General description

Despite India’s rapid economic growth, there are still substantial development challenges in the poorer parts of India. DFID India is responsible for a programme of development cooperation with Indian partners worth £280 million per year. Focused mainly on the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and West Bengal, the programme includes work in health, education, governance, infrastructure, rural livelihoods, and urban development.  In all these areas, we focus particularly on women and girls. A new programme of work to support private sector development to deliver jobs, products, infrastructure and basic services is being designed. There is an innovative cross-departmental unit on climate change housed within DFID.

DFID India works in partnership with government, international organisations, and civil society. The 90 staff based in our New Delhi office (co-location with the British High Commission is planned for 2012) work with the Government of India on nationwide programmes, and with governments in a number of states with particular poverty needs. The State Offices provide support and local knowledge.
DFID is committed to increasing its expertise in private sector development.

“It is my intention to recast DFID as a government department that understands the private sector, that has at its disposal the right tools to deliver and that is equipped to support a vibrant, resilient and growing business sector in the poorest countries.” Secretary of State, LSE, October 2010.

The private sector plays a key role in providing jobs, services and generating tax revenues in an economy. An enabling environment for business, including the availability of infrastructure and capital, are key requirements for private sector development. India ranked 133 out of 183 countries in the World Bank’s 2010 Doing Business Survey. Infrastructure, inefficient bureaucracy and access to capital feature amongst the top five issues faced by businesses.  Within India, there are wide disparities, with the poorest states attracting only one-fifth of domestic and 2.4% of foreign private investments, even though these states are home to over half the population.

In India, DFID is beginning a major new programme of work to promote the private sector development for inclusive growth in the poorest regions. Working with Indian partners, we will focus on: developing key sectors that help poor men and women and/or help them take advantage of new economic opportunities; investing in projects that are commercially viable and that will deliver jobs, basic services or infrastructure in the poorest states and would not otherwise have gone ahead; and supporting partner governments to attract and manage effectively private investment in agreed priority sectors.
 
Globally, DFID’s approach to private sector development is structured around the following themes:

1. Policies, laws and regulations needed to enable private sector led growth;
2. Fair and efficient administration of private sector regulation and legislation;
3. The most effective ways to facilitate pro-poor responses by the private sector, in particular through generating increased pro-development investment and job creation.

As one of three PSD Advisers you will play a critical role in helping DFID India deliver its private sector programme and influence policy for enabling private investments in the poorest regions of India.  You will provide thought leadership for DFID India on private equity and venture capital finance. You will have responsibility for leading a range of strategic PSD tasks with national and state level programme partners.  You will lead specific private sector projects, and provide high quality inputs to other programmes.

DFID India has a reputation for corporate excellence.  A high value is placed on good financial management, efficient systems, and clear communication.