Current openings
Before you apply, please read the job description for the role you wish to apply for.
We look forward to meeting you!
Remote • Head Office • Full-time
Oorja is currently looking for a Business Development Manager to engage with businesses, institutions and individual farmer entrepreneurs as clients. If you are an entrepreneurial professional with a high level of drive, a friendly consultative approach and a successful sales track record, this role is for you. You will craft the B2B business strategy, identify and approach clients, negotiate terms and enter into contracts with them to launch Oorja’s B2B services in India. You must have immaculate written and spoken skills in English and Hindi, strong negotiation skills and a track record of having worked with B2B clients. You should also be comfortable working in a mission-driven start-up environment and be able to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation.
Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh • Field Office • Full-time
As a Project Assistant, you will be travelling regularly among Oorja’s prospective andexisting rural sites and interacting with farmers on a daily basis. This is a 100% field role and candidates with an agricultural or rural background originating from Uttar Pradesh or Bihar will be preferred. You will focus on finding new sites for expanding our solar-powered irrigation, milling and cooling services. Your responsibilities be to conduct surveys, mobilise farmers, collect membership fees, negotiate land lease agreements, and assist with other aspects of business development and project implementation. You should own a motorcycle or scooty and have a valid driver’s license. You will be joining a dynamic and international team working together to make a difference to farmers’ income and well-being. Your initial base location will be Bahraich district. You may be assigned a new base location in eastern Uttar Pradesh or western Bihar.
Recruitment process
Oorja conducts a 3-stage evaluation process: a first interview is held by phone (30-45 min), followed by a longer interview (1.5-2.5 h) ahead of which we will ask you to prepare an assignment. The third round will consist of a call or meeting (30 min) with our external advisors.
We will assess your skillsets, working style, long-term motivations and alignment of your learning objectives with the company's growth, and fit within our organisational culture.
If you successfully clear all 3 stages, the company may make you an offer of employment, with an initial 2-3 month probation period. We will ask you for a minimum of two professional references.
Oorja endeavours to notify all applicants, whether successful or not, of the outcome of their application.
What it's like to work at Oorja
"Working with Oorja felt like working with a team that believes in new ideas thoroughly. From the interview process to working on my graduation project, it was a holistic experience for me. Oorja supported me every step of the way and made sure I had access to the right resources. I feel really fortunate to work in an environment where my skills were used for our society's social benefit and thus I learned so much about the real need for design and innovation in India's agriculture sector."
— Ashlesha Hadkar, Product Design Intern, Spring 2021 (Bombay)
"As operations engineer, I provide customers with efficient energy services that they need for their day to day work, with the help of Oorja. I joined the company in 2017, and my job working in rural areas is awesome. I have gotten to know rural society very closely, and have witnessed upliftment of the whole community. I highly recommend joining Oorja: you will find working for advancement of rural communities benefits not only them, but also you as an individual as you grow with each new level of impact you help create."
— Pushpendra Kumar, Operations Engineer (Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh)
My job at Oorja spans across the project development cycle. Before a new project, I organise focus group meetings with farmers and inform them of the benefits of our services. I also onboard them and act as their sole point of contact. Joining Oorja as a fresher, it's been a great journey. I work with a team which is very supportive and there is good coordination within the team. As I also belong to a rural community, I like to do my bit in improving the overall well-being of farmers. I have learned a lot of skills and interacted with different people which has improved my communication and technical skills!
— Chandan Chowdhary, Field Assistant (Muzaffarpur, Bihar)
Working with Oorja has enhanced my knowledge about rural communities in parts of northern Uttar Pradesh and eastern Bihar. In my work, I interact with farmers and all sorts of people on a daily basis. I got to know the basic needs of people living below the poverty line. India became independent in 1947, but at the ground level you can see that many have been left behind in development terms. Oorja has stepped in to fill this gap to benefit the communities and uplift their quality of life. I am happy to work with Oorja and am proud of our vision: development of farmers and rural communities through farming services.
— Shraddha Gupta, Project Assistant (Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh)
"Working with Oorja was a great learning experience. I was part of a research project that will provide farmers access to crop and input advisory. This will ensure the upliftment of rural communities and given them access to credible information. I am grateful for the continuous feedback and guidance which helped me to grow professionally. Also, it gave me immense pleasure to work with my fellow team members. Oorja strongly stands on its core values and I will recommend being part of a team where you can truly create an impact on a rural community."
— Shruti Naik, Research Intern, Summer 2021 (Bhubaneswar)
"During my internship with Oorja, I was responsible for producing a development plan for remotely monitoring all the solar assets that Oorja is operating. As a chemical engineer, I had always worked in the confines of four walls in front of a computer. Visiting the operational sites helped me come out of my comfort zone and understand the challenges on the ground. The team constantly motivated me to strive for improvements and their constructive criticism was immensely useful. With their support I was able to conceptualise and develop a prototype data platform which helped Oorja secure a prize of $10,000."
— Tanuj Karia, Innovation Intern, Summer 2019 (Kolkata)
“It’s been an exciting year for me at Oorja. I’ve really had the chance to grow professionally and contribute to various segments of Oorja’s operations: from leading techno-commercial feasibility studies and ground partner relations, to helping with project implementation and communicating our impact. I have had many opportunities to represent Oorja, from selecting new project sites in rural Assam and Bihar, to pitching to 15,000 people in Las Vegas, USA. There’s always something new and exciting waiting to unfold!”
— Lanvin Concessao, former Project Analyst (New Delhi)
"Working at Oorja for my post-MBA internship was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Working closely with the two co-founders, Amit and Clementine, I spent half of my summer in Uttar Pradesh to witness Oorja's first off-grid solar system launch, and the other half in Paris working on fundraising materials. The team are truly experts in their field and are very friendly, which constantly brought a positive energy to the work environment."
— Sumiko Taku, Finance Intern, Summer 2017 (Uttar Pradesh/Paris)
