Background

Reach Out Water Solutions-ROWS business was developed by cross-border/ cross-functional team of students from University of Minnesota and IIT Bombay, through a semester-long class mentoring design thinking first-of-its-kind innovative program supported by extensive field research. ROWS is the winner of 2009 Acara Challenge amongst several teams who partcipated world-wide and builds on the infrastructure created by The World Bank's Mumbai SSP-Slum Sanitation Project.

Opportunity Description

We need you because you are passionate about social change and believe in entrepreneurship. Acara Institute (http://acarainstitute.org/) takes pride in the process driven approach to global societal challenges and in the commitment of our mentors. We look for the best! 

This is a social business opportunity. We cannot guarantee that there will be profits in near term, but if you have the persistence Acara's founders' are looking for, and if you are patient, there may be exceptional rewards for you in the future. Completing the application process and passing the Acara board review does not necessarily mean you are successful. It simply means you are eligible to receive start-up assistance and your business is available for distributing water to slums of Mumbai. Acara's friends in industry may view and perhaps choose you as their partner, depending on your performance and celebrate your success.

Additional business plans in the area of rainwater harvesting and reuse also were developed as part of the challenge. These plans would also be available to the candidate and could be incorporated into the overall plan as the candidate sees fit.

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Location: An organization of repute has offered office facilities in Mumbai

Key Responsibilities

A business plan & design of a pilot project to distribute ultra-violet treated water on cost recovery/payment basis in the slums of Mumbai is available. A process of identifying the initial site, background information and support from mentors and institutions such as IIT-Bombay, is also provided-for. A grant of Rs.15 lakhs from Department of Science and Technology as start-up capital could also be possible. A team of technical consultants from USA, who initiated ground research for this project, will provide necessary guidance and connections. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects (e.g. Creation, Execution, Management and Development) of the slum water distribution business in Mumbai. The candidate will have total control and even change business model to suit local conditions/ground realities.

Requirements

• A degree from a recognized university
• A valid PAN cardholder resident of Mumbai, familiar with its locations and public transport system
• Business project planning & management skills
• Computer/Internet savvy
• Good communication and project management skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• Professional business background
• Past experience in dealing with slum dwellers especially Mumbai
• Prior experience in dealing with BMC staff, Community Based Organizations (CBO’s)
• Experience with strategizing, surveying, market assessment, hiring, business process improvement etc
• Fluency in English, Hindi, Marathi - local language communication skills

Contact : Write to Fred Rose (fred.rose@acarainstitute.org) and Rahul Arora (rahul.shal@gmail.com)