Mr. C. Narayana Reddy

1.       Introduction about your job / career, define your career? 

Ans: I Mr. C. Narayana Reddy have completed Masters Degree in Social work in 1998 from Sri Krishna Devaraya University, Ananthapuramu.  After completion of my course I got a golden chance in working in United Nations Development Program (UNPD) – South Asian Poverty Alleviation Program as Community Coordinator at Kurnool district. In my 3 year tenure in UNDP I have promoted more than 300 Self Help Groups, 35 Village level federations and one Mandal samakyas as part of promotion of community based organizations of the poor with an aim of poverty eradication.   And also Innovated Micro Credit Plan to improve the livelihoods of the poor through SHGs and Federation.

            Later  I  worked  with APMAS (A reputed national level Capacity building organization of the SHG movement and community based inclusive interventions, through infusing qualitative, structural and sustained growth) as a Joint Director  based at Ananthapuramu.  Joined as Deputy District Manager and promoted as Joint Director i.e. from level 4 to Level 2 in the span of 5 years. The following are the main responsibilities of the job:

• Develop Partnerships with     Self help Promoting institutions (SHPIs) such as District Rural Development Agencies, IKP,  District Water Management Agencies, Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Area (MEPMA)
•  Support to SHPIs in strengthening of community Based organizations, Capacity building to staff and Institutions
• Managing multiple teams and fulfilling the reporting modalities of the organization
• Conduct Capacity Building  events on Book  keeping, Auditing, Financial Management, Participatory Training Methodologies (PTM) 

·         Implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Program as Project Implementing Agency

2.       Qualification required for this job?

Ans:

·         Master’s Degree in Social Work/ Social Science/ Rural Management/ Rural Development

·         Should be specialized in social mobilization, designing and conducting the Capacity building program and

·         Having more than 5 years of experience in development with special focus on strengthening of community based organizations.

3.       Personal qualities / skills required for this job?

Ans:

·         Good communication skills

·         Participatory training and facilitation skills

·         Effective Networking and Relationship building skills with different stakeholders  

·         Inter and intra personal communication skills and should be a good team player

·         Knowledge on Line departments and convergence

·         Willingness for field work and extensive travel

·         Team work, Leadership and conflict resolution skills

·         Good and quick learner 

4.       Best aspects of this job?

Ans:

ü  Working with community and women especially with poor and disadvantaged section

ü  Better package and other benefits

ü   Dynamic board, leadership

ü  Scope for learning and exposure both national and international

ü   Flexibility and scope for innovation.

ü  Feedback mechanism and more focus on individual growth

5.       Challenging aspects of this job?

Ans:

v  Working with Bureaucrats and convincing them as per vision and mission of the APMAS

v  Sensitizing the grass route level employees

v  Multiple responsibilities and targets of the assigned job

v  Managing multiple teams and dynamics

v   Managing partnerships with government departments

v  Government policies relating to the Self help movement

6.       Your achievements?

Ans:

§  Planning and Implementation of two Integrated Watershed Management Program – IWMP projects as PIA and positioned APMAS in Second place in the state and also received best performance awards from State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) and district administration.

§  Initiated & Streamlined APMAS Operations in 4 districts of AP and one district in Orissa i.e. Koraput

§  Coordinated and rendered services of APMAS to District officials and successfully delivered services as per 6 Memorandum of Understandings with District Rural Development Agencies, Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) and District Water Management Agency

§  Developed 13 training modules on Book keeping & Auditing, Financial Management, Financial literacy, Self Help Groups Federation concepts, Financial literacy, Mutually Aided Cooperative societies etc 

§  Developed district Capacity Building strategy for the strengthening of SHGs in Kadapa district

§  Facilitated in collaboration with DRDA- Kadapa in conducting 20 Batches of Animators training program on institutional aspects and Book keeping

§  Conducted 12 batches of Training of Trainers program on Participatory Training Methods for Government and NGO staff

§  Conducted 16 Batches  training program to Master Book keepers on SHG and Federation Book keeping

§  Organized 8 Training program to Agriculture department (Extension officers)  on Rythu Mithra Group concepts

§  Supported IKP in conducting training programs for CCs in different concepts  - 12 batches at Kadapa, West Godavari and Kurnool  

§  Conducted two district level workshops on GO- NGO collaboration 

§  Capacity Building needs assessment to Rural Development Trust (A reputed NGO) staff and conducted 4 Batches training programs to Community Organizers on  Participatory Training Methodologies  and on concept of Sasyamitra Group

UNDP/ SPAP & IKP

§  Promoted more than 300 Self Help Groups, 35 Village level federation and one Mandal samakya and Mahila Bank at Dhone of Kurnool district

§  Innovated Micro Credit Plan to improve the livelihoods of the poor through SHGs and Federation. Mobilized funds from Banks and other government agencies

7.       Your secret of success in your career?

Ans:

      Hard working

      Quick learning and able to grasp field realities quickly  

      Inter and intra communication skills

      Ability to work with diversified groups

      Training skills

      Presentation and documentation skills

8.       Give us some interesting accounts of your academic /education days?

Ans:

 I really enjoyed the both work and hospitality provided by the COROMANDEL FERTILIZERS LTD, VIZAG during the block field work placement.  The guidance provided by my beloved Prof. Muralidharudu and Munili Darshan were very helpful in brushing my career plan.

9.       How did you plan your career?

Ans:   I planned my career rightly with the guidance and support provided by my colleges especially CS REDDY, CEO – APMAS and my immediate supervisor Anjaneyulu. Ballem.  I have improved my communication skills especially writing skills in English and computer skills which are crucial for further career development.

10.    Describe your experience of your first day at work in your first job?

Ans:

My first appointment was with UNDP – SAPAP at Dhone mandal of Kurnool District as community Coordinator. I faced very difficult situation while I was interacting with Self Help groups due to the lack of knowledge on SHG movement and the members asked me to settle the malpractices done by the book keepers. Some what I was embarrassed and confused about what to do on that situation. As per my superior suggestion, I have stayed in another village for 15 days at a stretch to understand the process and functioning of SHGs with the help of local Community Volunteer. I used to observe the procedure what Community Volunteer is doing and able to grasp the things.  I used to follow my colleague to learn the work while on work.

11.    Your major achievements have been in …………….which opportunities steered you on that path?

Ans:

·         Facilitation skills for organizing  workshops on different themes at all levels

·         Training skills and able to conduct Training of Trainers (ToT)  for Primary and Secondary stake holders in the development sector

·         Accounting and Book keeping both designing & conducting training programs

·         Team work and team building

12.    Being a leader / social worker yourself what do you think you possess as a leader/social worker that sets you apart from other leaders?

Ans:

I have good understanding about the society and able to grasp things very quickly and also I am good at interpersonal and intra personal skills. 

13.    How as a leader / social worker, do you go about developing yourself today?

Ans:

§  As a social worker I would like to develop more understanding about the new trends in development, research and analytical skills.

§  I would like to acquire  some more professional knowledge especially on management side

§  Need to equip documentation and case study preparation skills

14.    What keeps you so passionate about working in social work?

Ans

·         Good recognition in the society

·         Job satisfaction and personal satisfaction on contribution to the society

·         Influencing the policy makers on pro poor initiates 

15.    What are your current ambitions for the next phase in your life /career?

Ans: I would like to shift from my present position to the teaching side and become Professor of Social Work and develop new trends in social work profession

16.    Your reading. How this does helps you in your personal and professional life?

Ans: Certainly reading and continuous learning is very vital for both professional and personal life. I have acquired new skills especially training skills through reading.   

Reading gives comprehensive knowledge about the concepts of social problems, profession and life.  I am confident to say that Reading is the secret of my success.

17.    What are your interest / hobbies?

Ans:

Ø  Reading news papers and magazines

Ø  Watching movies and Cricket

Ø  Travelling to new places

Ø  Develop social contacts, and

Ø  Working with the downtrodden people 

18.    A family bonding experience ……………….?

Ans:

I am very lucky to have a family, which understands my profession and providing reasonably good support in achieving my professional goals. But I could not able to spend much time with the family as my profession requires frequent travelling

19.    Tips for aspiring professional social workers?

Ans:

 The following are the tips for aspiring professional social workers.

v  Thorough understanding on development aspects and current trends

v  Grip on subject is mandatory

v  Maintain good relationship peers and others social work professionals in the field

v   Comprehensive understanding on poverty

v  Working knowledge of MS office

v  Excellent reading, writing and communication skills in English

v  Information analysis and management skills

v  Openness to feedback and ready to change behaviors as per feedback  

        

20.    Bitter experience in your career?

Ans: I could not able to reveal the bitter experience due to the organizational ethics

21.    How do you relate with other professions and professionals?

Ans:

Being a social work professional we need to establish good relations with other professional to equip new skills and to get required support for professional achievements

22.    What is your opinion about the need for social workers association?

Ans:

Yes, we require social work association for both experience sharing and improve the career path. The association should focus more on creating awareness about the profession and finding the suitable jobs for the professionals

23.    Not all social workers are documenting their experiences in their profession, can you please throw some light on it.

Ans:

Yes, many social workers are poor in documentation and are not able to share their experiences due to lack of communication skills. The social work association should focus on these aspects and provide space for ventilating their feelings and experiences.

24. What are the most challenging aspects of your job/career?

Ans:

v  Coping with new trends in development

v  Lack of HR policy and fringe benefits to social workers in many NGOs

v  Working with government officials and convincing them towards the pro poor policies

25. How do you balance career and other aspects of your life?

Ans:

Planning and using time optimally is the only answer for balancing the career and other aspects of life.

26. What advice do you have for someone contemplating a career in social work in a professional position similar to your current position?

Ans: 

The answer is already addressed in question no. 19

27. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?

Ans:

v  Better pay and perks

v  Flexibility

v  Good recognition

 Dr. Sreenivasa Reddy

Editorial member

Careers in Social work