Job Opportunity for Project Manager – State Capacities at Janaagraha in Bhubaneshwar

About Janaagraha

Janaagraha is a non-profit trust, established in 2001, working towards the mission of transforming quality of life in India’s cities and towns. It works with citizens to catalyse active citizenship in city neighbourhoods and with governments to institute reforms to city governance (what we call “City-Systems”). Janaagraha is part of the JANA Group – one of India’s best-known groups of not-for-profit institutions working towards the mission of fixing India’s cities. Swati Ramanathan and Ramesh Ramanathan co-founded Jana Group in 2001 and it presently works across citizen participation and city governance reforms (through Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy), city planning and design (through Jana Urban Space Foundation), municipal consulting services (through Jana Urban Services for Transformation Pvt. Ltd.), banking and financial services for the urban poor (through Jana Small Finance Bank) and affordable housing for the urban poor (through Janaadhar).

We are urgently looking for two highly passionate individuals to work closely with the CEO – Odisha (State Program Head) in key roles that balance active project management, urban planning / development needs, urban governance research, thought leadership and related collateral creation.

Janaagraha has partnered with the Housing & Urban Development Department of Govt. of Odisha to undertake deep reforms across the State. The proposed program aims to strengthen State Capacities by focusing on Public Finance Management, Organizational Development (Process & People), and Participatory Governance. Janaagraha believes that a select range of reforms across these areas has the potential to bring about irreversible positive change in delivery of municipal services in Odisha, which can be replicated and scaled across India.

What will the Project Manager – State Capacities really do?

As there are two open positions, the Project Manager will either

1. Support CEO-Odisha in overall project management, inter alia:

a. Develop, maintain period review and reporting for team internal progress, JCCD / Institutional, Government and Donors as per commitments to each of them, in detailed templates ensuring action items are recorded and communicated effectively

b. Create and manage detailed project plans for a wide range of projects across the existing streams or anew that emerge with government, interfacing with multiple stakeholders as necessary

2. Support CEO-Odisha in ancillary works related to main project, inter alia:

a. Assist in developing thought leadership presentations and papers as and when needed (for conferences, seminars and advocacy platforms/opportunities)

b. Help the project lead identify and realise opportunities for partnerships and fund-raising

c. Coordinate for team building, communication activities, other events and related logistics

– Along with the above, the incumbents will also together build and manage the project’s knowledge database – cataloguing and keeping updated all data, research products, relationship and contact database and other collaterals developed over the course of implementing the project, towards the objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

– Master’s degree or equivalent in business administration, economics, public administration, public policy or other directly relevant fields;

– Overall 10+ years’ experience, with minimum 3 years of experience respectively in project management roles of large development projects or with research in urban policy & governance

– Experience in social venture consulting or business consulting or not-for-profit organizations; Work with Government / Urban Development sector is preferred for both but not necessary

– PMP or related certification and familiarity with tools (MSP, etc.) will be preferred, while expertise with MS-Excel and PowerPoint is necessary

– Those with research & field-based experience working with diverse and spread teams, and willingness to travel as required, would be welcome.

– Additional working knowledge of software (e.g. GIS, Stata, In-Design / Photoshop) will be and added advantage

What competencies does it take to be Project Manager – State Capacities

As there are two open positions, the candidate should possess either of the below two competencies –

1. Excellent project plan formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation skills, with good working knowledge of Office Suites

a. Proficient in use of Project / Planning software with a strong command on data visualization

b. Strong quantitative analytical capabilities with a good working knowledge of MS Excel – to be able to design complex excel models with minimum supervision

2. Strong public policy / urban governance research mind-set with an ability to think systems reform and design

a. Strong in research methods and qualitative analysis of urban development issues and governance models in India

b. Ability to create sharp presentation decks, concept notes and policy memos using PowerPoint, Word and other software

Along with,

– Ability to operate independently with minimal instructions & supervision

– Ability to work with flexibility / ambiguity – adapting to changing needs

– should be able to mould abstract ideas into advocacy collaterals

– Willing to follow up with all level of stakeholders actively, in a methodical manner

– Positive attitude, flexibility, and ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment

– Effective communication – is able to convey thoughts in a sharp and succinct fashion

What Janaagraha offers

At Janaagraha, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and passionate citizens who apply cutting-edge technologies and practices aimed at social change in India’s cities. We offer a dynamic, driven and vibrant work environment for professionals who are passionate about investing their time, skill sets and energy to transform quality of life in India’s cities. At work, you will be exposed to a unique combination of policy, practice and platforms and will have abundant opportunities to learn and apply professional skills to social challenges.

Remuneration

Janaagraha is an equal opportunity employer and offers a highly dynamic and enabling work environment. We provide competitive remuneration commensurate with relevant experience skill-sets and background.

This position is based out of Bhubaneshwar and will report to the CEO – Odisha. This engagement will be for an initial period of 2 years.