Business Officer – Bihar (Resident Field Position)
Organization: Solar Village Social Service Project Foundation (SVSSPF) Reports to: Regional Operations Manager – North India Duty Station: Bihar state (extensive travel to multiple rural districts for CSR work in solar) Base Location (Preferred): Sasaram/Arah (western Bihar) Employment Type: Full-time (Remote Reporting) About SVSSPF Solar Village Social Service Project Foundation (SVSSPF) is a registered Section 8 non-profit dedicated to "ending energy poverty in India’s most underserved rural communities." In partnership with the U.S.-based Solar Village Project (www.solarvillageproject.org), we empower schools, clinics, water systems, and entire villages with clean solar energy. To date, SVSSPF has: Installed 100+ solar arrays at rural facilities Distributed 6,000+ solar lights Offset more than 230 tonnes of CO₂ annually Our work follows a proven cycle—community survey, planning, procurement, installation, commissioning, hand-over, and impact evaluation—to ensure every system delivers measurable benefits. Role Summary The Business Officer will be SVSSPF’s primary on-the-ground presence in Bihar. This role involves approximately 80-90% fieldwork, focusing on: Identifying new project sites (schools, clinics, and villages) through research. Conducting detailed feasibility and baseline surveys. Preparing high-quality reports. Securing local permissions to ensure smooth installation and impact assessment processes. Key Responsibilities 1. Site Identification & Feasibility: Utilize SVSSPF criteria to shortlist high-impact schools, health centers, and villages across Bihar. Collect secondary data, including electricity availability, poverty index, and development indicators. 2. Community & Facility Surveys: Design and administer household, school, and clinic questionnaires (digital or paper-based). Capture GPS coordinates, photographs, and load details; validate data integrity on-site. 3. Reporting & Analysis: Compile survey findings into concise, data-driven reports (using Word, Excel, GIS/Google Earth). Recommend project sizing (kW), estimate expected social impact, and calculate CO₂ offsets. 4. Local Liaison & Permissions: Build and maintain strong relationships with Panchayats, District Education/Health Departments, DISCOMs, and landowners. Secure written No Objection Certificates (NOCs), Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), and any statutory clearances required for solar installations. 5. Project Execution Support: Coordinate logistics for material delivery, installation supervision, and commissioning visits. Facilitate community meetings, hand-over ceremonies, and media coverage. 6. Post-Installation Follow-up: Conduct impact-evaluation surveys at 6- and 12-month intervals post-installation. Identify and flag Operations & Maintenance (O&M) issues, escalating them to technical teams as needed. Qualifications & Experience Education: Bachelor’s degree in Rural Management, Social Work, Renewable Energy, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Experience: Minimum 2+ years of field-based work in rural development, CSR, or the SOLAR energy sector (mandatory). Exceptional candidates with 1–2 years of experience and a strong community engagement record may be considered. Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in MS Office & Google Workspace. Experience with digital data-collection platforms. Basic understanding of load calculation & solar terminology. Language Skills: Fluent in Hindi and English. Working knowledge of at least one Bihari dialect (e.g., Maithili, Magahi, Bhojpuri) is preferred. Mobility: Must own a two-wheeler and possess a valid driving license; willingness to travel extensively throughout Bihar. Core Competencies Strong community engagement and facilitation skills. Excellent analytical thinking and report writing abilities. Proven negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities. Self-motivated with the ability to work with minimal supervision. Cultural sensitivity, with an awareness of gender and social inclusion issues. Remuneration & Benefits Salary (CTC): Up to INR 3.0 LPA (commensurate with experience). Quarterly Incentive: Up to Rs. 20,000 per quarter (based on KPI performance). Travel Reimbursement: Field travel expenses reimbursed as per organizational rates. Insurance: Accidental/medical insurance provided after the probation period. Professional Development: Opportunities for capacity-building workshops with SVSSPF & Solar Village Project. To Apply: Send your CV and cover letter to contact@solarvillageproject.org be sure to include Business Officer – Bihar position in your subject line. Show more Show less