Job Opportunity for Program Manager at Quest Alliance in Patna

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.

Role Description

Lead the programme implementation in Bihar which includes work plan, timeline +budget ; Coordinate with the GMU on all deliverables and reporting; Anchor programme implementation in Bihar; Manage the field team, partners and district govt relationship; Develop State level partnership; Ensure implementation of systems & processes at the state office Their work will focus on liaising with the District/State level authorities,  CSOs  and media and They will  lead the quarterly review processes.They will drive the Regional advocacy plan. 

Implementing the State, District, Block and School activities as per program and project  Guideline

• Ensure state level liasioning and continuous follow up with various bodies including formation and review with SRG, Quarterly Planning and Review with SSA, SCERT, BEPC and Education Department and sharing monthly report.
• Ensure all program related activities with program officers/associates are being implemented from District, Block and School levels, including Virtual and Physical Training Sessions, Shiksha Ratan Puraskar, Follow up plan, Model Schools, STEM clubs, Bal Sanad, Morning Assembly, Enrichment, Career Sessions, Hackathon, Coding,  Muhim etc. 
• Ensure contribution in review process, annual work plan, annual budget and program design
• District level approvals and their active engagement for all activities as per plan
• Working closely with the Content and Capacity Building team to provide support in developing content as per requirement of the Program.
• Piloting and demonstrating with the team in respective schools and Blocks.
• Make joint visits with PO’s/PAs
• Anchor School Recognition program

Program  Design, 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 Programme Lead in Developing the annual goals for Bihar 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 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

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 FAIT 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 programme 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 the limits and there are no deviations. Ensure the donor budgets are utilized for their purposes. 

Stakeholders Management

• Ensure state level engagement with Government and Civil Society organizations including Coordination, review process, ongoing continuous communication such as BEPC, SCERT and Education Department.
• Ensure district level engagement with Government and Civil Society organizations including Coordination, review process, ongoing continuous communication
• Ensure Media engagement at District level and contribute to the Social media presence of the School program.
• Leading and Facilitating the process to build relationships with stakeholders
• Be the focal point for the District Officials and keep them informed about the progress of work and plan along with them.
• Support the Programme lead  in coordination and Liasoning with the Education department at district level.
• Manage electronic and print media networks at district level
• Support and Ensure ongoing management of partnerships with the Education department and other like minded organizations as necessary for effective, coordinated delivery at district level.
• Represent Quest Alliance in District and state forums and platforms on education and adolescents
• Be part of Sector facing Working Group and other relevant networks at district levels
• Ensure monthly and quarterly reporting of our activities to Education 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 School 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 school team Curriculum. with Teachers, Head masters and childrens
• support the PO’s/PAs to conduct the below mentioned activities with the Block Officials, Teachers and HMs.