, US and Europe exemplify extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.

Our team of data scientists apply agile programming and ICT tools in order to deliver responsive and practical data and digital solutions—making for an innovative, technology-oriented business model that sets us apart in the international development space.

Job Description:

The Embedded PMU Staff – Horticulture will anchor program delivery within the Department of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP). The role bridges horticulture policy, digital service delivery, and RSK operations, ensuring effective integration of departmental priorities with the GoAP Project Management Unit (PMU) framework.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Integration:

• Align horticulture schemes (area expansion, high-density planting, protected cultivation, IPM, post-harvest management, market infrastructure) with real-time data from RSKs and field systems.

Data & Advisory Management:

• Validate crop area, production estimates, and pest/disease data; ensure field alerts translate into timely interventions through digital dashboards.

Seasonal Coordination:

• Work with District Implementation Cells (DICs) to manage planting, flowering, harvesting, pest campaigns, and market operations.

Digital Advisory:

• Develop Telugu advisories (WhatsApp/IVR/SMS) on nursery management, fertigation, pest control, harvesting, and price updates.

Policy Convergence:

• Harmonize state and central schemes (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises, National Horticulture Board, crop insurance) for impact and alignment with AP Horticulture Mission and value chain programs.

Strategic Collaboration:

• Support data interoperability, coordinate with M&E teams to track outcomes (income, value addition, women’s participation), and channel ground insights into policy and planning.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience:

• M.Sc. (Horticulture/Agriculture) with specialization in Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post-Harvest Technology, Plant Protection, or Agribusiness.

Experience:

• 6–10 years in horticulture development, extension, FPO promotion, value chains, or rural livelihoods.

Attributes:

• Technically sound, digitally fluent, field-oriented, and collaborative professional passionate about improving farmer livelihoods.

Skills Required

• Technical: Knowledge of fruit and vegetable crop systems, varietal selection, phenology, and pest control.

• Digital: Experience with horticulture MIS, GIS mapping, and dashboards (Power BI/Tableau).

• Project Management: Ability to prioritize, coordinate across schemes, and manage reporting deliverables.

• Interpersonal: Facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder management with farmers, FPOs, and processors.

• Analytical: Interpret field and market data for program insights and decisions.

• Capacity Building: Design and deliver training for field staff on digital literacy and evidence-based advisories.

Desired Capabilities

• Exposure to digital fisheries and aquaculture platforms, IoT sensors, and satellite monitoring tools.

• Understanding of fisheries value chains, cold chain, processing, and market systems.

• Experience managing convergence projects involving cooperatives, research institutes, and private partners.

• Analytical skills for dashboard insights and reporting.

• Familiarity with sustainable aquaculture, coastal management, and climate adaptation approaches.