VAIBHAV JAIN

Area of Expertise:

• Administration, HR, Management, Accounting/Finance
• Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural, Urban
• Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research
• Social, Gender, Education, Youth, Child

Professional Experience:

I am a qualified **MBA (Rural Management)** professional with nearly **18 years of experience** in the development sector, specializing in **Social Mobilisation, Financial Inclusion/Microfinance, and Livelihood Promotion**. My career has been dedicated to empowering marginalized communities, strengthening grassroots institutions, and contributing to sustainable development initiatives through large-scale projects supported by the **World Bank, DFID, UNDP, and ADB**.

Over the years, I have gained extensive expertise in **social mobilisation processes**, ensuring that communities actively participate in their own development. I have facilitated the formation and strengthening of **Common Interest Groups (CIGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations**. My efforts have focused on training and mobilizing these groups, enabling them to access microfinance, establish bank linkages, and benefit from various government schemes and entitlements. These initiatives have directly contributed to improved livelihoods and enhanced financial resilience at the grassroots level.

In the domain of **financial inclusion**, I have worked extensively on **SHG bank linkages, enterprise finance, digital finance, and social security schemes**. By promoting innovative approaches to financial literacy and access, I have supported the integration of marginalized communities into formal financial systems. This has not only strengthened their economic independence but also reduced their vulnerability to informal and exploitative lending practices.

A significant part of my professional journey has involved **training and capacity building**. I have designed and delivered training modules for staff, community cadres, and stakeholders, building their knowledge, skills, and confidence to drive sustainable change. My ability to mentor teams and build strong local leadership has ensured effective program delivery and long-term community ownership.

I also possess substantial experience in **loan administration and credit management**. I have managed processes such as loan appraisals, document verification, credit sanctioning, and monitoring, while implementing robust **risk control strategies**. Through careful planning and team mentoring, I have consistently achieved targets within budgetary parameters, ensuring the sustainability of credit and livelihood programs.

My work has also encompassed **surveys, impact assessments, monitoring, evaluation, and data analysis**, which have strengthened evidence-based decision-making in projects. Additionally, I have been actively involved in **policy formulation, proposal development, documentation of activities, and showcasing best practices** for wider replication and scaling. This has enabled the demonstration of successful models that can be adopted by other programs and stakeholders.

Beyond technical expertise, I bring strong **leadership, interpersonal, and organizational skills**. I am adept at creating and sustaining a positive work environment that fosters collaboration, motivation, and performance. My ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders—including government bodies, financial institutions, NGOs, and community groups—has been central to achieving impact at scale.

In summary, my professional experience reflects a balance of grassroots engagement, program management, and strategic planning. I combine **analytical ability, leadership, and team management** with a passion for social equity and inclusive growth. With proven expertise in social mobilisation, financial inclusion, and livelihood promotion, I remain committed to advancing development goals that empower communities and ensure sustainable outcomes.