Job Opportunity for Senior Manager – AFE Project at Leadership for Equity in Pune

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

Senior Manager, Programs will be responsible for smooth operations and growth of the Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) Project across various districts in Maharashtra and possibly in other states. 

The Senior Manager will work with the Program Director to ensure project goals are achieved. Additionally, they will collaborate with government stakeholders, funding partners and members across teams as and when required as well as be an integral part of the project leadership and drive learning across teams.

Program Design and Operations (40%)

• Design detailed iterative project plans that can run successfully across districts in Maharashtra and other states with measurable outcomes
• Create detailed Log Frames, and monitoring mechanisms and guidelines to enable smooth implementation
• Advise on and oversee design of training materials, handbooks, teacher/officer proficiency metrics, and other auxiliary training related items
• Visit training sites, classrooms, and other offices across the districts to oversee implementation and use the observation data to tweak subsequent plans
• Coordinate with other teams and operations counterparts to ensure smooth implementation

Team Management (30%)

• Manage a team of 2-4 Managers/Senior Associates and 5-7 Associates, focusing on their deliverables and professional support and development
• Design and lead team support structures to sustain a culture of collaboration, belief in public systems and strong accountability and timely project delivery
• Implement the reporting structures that aligns with LFEs management style to ensure accountability for self and team, including performance appraisals, KRA reviews, etc.

Stakeholder Management and Advisory (20%)

• Work with concerned DIETs, State bodies and partner organisation leadership, subject experts and other government stakeholders to build long-lasting, trust-based relationships that aid project operations and increase impact
• Work with a mindset of co-creation to enable capacity and ownership of government and partner stakeholders
• Conduct regular update meetings with stakeholders and provide progress towards goals of the relevant programs in a consumable format to all stakeholders

Organisational support (10%)

• Forge partnerships and establish collaboration amongst non-profits and CSR organisations operating within the same districts to achieve the larger goal of providing better learning in schools
• Seek and establish new funding sources to support growth and expansion of the projects.
• Maintain funder relations to ensure timely accountability and reporting of funds, resources, project progress, etc. 
• As a hiring manager, support the HR team with recruitment for the allocated projects.
• Be the representative of the organisation at selected events to promote the organisational brand and strengthen our networks

Requirement:

Education & Experience

• Bachelors in any field. Masters in Education / Development degree is preferred.
• 8+ Years of experience executing multiple projects simultaneously (at least 3-4 years of which should include directly working with government stakeholders)
• Prior experience in managing remote teams would be highly preferred 
• Prior experience in Capacity building of teachers/officers 
• Experience in policy implementation would be an added advantage

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Experience in project design and M&E 
• 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
• A basic understanding of social equity, development discourse and education policy in India
• Being able to take initiative and work in an autonomous, semi-structured environment
• Adaptability to changing responsibilities and resourcefulness to respond to them
• High openness to learning
• Ability to 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, and varied data sets
• Patience and resilience to stick it out in the face of setbacks and uncertainties

Location and Compensation

Location: Pune, Maharashtra. Will involve travel across Maharashtra & other states

Compensation: 

Expected to be around 10,00,000 – 12,00,000 lakh per annum based on experience and skillset.