Job Opportunity for Associate Program Manager, Youth Program at Quest Alliance in Panchkula

At Quest Alliance, we transform learning ecosystems through education technology, capacity building, and collaboration to build 21st-century skills for learners and facilitators

We are a not-for-profit trust that focuses on research-led innovation and advocacy in the field of teaching and learning. We engage with educators, civil society, government institutions and corporate organizations to demonstrate and enable scalable and replicable solutions in school education and vocational training

At Quest, you will get the opportunity to apply your skills and contribute to addressing issues around quality education and skills training. The organization gives you the space to learn and grow in a fun and engaging environment.  We have an eclectic group of people working at Quest drawn from diverse disciplines including Education, Technology, Design, Youth Development and Business. 

This is a unique role supporting the Youth Program for government partnership and network building. 

The role will lead the program in Haryana which includes  developing the work plan, managing the budget. Coordinating on all deliverables and reporting and anchoring program implementation.  They will manage youth team, partners,  district/ state  govt relationship and state level partnership. They will ensure implementation of systems & processes at the state office. They  will focus on liaising with the District/State level Authorities,  CSOs  and media. They will  lead the quarterly review processes and drive the regional advocacy plan.

Responsibilities

State Strategy for the Youth Program

• Anchor the state strategy going deeper with needs and aspirations of young people in the regional and planning the work in line with that
• Working with ecosystem, project, and thematic leads closely and leading the integration of the strategic thought process around ITI ecosystem in the state and ensuring its customized for the state / region
• Diversify partner base for ITIs in line with strategic engagement models that are evolving
• Ensuring the work in the state with  ITIs is in line with the larger strategic thought process of FRSN and it’s governance model
• Ensure the expenditure across projects allocated for the state, in line with commitments to the donor.
• Ensure that there is a healthy and ongoing exchange between state teams on key learning, insights and best practices.
• Ensure delivery on the SDIT commitments in line with MoU commitments.

Program Design and Project Management 

• Using a consultative approach, support in designing and developing the program in line with the organizational goals, national framework and donor requirement
• Support the program Lead in Developing the annual goals for Haryana and lead the development of the  annual operational plans
• Lead the development of systems to ensure high quality delivery of the program managed
• Lead, Guide, mentor and support team during program review and design processes
• Conduct field visits to review program progress, sharing feedback as required
• Support in  the conceptualisation in events conducted in the region / state

Grant Management 

• Ensure timely and accurate internal financial and narrative reporting to donor 
• Work in close coordination with the Grant management team for operational planning, review and donor reporting 
• Liaise with the finance, monitoring and evaluation teams and other teams engaged in the project to ensure timely development and submission of external reports 
• Support communications with donors and partners in collaboration with the B.D focal point.
• Ensure smooth coordination with all teams engaged in grant implementation for the project you are leading
• Oversee the work of other teams related to the grant managed
• Coordinating or organizing the donor visits
• Support B.D team  in writing  proposal
• Represent quest Alliance in Donor meetings and forums 

Efficient Delivery and Program Quality :

• Work closely with the Finance team to develop project related budgets and review the reports in a timely manner
• Call out the M&E requirements to the Impact team and ensure there are systems and process in place to track progress and ensure donor reporting expectations are met
• Ensure Budget Planning, Review and Management.
• Ensure data management and tracking of all the M&E processes and data with program team at state and district level in coordination with Research and Impact team
• Support in the development of the research focus for the state
• Work closely with the Communication focal point for print and social  media attention
• Ensure the spending is kept within limits and there are no deviations. Ensure the donor budgets are utilized for their purposes. 

Relationship Management

• Ensure state level engagement with Government and Civil Society organizations including Coordination, review process, ongoing continuous communication.
• Ensure district level engagement with SDIT  and Civil Society organizations including Coordination, review process, ongoing continuous communication
• Ensure Media engagement at state, zone & District level and contribute to the Social media presence of the Youth program.
• Leading and Facilitating the process to build relationships with stakeholders
• Be the focal point for the State, Zone & District Officials and keep them informed about the progress of work and plan along with them.
• Support the program lead  in coordination and Liasoning with the SDIT department at state, zone and  district level.
• Manage electronic and print media networks at state, zone and  district level
• Support and Ensure ongoing management of partnerships with the SDIT department and other like minded organizations as necessary for effective, coordinated delivery at state, zone & district level.
• Represent Quest Alliance in District and state forums and platforms on Skill development, and youth
• Be part of Sector facing Working Group and other relevant networks at state & district levels
• Ensure monthly and quarterly reporting of our activities to SDIT Departments and participation as required in meetings and events

Team Management

• Ensure that all employees managed  have clear performance objectives and development plans.
• Support team member/s with resources that help them build knowledge and confidence to do better.
• Share and ask for feedback regularly and practice open communication
• Provide Support to team members to understand the nuances of the Youth program, key Project activities and objectives and also build the organization level understanding and perspective.
• Support and build understanding on overall program design and implementation.
• Support to plan and conduct field activities and virtual sessions and integrate the youth team Curriculum. with CSO human resources, ITI Principals, Group Instructors, ES Facilitators, JAPOs and youth 
• Support the team to conduct the youth program projects mentioned activities with the stakeholders