Job Opportunity for Program Officer – Citizen Engagement (TUG) at Praja Foundation in Srinagar

Position

Program Officer – Citizen Engagement (TUG)

Experience

Up to 2 years (preferably from the social sector)

Reporting To

Program Manager – ER Engagement (TUG), Praja Foundation

Location

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Duration of Contract

Full-time for 12 -18 months.

May be extendable based on program/project requirements

About Praja

Founded in 1998, Praja is a non-partisan organization enabling accountability in governance. Praja empowers citizens to participate in governance by providing knowledge and perspective so that they can become politically active and involved beyond the ballot box. It undertakes extensive research and highlights civic issues to build the awareness of, and mobilize action by the government and elected representatives. 

Praja believes that uninformed and disengaged elected representatives and administration, rather than existing systems or policies, are responsible for the lack of good governance. Additionally, there is a paucity of tools to facilitate effective interaction between citizens and the local government. 

Praja conducts data driven research and provides information on civic issues to citizens, media, and government administration and works with elected representatives to identify and address inefficiencies in their work processes, bridge the information gaps, and aid them in taking corrective measures.

The Role

Coordinate and manage the Fellowship program with youths to enable them with the functioning of governance systems. Create modules and collaterals for the training of fellows and workshops. To identify the opportunities to coordinate and conduct workshops with youths and CSOs on the topics relating to Urban Governance etc., to enhance their knowledge and perspective further to hold the administration accountable.

Key Responsibilities

• Ideate, coordinate and manage the end-to-end fellowship program, which is flagship program for youths.
• Plan exposure visits for fellows and interns/volunteers and provide support to ensure active participation in governance matters through fellowship and awareness workshops.
• Create concept, processes and modules for workshops and training programs.
• Create and maintain communication between Councillors, municipal administration and Fellows and conduct active outreach in Srinagar.
• Take care of field based / knowledge-based issues of fellows and solve them through daily/ weekly/ monthly meetings.
• Prepare and submit detailed event and activity reports.
• Conduct research and collect data on various governance and service delivery issues.
• Maintain communication between Praja and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
• Establish a network of project partners to create a professional platform for further networking and partnership between CSOs, youths and government at all levels to initiate dialogue on governance matters.
• Identify, create and manage a pool of resource persons for workshops and training programs.
• Maintain appropriate communications on program activities with the staff and management.
• Willing to travel extensively within the city and outstation as required (70% time will be spent on the field; 30% within the office). 

Additional Skills

• Understand and have knowledge about governance of Municipal Corporation and UT of J&K
• Understanding of political, governance and democratic concepts and working of administration
• Comfortable with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
• Have a mix of strategic and tactical approach to work and planning
• Good computer skills: Microsoft Word/Excel/ PowerPoint and Internet/social media
• Good communication skills (written and oral) in English and Hindi
• Working knowledge of Kashmiri and/or Urdu is an added advantage
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of commitment to work under minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a team as well as personally
• Ability to work in a deadline driven and dynamic environment
• Flexible and adaptable
• Multi-tasker with attention to details

Other requirements

• Must possess his/her own vehicle.
• Must possess his/her own laptop/computer.

Educational Qualifications

• Graduate or Post graduate, preferably, in Public Administration/Social Work/Political Science/Management/Public Health/Criminology/Law. Even graduate/post-graduate in other subjects with an inclination towards development sector/public policy work will be considered 
• Previous work in the development sector or voluntary experience/exposure to the sector would be an added advantage.

The selected candidate will be based in Srinagar. Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels. Remuneration will be inclusive of all travel and other requirements. Please apply with your resume (please include current and expected salary) to hr@praja.org. For further information please log on to www.praja.org