About Us
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.The international business community is taking notice of this unique approach: in 2021 alone, Athena Infonomics was recognized on
The Financial Times, Nikkei Asia, and Statista’s High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021 and 2022 ranking, and was selected as one of
The Economic Times and Statista’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 India Growth Champions.
Position Overview
The Departmentally Embedded PMU Staff – Agriculture anchors program delivery inside the Department of Agriculture, acting as the bridge between policy, product, and RBK operations for the AI-Enabled Agriculture Project Management Unit (PMU) in Andhra Pradesh. The role requires a strategic leader who can blend systems-level governance navigation, operational delivery, and multi-stakeholder engagement with sufficient technical grounding to command credibility across agriculture, rural development, climate, and digital transformation domains.
Reporting:
Reporting to PMU Lead
Location:
Department of Agriculture HQ (Vijayawada/Amaravati) with extensive field travel
Tenure:
2 years, renewable based on performance
Core Responsibilities
The incumbent serves as the
sectoral anchor
for all agriculture initiatives within the PMU framework, ensuring departmental priorities, schemes, and data systems (e-Cropping, Soil Health Cards, Input Subsidy workflows) are accurately integrated into the RSK dashboard.
Key Functions
- Align departmental schemes (crop planning, input distribution, extension services) with real-time field data flows for evidence-driven advisories
- Localize AI-powered advisories into RBK workflows and ensure input-advisory-procurement chains function coherently
- Maintain agriculture module roadmap with AP AIMS 2.0; validate crop classification and acreage estimates
- Translate pest/disease forward warnings into timely field actions; align input inventory planning with agronomic calendars and e-Panta/IFMS checks
- Drive District Implementation Cells (DICs) to run seasonal sprints and harmonize district-specific crop-water-market calendars
- Prepare advisory scripts for WhatsApp/IVR/SMS in Telugu
- Facilitate policy-program convergence between centrally sponsored schemes (PM-Kisan, PMFBY, PMKSY) and state initiatives
- Act as feedback loop between farmers, RSKs, and policymakers, channeling ground realities into actionable insights.
Essential Tasks
- RSK & District Engagement
- Support RSK and District operations, ensuring AI-powered advisories become simplified, actionable services for farmers
- Validate crop acreage/health dashboards; review pest forward-warning maps; trigger RBK action cards (demo plots, spray advisories, nutrient recommendations); coordinate input allocation with district supply; support procurement centers; run farmer meetings
- Lead season reviews; collate RSK feedback; refine advisory scripts; produce briefs on yield, price realization, and adoption barriers; work with Vassar Labs to tune thresholds
- Convene FPO/market partners for offtake pilots; support tenant farmer credit pathways with PACS/JLGs
- Evidence & Data Integration
- Support AP AIMS 2.0 data pipeline integration into farmer advisories, RBK dashboards, and district planning workflows
- Ensure MEL is embedded: baselines, midlines, endlines systematically captured and converted into product/policy changes
- Team Leadership & Capacity Building
- Build and mentor multidisciplinary District Implementation Cells
- Invest in capacity building for PMU staff, district coordinators, and RBK assistants
Essential Capabilities
- Deep knowledge of state agriculture systems, policies, and programs
- Hands-on familiarity with data systems: e-Cropping, Input Subsidy Portal, Agri Budget tracking
- Strong grounding in agronomic practices, cropping patterns, and agro-climatic zoning in Andhra Pradesh
- Ability to coordinate between department officials, PMU staff, and field functionaries
- Comfort with FPOs, PACS, input dealers; capability to support AI chat assistant adoption at RBKs
- Proven experience translating technical recommendations into simple farmer-facing guidance
- Telugu proficiency (essential); English for documentation and inter-department coordination
Desired Capabilities
- Prior exposure to digital agriculture platforms (AI-driven advisory systems, IoT soil sensors, satellite-based yield estimation)
- Understanding of value-chain development, FPO/FPC strengthening, and market linkages
- Competence in managing multi-stakeholder convergence projects with donors, private agri-tech players, or research institutions
- Comfort with data analytics tools (PowerBI, Tableau, custom GoAP dashboards)
- Thought leadership on climate-smart agriculture and tenant farmer inclusion
- Professional networks for policy buy-in, donor coordination, and cross-sector partnerships
Skills Required
- Technical/Domain: Crop agronomy, pest/disease management, input-output economics; agricultural data interpretation
- Digital: MIS platforms, GIS layers, dashboard tools (PowerBI, Tableau, GoAP dashboards)
- Project Management: Task prioritization, multi-scheme management, timely reporting
- Interpersonal: Facilitation and negotiation skills to mediate between farmers' concerns, departmental targets, and PMU priorities
- Analytical: Triangulate quantitative data (yield trends) with qualitative field inputs (farmer perceptions)
- Capacity Building: Training frontline extension officers on digital literacy and dashboard use
Additional Benefits
- Field travel allowances and communication expenses
- Professional development opportunities (exposure visits, certifications in agri-digital tools)
- Performance-linked incentives.
Other Information
- Cross-sectoral Role: While agriculture is primary focus, expected to contribute to integrated GVA tracking with livestock, horticulture, and fisheries sectors
- Capacity Building: Mentor junior analysts, data entry staff, and extension workers
- Confidentiality: Adhere to GoAP's data protection and governance frameworks
- Field Responsiveness: Flexibility to support emergencies (pest outbreaks, extreme weather events) requiring rapid advisory interventions
- Impact Orientation: Central to ensuring agriculture—the backbone of rural livelihoods—is effectively represented in PMU's decision-intelligence ecosystem
Additional Requirements
- This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.
- The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.
- Only candidates who have India work authorization will be considered.
Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
