Manager – Programs

Manager - Programs

(Function: Programs | Level: Managerial – Level 1)

Organizational Profile

Karuna-Shechen is a social development initiative working extensively in India and Nepal through its respective national organization. The organization acts for a more altruistic world, catering to the needs of the most vulnerable populations. We work in Health, Education, Environment, Food Security, and Economic Development, serving vulnerable and marginalised populace of these regions. We serve remote communities directly intervening at the grass roots level, while fostering a supportive and healthy work environment for our team members. The essence of our work is based on community-driven approaches focusing on integrated community development models.

For more details, please visit: http://karuna-shechen.org

Key Details

• Position: Manager – Programs
• Location: Bodhgaya - Bihar (with travel as needed)
• Reports to: Lead – Programs
• Supervisory Role: Manager- Projects, Coordinator- Programs/Projects
• Employment Type: Full-time

 

At Karuna-Shechen, we seek leaders who embody our organizational values in both their work and relationships. We value individuals who create the team, cultivate joy, listen deeply, act with kindness, remain effective, welcome the unknown, express gratitude and practice Right Speech. These values guide the way we work together, engage with communities and serve others.

 

Position Overview

The Manager – Programs provides state-level programmatic leadership and operational oversight for all interventions across thematic areas (Health, Education, Livelihoods, Environment, and Economic Development). This role translates organizational strategies into state-specific action plans, ensures quality program implementation, facilitates team performance, and manages state-level stakeholder engagement. The role is critical to achieving integrated development outcomes and building strong community-led programs within the assigned geography.

 

Working under the guidance of the Lead – Programmes and in close collaboration with the thematic teams, MEAL, Finance and other support functions, the Manager – Programmes ensures that programmes are implemented in accordance with organisational priorities, donor commitments and community needs while promoting innovation, accountability and sustainability across all programme interventions.

Core Responsibilities (70%)

• Support the Lead – Programs in translating organisational strategies into annual and operational programme plans, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and community needs.
• Manage programme implementation across assigned thematic areas, ensuring timely delivery, quality standards, and compliance with approved plans, budgets, and donor commitments.
• Supervise and mentor programme teams, strengthening performance, capacity, collaboration, and accountability across projects.
• Monitor programme progress through regular field visits, implementation reviews, and problem-solving to ensure quality, effectiveness, and community engagement.
• Coordinate with MEAL, Finance, HR, Procurement, and other support functions to ensure effective programme delivery, reporting, resource utilisation, and operational compliance.
• Manage programme budgets within delegated authority, monitor expenditure, and ensure timely preparation of programme and financial reports.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with government departments, local institutions, community leaders, partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen programme implementation and collaboration.
• ·       Promote learning, documentation, innovation, and continuous improvement by capturing good practices, lessons learned, and community feedback to strengthen programme quality and impact.

Link Responsibilities (15%)

• Collaborate with MEAL team to ensure timely data collection, evaluation, and learning integration.
• Liaise with Communications team to share stories of change and case studies from the field.
• Coordinate with HR to support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of state teams.
• Coordinate with Finance on budgeting, financial reporting, and programme expenditure.
• Provide inputs to fundraising teams on field priorities, impact metrics, and partnership opportunities.
• Represent the Lead – Programs, as delegated, during periods of absence or as required, ensuring continuity of programme leadership and decision-making.
• Foster a values-driven work culture of respect, transparency, and shared learning.
• Lead community listening mechanisms and integrate feedback into programming.
• Contribute to cross-state knowledge exchange and learning processes.
• Implement organizational SOPs, safeguarding protocols, and gender equity measures.

Systemic Responsibilities (15%)

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Rural Development, Public Health, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in nonprofit program management, preferably at state or regional levels.
• Experience in supervising multi-functional teams and managing large-scale implementation.
• Experience working at grass roots level in hard to reach geographies and communities.
• A good practical understanding and experience of participatory and community based integrated community development
• Proficiency in budget oversight, team leadership, and documentation.

Preferred

• Experience in integrated community development programmes.
• Experience working with Government systems, civil society organisations and institutional partners.
• Experience in programme design, proposal development and resource mobilisation.
• Familiarity with working in Bihar, Jharkhand, or West Bengal contexts.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Program operations, budgeting, community engagement, and MIS tracking.
• Strong understanding of rural development dynamics, social structures and local power structures, participatory tools, and thematic interventions.

Leadership & Management

• Proactive problem-solving, decision-making, and resource planning skills.
• Team motivation, mentoring, and performance tracking ability.

Communication & Collaboration

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, Hindi, and local language.
• Stakeholder engagement, coordination, and representation skills.
• Good written and presentation skills in both English and Hindi.

Personal and Behavioural Competencies

• Lead with integrity, humility, accountability and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Build collaborative, respectful and trusting relationships across teams, partners and communities.
• Foster a culture of learning, innovation, continuous improvement and shared accountability.
• Balance strategic thinking with operational excellence, ensuring attention to both processes and outcomes.
• Demonstrate sound judgement, resilience, adaptability and a proactive, self-driven approach in dynamic and complex environments.
• Remain field-oriented and responsive to community realities while maintaining high professional standards.
• Model the organisational values of Karuna-Shechen in all professional interactions.

To apply, click here - https://forms.gle/TRbqPR6joDboQZc68

 

Disclaimer - 

1. Candidates who have applied in the previous 6 months , need not apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

2. Shortlisting will be carried out on a rolling basis. Interested and eligible candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest.

 

 

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