Job Opportunity for (Sr.) Project Associate, CM Rise Schools at Peepul in Sagar

Nature of employment: Full-time
Reporting to: (Sr.) Project Manager
Location: Sagar, Madhya Pradesh

About Peepul

Peepul is an education-focused non-profit organisation committed to transforming India’s education system and enabling every child to reach their full potential. We work closely with national, state, and local governments to transform government schools and government systems. Currently, we work with governments in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh to meaningfully have an impact across ~325,000 teachers and 9.75 million+ students across 100,000+ schools.

At Peepul, we collaborate with school systems to build the capacity of leaders, teachers, and institutions. We advocate for policy improvements, support mentoring and monitoring, and enhance student-teacher engagement in classrooms. Our work has been recognised internationally, including receiving the Commonwealth Education Awards for Innovation and being featured in reports by respected organisations like the UN and the National Ministry of Education, India, and we are well-funded by both Indian CSR and prominent international Foundations working toward a common purpose of excellent education for the most disadvantaged sections of society.

Driven by our core values of impact, excellence, and leadership, we are a restless, resilient, and reflective organisations. Our team of 160 employees is passionate about creating lasting change and is rewarded competitively for their dedication. Join us in our mission to create a world where every child has equal access to high-quality education. Learn more about our transformative work at http://peepulindia.org.

Programme Overview

Peepul has been partnering with the School Education Department, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, for multiple years now. Working closely with the state bureaucratic leadership, Peepul has played a meaningful role in strengthening the education system of the state. The partnership has been a successful one – with national and international recognition of the work. One of the flagship programmes of the state we are co-leading is the CM RISE Schools programme. This breakthrough programme looks to build ~10,000 ‘world-class’ public schools in the state, that enable excellence. In the first phase, there are 300 K-12 schools selected. Peepul is co-leading the Academic Support and Monitoring Unit.

About the role

The Project Associate at Peepul is purpose-driven, understanding the organization’s values and the significance of their work. They embrace diverse perspectives, take ownership of deliverables, and work efficiently with minimal guidance. Their entrepreneurial mindset drives them to seek greater responsibility and contribute to organization-building activities.

They possess extensive knowledge of the Indian education system, actively shaping best practices and maintaining clear communication. As supportive team players, they foster a positive team climate through active listening and self-motivation. The Project Associate’s competence, dedication, and initiative make them a valuable asset to Peepul’s mission. The (Sr.) Project Associate plays a critical role in Peepul’s partnership with the Government of Madhya Pradesh to achieve quality education for all and improve the public school system in India. As an excellent team player, the (Sr.) Project Associate will independently lead and drive the design and delivery of interventions to support and hold teachers and
academic officials accountable.

Responsibilities would include (including but not limited to):

• To support project design and delivery:

o Collaborate with senior government stakeholders and Peepul’s leadership for project design, development, and implementation.

o Build consensus among all stakeholders regarding the program’s vision and objectives.

o Define success metrics and communicate them effectively.

o Work with the M&E team and external experts to develop appropriate project evaluation tools, including academic assessment.

• To ensure best-in-class project implementation:

o Own and drive project implementation at scale, coordinating with Peepul’s education and training team and consulting with Project Manager(s) and Programme Manager(s).

o Utilise learnings from Peepul’s other programs to improve implementation.

o Create effective work-planning and management systems for prioritisation and progress tracking.

o Develop systems to effectively use data for high-quality implementation and identify areas for improvement.

• To be a strong team collaborator and engage with key government stakeholders:

o Work effectively in a matrixed environment with education specialists, subject matter experts, and field staff.

o Cultivate strong operational relationships with government partners, providing leadership and mechanisms for collaboration.

o Design and build effective partnerships with external expertise, as needed.

o Build capacity within government teams for ongoing organisational selfimprovement beyond the project’s end.

Qualifications and Role Requirements:

At Peepul, we seek talented professionals passionate about driving educational transformation and making a positive impact. We are looking for individuals who possess the following qualifications and meet the role requirements:

• Educational Background: A relevant educational background in Education, Public Policy, Development Studies, or a related field.

• Work Experience: We value both professional and personal experience. Candidates with 2-4 years of experience in project management and implementation, preferably in education or development projects. Preference will be given to candidates who also have direct classroom and teaching experience, ideally within the government school system.

• Other Skills: Strong ability to collaborate and build partnerships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including senior political figures, with excellent communication skills for diverse audiences.

• Language Proficiency: English and Hindi

How to apply

You will be required to upload:

• Your CV: Please ensure that your CV provides relevant information about your professional and personal experience and details of your academic qualifications. CVs can be one to two pages in length.

• A cover letter: We highly encourage you to use your cover letter to showcase your specific interest in working for Peepul and demonstrate how your qualifications align with the role you are applying for. A tailored cover letter holds significant importance in Peepul’s recruitment process as it enables us to comprehend your motivations for the position, your relevant skills, and the clarity of your writing.

For any further queries related to our hiring process and timelines, please contact us at recruitment@peepulindia.org.
The last date for the submission of the application is November 2023.