Head - People & Culture

Job Description - State Program Lead - Livelihood (Apprenticeship) Kerela

Organization Background

RightWalk Foundation’s core mission involves driving Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice by co-shaping public policies and translating them into action. We practice Systems Thinking approach for institutional reform by partnering with system leadership, lawmakers, and communities. We have several key policy reforms related to RTE 12.1.(c) and Apprenticeship and enabled over 7 lakh EWS and disadvantaged children access quality education and 90,000 vulnerable youth find apprenticeship opportunities in the last 8 years.

Program Details:

The program is in close coordination with the State Governments for end-to-end implementation of a public policy. It can impact the lives of 20,000 to 50,000 youth to secure employment and focus on ‘earning while learning’. In addition, the scheme is one of the top three priority schemes of the Chief Minister’s office and is closely followed. This is a great opportunity to work in public policy implementation in Kerela and impact the lives of thousands of youths from vulnerable communities. It will both be a challenging as well as a rewarding experience.

Purpose of the Role:

We are seeking highly motivated and experienced State Leads to oversee the implementation and growth of an apprenticeship project in Kerela. The position reports to the Director, Program & Operations and is responsible to leading operations, liaising with government and stakeholders, team building and capacity building, donor reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. The position holder will design the program implementation plan; and M&E plan and drive the setting up of a robust governance structure while working closely with the State Government. The person will spend a significant proportion of time at the government office working directly with senior bureaucratic leadership in the State.

Areas of Responsibility

The list mentioned below provides more detailed descriptions of the role to be performed. It is not exhaustive but illustrates the scope of responsibilities and provides insight into other tasks that may be required or assigned as per need. The tasks/responsibilities are supported by existing critical employees who will report into the position holder.

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and implement strategic plans for the project in collaboration with the project team.
• Provide leadership and direction to the team, ensuring that they are aligned with the project goals and objectives.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate project performance to ensure that the project is on track to meet its targets and deliverables.
• Provide senior leadership and external stakeholders with regular value-added reports.
• that identifies & tracks the status of the program, milestones and deliverables.

Operational Planning and Management:

• Develop and implement operational plans and strategies to ensure successful execution of the Skill Development Program
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the program and manage the field team responsible for implementing the program and providing training to participants
• Develop and manage budgets, timelines, and project plans
• Ensure accountability of delivery on achievement of pre-defined outcomes

Human Capital Management:

• Recruit, train, and manage the field team to ensure high-quality program delivery
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure effective performance management and employee engagement
• Work with HR to ensure appropriate staffing levels and address any personnel issues that arise
• Drive a culture of coaching and mentorship to facilitate capacity building of team
• Ensure the effective functioning of the operations team while working in a matrix structure

Community / Donor / Stakeholder Relations:

• Develop and implement strategies to build relationships with potential employers and secure job placements for program graduates
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community members, community groups, local organizations to scale the reach and impact of the program along with donors, and other stakeholders to ensure the program's success
• Participate in respective donor meetings and support donor reporting and engagement

Government Relations:

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to promote policies and programs that support apprenticeship and workforce development
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials and agencies in state, including the State Apprenticeship Agency and other relevant bodies
• Provide input and guidance to state and federal policymakers on issues related to apprenticeship and workforce development
• Work with partner organizations and coalitions to advance shared goals related to apprenticeship and workforce development policy
• Monitor state and federal legislation and regulations related to apprenticeship and workforce development in state and provide analysis and recommendations to organizational leadership
• Ensure timely and regular reporting to the Chief Minister’s office, Principal Secretary, Directors

Growth and Expansion:

• Identify growth opportunities in central government and other states
• Lead expansion with resource mobilization and team set up
• Conduct market research to identify new opportunities for growth and expansion

Qualifications:

• Post-graduate degree in social sciences, management or social work
• 7-12 years of experience in operations, business strategy & rapid scale expansion in the development sector with 3-5 years of experience in Strategy and Operations
• Prior experience of working with the State or Central Government will be preferred
• Result orientation, effective leadership, strong communication skills, influencing skills, stakeholder management, strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from varied backgrounds and levels
• Good at writing reports and creating data dashboards
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and proactively, without support staff and with little supervision
• Experience in operational planning and management, human capital management, community and stakeholder relations, and growth and expansion strategies
• Ability to think strategically and implement innovative solutions to complex problems
• Strong planning and organizational skills, and an ability to be able to set priorities, plan timelines and meet deadlines

Desired Qualities:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and ‘get-it-done’ attitude
• Operating style suited to working in a small organization setting, where teamwork and resourcefulness are highly valued
• Excellent leadership skills, including ability to manage multiple projects at a time.
• Fluency in English and local languages

Personal Attributes

• Alignment: Strong alignment with RWF’s mission of driving Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice in building stronger education ecosystems in India
• Enjoys working under pressure: flexible, highly organized and able to prioritize work to meet deadlines
• Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire a team towards achieving program objectives.
• Strategic thinker: Ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Excellent communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including donors, community members, and program participants.
• Results-oriented: Ability to focus on achieving program outcomes and targets, and taking necessary actions to ensure success.
• Collaborative: Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including team members, external partners, and community members.
• Empathetic: Ability to understand the needs and perspectives of program participants, and create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• Flexible: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and develop creative solutions to address unexpected challenges.
• Self-motivated: Ability to take initiative, work independently, and proactively seek out opportunities for program improvement and growth.
• Passionate: Strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization, and a deep belief in the power of skill development to transform lives and communities.