Job Opportunity for Lead, Training and Research at Leadership for Equity in Pune

About Leadership For Equity (LFE)

Leadership For Skilled Education Foundation (branded as Leadership For Equity, LFE), is a non-profit (NGO) based out of Pune, Maharashtra. 

We envision Public Education Systems That Refuse To Let Children Down

APPROACH: In our two-fold approach to change, we build the capacity of government system leaders and we influence system processes. In partnership with the local and state education bodies, we co-create programs that shift teaching-learning practices and improve student learning and well-being. This work coupled with our research and advisory support to influence policies, we hope to create an effective government education system.

Over the last 5 years, LFE has built the capacity of 2100+ system leaders, and 40,200+ teachers to impact 8 million students across Maharashtra. Additionally, LFE has recently expanded its operations and started working in another 3 states of India including Haryana, Tripura & Andhra Pradesh. In Maharashtra, LFE works with 5 districts (Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Satara & Akola), 3 municipal bodies (Pune MC, Pimpri Chinchwad MC & Nagpur MC) & 5 state level education bodies (School Education Dept, SCERT, Samagra Shiksha, Tribal Development Dept, & TRTI). In Andhra Pradesh, LFE works closely with the Samagra Shiksha Office, SCERT & The World Bank on a multi-year strategic project to improve the quality of learning across 26 districts of the State. And lastly in Haryana & Tripura, LFE works with SCERTs of both states in setting up targeted program management units (PMUs) to strengthen delivery of large-scale academic programs. 

BELIEF: We believe Public Education Systems are the gatekeepers of social EQUITY, especially when India’s 120 million poorest-of-the-poor children continue to go to government-run schools. A multi-layered, complex, and systemic problem of educational inequity, will require a solution rooted in the SYSTEMS CHANGE approach. We believe that a COLLECTIVE effort by forging partnerships with governments, like-minded philanthropists, corporates, donors, nonprofits and grassroot organisations will help bring scalable and sustainable social change.

Job Description and Responsibilities

The Lead, Training and Research will work with the Chief Programs Officer to ensure Training and Research vertical goals are achieved. Additionally, they will collaborate with the members across teams as and when required as well as be an integral part of the organizational leadership and drive learning across teams.

Training Design and Operations (40%)

• Create the strategic plan to strengthen LFE’s Content and Training team for the next 5 years
• Design and implement processes for the content and training team to function successfully across geographies of LFE operations.
• Advise on and oversee design of training materials, handbooks, teacher proficiency metrics,  and other auxiliary training related aspects
• Work with different stakeholders across the different LFE locations to ensure scaling of the program. Work closely with other program leads to help scale content team’s work
• Advise on and oversee design of project plans, and monitoring mechanisms and guidelines to enable smooth implementation
• Visit training sites, classrooms, and other offices across multiple states to oversee implementation and use the observation data to tweak subsequent plans
• Coordinate with other teams and operations counterparts to ensure smooth implementation
• Compile training completion and impact reports in digital and print formats that are widely consumable 

Research Strategy and Design (30%) 

• Create the strategic plan to develop and strengthen LFE’s Research team in the next 3 years.
• Design and implement processes for the research team to function successfully by selecting right research themes and dissemination pathways
• Advise on and oversee design of research studies including writing grant proposals, data collection methods and analysis, and other auxiliary aspects
• Coordinate with other teams and operations counterparts to ensure smooth implementation
• Create dissemination plan as per each research project such that the reports are widely consumable

Team Management (20%)

• Manage a team of 2-4 Managers and 4-8 Associates, across research, content and training functions, focusing on their deliverables and professional support and development
• Design and lead team structures to sustain a culture of collaboration, belief in public systems and strong accountability and timely project delivery 
• Assist the organization in recruitment and selection of right team members

Stakeholder Management (10%)

• Work with the senior leadership team of the organization to identify and secure necessary funding sources for both Training and Research verticals
• Consistently engage the existing funders with the organization’s work that will enable a continued partnership.
• Submit timely donor reports to keep the funders informed and updated at regular intervals.
• Find relevant partnerships to support work done by the organization and foster collaboration in the sector

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Degree in education/teacher development or related discipline. MPhil/PhD preferred,  Masters’ degree mandatory
• 6-9 Years of experience leading large scale training programs, preferably with the government or with government school teachers
• Should have led at least 1-2 projects in the government education sector, at the State/district level
• Proven experience in Primary research, project management and training content creation
• Experience working in more than 1 state would be preferable

Important: Given the nature of the project please apply only if you qualify based on above requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• In Depth knowledge of research methods and life-cycle of primary research projects
• Being able to take initiative and work in an autonomous, semi-structured environment
• Belief in the potential of the public sector and that government systems can and will change towards overcoming systemic inequities and ensuring improved outcomes for all citizens 
• Working experience or knowledge of public policy implementation would be highly preferred 
• A basic understanding of social equity, development discourse and education policy in India
• Adaptability to changing responsibilities and resourcefulness to respond to them
• High openness to learning
• Ability to influence people, taking initiatives, build and sustain relationships with multiple stakeholders & partners across public and private spaces
• Strong ability to create outstanding presentations, work with Microsoft Excel & Google Suite
• Patience and resilience to stick it out in the face of setbacks and uncertainties

Location and Compensation

Location: Pune, Maharashtra. Frequent travel to Andhra Pradesh

Compensation: Range of salary: 12 to 14 LPA based on the previous experience

Leadership For Equity is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind. We do not discriminate on the basis of caste, race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor