Job Opportunity for State Head, Programs at Quest Alliance in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

## State Head, Programs

**About Quest Alliance**

Quest Alliance is a not-for-profit trust dedicated to transforming learning ecosystems through education technology, capacity building, and collaboration. We aim to build 21st-century skills for learners and facilitators. Our work spans school education and vocational training, engaging with educators, civil society, government institutions, and corporate organizations. We strive to demonstrate and enable scalable and replicable solutions for quality education and skills training.

**Job Description**

Join Quest Alliance as we continue our mission in Gujarat, where we’ve been making a difference since 2013. Partnering with secondary schools and vocational training institutions (NGOs, ITIs), our dedicated team of 35 plus employees is committed to creating a meaningful impact on the ground. 

As we embark on our ambitious five-year plan, we’re seeking a visionary leader to spearhead our efforts in Gujarat. This role presents a unique opportunity to elevate our work to new heights across the entire school-to-work continuum. Your mission will be to ensure quality impact, streamline processes, and foster the well-being of our program team.

**Key Responsibilities:**

* **State Strategy:** Anchor the state strategy to ensure a balance between scale and depth, keeping the aspirations of young people in the region at the center and planning the work accordingly, across the school-to-work continuum.

* **Team Expansion:** Support the team in expanding the work in the state and ecosystems based on opportunities and potential for growth while maintaining a balance with a depth and impact first approach.

* **Ecosystem Engagement:** Work closely with ecosystem leads to integrate strategic thought processes around youth and school ecosystems in the state.

* **Government Partnerships:** Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders (SSA, SCERT, DET) to drive advocacy and system change, ensuring ownership of Quest innovations and their mainstreaming within the system.

* **Program Design & Implementation:** Lead the design and development of the state strategy aligning with organizational goals, national frameworks, and donor requirements.

* **Team Culture:** Build a team culture embedded on Quest values.

* **Budget Management:** Support ecosystem leads in budget management for existing projects and proposal writing for new projects. Ensure expenditure across projects allocated for the region aligns with commitments to the donor.

* **Data Driven Decision Making:** Integrate output and impact lenses in internal and external reporting. Drive data-driven decision making with the team and partners.

* **Monitoring & Evaluation:** Work with monitoring and evaluation focal persons to develop monitoring and reporting systems aligned with the Strategic Framework and donor requirements for the region.

* **Advocacy:** Actively contribute to conversations, ensure quarterly reporting of activities to donors, and ensure government participation in co-planning and delivering initiatives.

* **Innovation:** Hold the innovation agenda for the region.

* **Team Management:** Mentor, coach, and support team members in their professional development.

* **Learning & Development:** Plan for the team’s learning calendar and other L&D initiatives as needed.

**Requirements & Skills:**

* **Strategic Leadership:** Proven experience in anchoring state-level strategies, balancing scale and depth while prioritizing the aspirations of young people. Demonstrated ability to plan and execute initiatives across the school-to-work continuum.

* **Partnership Development:** Track record of building strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and NGOs. Ability to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration, advocacy, and resource mobilization.

* **Program Design & Implementation:** Extensive experience in designing and implementing programs aligned with organizational goals, national frameworks, and donor requirements. Ability to lead teams in delivering high-quality programs, ensuring alignment with program priorities and effective utilization of project funds.

* **Team Management & Development:** Proven leadership skills with the ability to mentor, coach, and support team members in their professional development. Experience in fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and performance excellence within the team.

* **Data Driven Decision Making:** Proficiency in driving data-driven decision-making processes, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting systems. Ability to analyze data insights to improve program implementation and inform strategic planning.

* **Communication & Reporting:** Strong written and verbal communication skills in English with the ability to articulate program impact, insights, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders. Experience in developing and implementing reporting systems aligned with organizational and donor requirements.

* **Educational Background:** A relevant postgraduate degree in social sciences, development studies, education, or a related field is preferred.

**Additional Requirements:**

* Demonstrated commitment to Quest Alliance’s mission and values.

* Flexibility to travel extensively within the region.

* Proficiency in relevant languages and computer applications.

**Location:** Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

**Job Type:** Full-time

**To Apply:**

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the Quest Alliance website. 

**Quest Alliance is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all segments of the community.**

**We value your individuality and respect within our organization.**