Ramani Ranjan Nayak
Development Professional
Bhubaneswar
Summary
Development Professional with more than 11 years of extensive experience in project management, government liaison, and strategic planning. Proven track record in developing and monitoring livelihood promotion projects, creating business development plans, and establishing partnerships with key stakeholders. Adept at designing programme frameworks, managing large portfolios, and leading teams to achieve organizational goals. Skilled in proposal writing, stakeholder relationship management, and process improvement. Committed to enhancing sustainable livelihoods through innovative solutions and effective collaboration. Notable achievements include leading the Odisha Millets Mission (Shree Anna Abhiyan) and managing multi-crore portfolios.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
State PMU Lead
Indian School of Business
Bhubaneswar, India
02.2025 - Current
- Spearheaded multi-stakeholder program implementation aligned with ISB’s mission, involving government departments, SHGs, and private sector partners.
- Led coordination with Department of Mission Shakti, district administrations, and community-based institutions for aligned program execution.
- Directed planning and rollout of two flagship initiatives: Sulabhaa (women-led forest enterprises) and IoFE (policy and enterprise ecosystem for forest economy).
- Designed and monitored project timelines, KPIs, and operational milestones across multiple districts.
- Represented ISB in high-level government reviews, district/state consultations, and multi-agency partnerships.
- Led real-time data-driven monitoring using tools like PowerBI, ensuring evidence-based decision-making and adaptive course correction.
- Designed and delivered training modules for SHGs, and FPC leaders on enterprise development and forest governance.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Senior Consultant
Ernst and Young LLP
10.2023 - Current
- Developed projects proposals on livelihood promotion in the district and examined and curated proposals submitted by the Executive Agencies under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
- Created business development plans for projects focusing on sustainable livelihoods.
- Developed monitoring mechanisms for existing livelihoods programmes and projects (DMF) for better delivery at the grassroots level and Monitored the executive agencies to adapt strategies and maintain partnership.
- Created comprehensive PowerBI dashboard for tracking DMF projects across various sectors.
- Developed and sustained partnerships with key stakeholders such as line departments, civil society organizations etc. to facilitate collaborative projects.
- Consultation on best practices in livelihood promotion, partner engagement and relationship building for client.
- Liaised between line departments and internal teams to ensure alignment of objectives and better outcomes in the livelihood sector.
- Coordinated communication strategies across various platforms to enhance organizational visibility and reputation and managed social media accounts of the District Administration, creating engaging content of the major day today events for greater interaction of the district administration.
Project Specialist
Indian School of Business (ISB)
04.2023 - 10.2023
- Liaising with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment, Odisha in bringing out a comprehensive report on Odisha Millets Mission
- Designing a framework to establish State Project Management Unit at the Department for Enabling Nutrition-Agriculture through Technical Supports (ENACTS)
- Coordination with different Departments at the state level to establish Climate Resilient Cell
Regional Coordinator (Interim State Coordinator)
WASSAN
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Team Lead State PMU of Odisha Millets Mission, Programme Secretariat
- Liaison with line department at the state level
- Design the program framework, Prepare program guideline, Training Modules, Process manual for the program
- Promote millets-based microenterprises through Women SHGs and individual entrepreneurs for livelihood generation
- Lead promotion of millets consumption component in the state under Odisha Millets Mission
- Organise and manage promotional events on millets consumption
Senior Program Officer
WASSAN
06.2021 - 04.2022
- Lead FOLU-India-RRA Network at the national level and coordinate with different stakeholders such as; WRI, CEEW, TERI and landscape partners in AP, Telangana, and Maharashtra
- Liaising with state Agriculture and other concerned line departments for technical supports in designing the FOLU implementation plan
- Planning, monitoring, and implementation of the FOLU research studies in the 3 landscapes
- Driving the RRAN agenda to other states: Drafting proposal for Jharkhand Millets Mission and Maharashtra Millets Mission
Senior Program Officer
WASSAN
06.2019 - 07.2021
- Design Programme framework for revival of finger millets in collaboration with Tribal Development Department, Nashik, Maharashtra
- Support in managing and executing a portfolio of Rs 3 crores annually
- Design MIS and develop a framework for programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Documentation of the programme
- Liaising with Maharashtra State Department for fund flow for the Programme
- Initiate partnership with research institute for impact study and advocacy
Regional Coordinator
WASSAN
07.2017 - 07.2019
- Design Programme framework, and support in the preparation of Programme Guidelines, Training Module and Process Manual for Odisha Millet Mission
- Preparation of the Annual Action Plan and ensuring its implementation at the field level
- Review and monitor 28 NGOs; Facilitating Agencies (FAs) & Implementing agencies (CBOs) in 29 blocks of 7 districts in Odisha and Managing 10 team members across the Programme districts
- Support in Designing, Managing and executing a portfolio of Rs 12 crores annually
- Liaison with State and District Departments in for fund flow for the Programme in 7 districts
Program Manager
WASSAN
08.2016 - 07.2017
- Design Project Proposals and leverage funds from the district line department and other funding agencies
- Implement, Review and Monitor two livelihood programmes: RRA Network and APPI Livelihood Programme in Malkangiri
- Manage and execute a portfolio of Rs 4 crores annually in the project
- Preparation of Annual Plan document and Report on RRA Comprehensive Pilot Project
- Liaison with District Administration for smooth and effective delivery of the Programme
- Develop a Business plan and training modules for the RRA Comprehensive Pilot Project
- Organize and manage events, workshops and trainings on different thematic of RRA Network
Program Officer
WASSAN
07.2013 - 07.2016
- Plan, Implement, and Monitor Fishery activities of the RRA Comprehensive Pilot Project
- Liaison with Fishery Departments for fund mobilization and technical support services related to fishery activities etc
- Coordinate with Thematic Node Expertise (Anchors) for updating on fishery activities and technical support
- Prepare Half Yearly and Annual Reports on Fishery Activities of RRA Comprehensive Pilot Project
- Develop fishery entrepreneurship plan and documents of the RRA Comprehensive Pilot Project
- Organizing field-level training and exposure of farmers on fishery production system
Education
M.A - Social Entrepreneurship
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mumbai, MumbaiB.A - Sociology
BJB Autonomous College (Utkal University)
Bhubaneshwar, BhubaneshwarSkills
Project Management
Government Liaison
Strategic Planning
Team Management
Stakeholder relationship management
Strong leadership skills
Business development
Lean six sigma
Accomplishments
- ODISHA MILLETS MISSION (Shree Anna Abhiyan): Part of the drafting team for Odisha Millets Mission and contributed to shaping the program and its expansion in the state, a flagship programme of Odisha government.
- INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM: Successfully demonstrated RRAN pilots in Malkangiri that led to formation of Integrated Farming: A govt led program in Odisha
Hobbies and interests
- Gym, Badminton, Jogging, trekking
- Music and photography
Languages
Odia, English, Hindi
Timeline
State PMU Lead
Indian School of Business
02.2025 - Current
Senior Consultant
Ernst and Young LLP
10.2023 - Current
Project Specialist
Indian School of Business (ISB)
04.2023 - 10.2023
Regional Coordinator (Interim State Coordinator)
WASSAN
03.2022 - 03.2023
Senior Program Officer
WASSAN
06.2021 - 04.2022
Senior Program Officer
WASSAN
06.2019 - 07.2021
Regional Coordinator
WASSAN
07.2017 - 07.2019
Program Manager
WASSAN
08.2016 - 07.2017
Program Officer
WASSAN
07.2013 - 07.2016
M.A - Social Entrepreneurship
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
B.A - Sociology
BJB Autonomous College (Utkal University)