Program Manager - Madhya Pradesh

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the fundamental importance of universal foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). The policy asserts that all other aspects are relevant only if children acquire these essential skills during primary school. Children, especially those with special needs and disabilities, face significant barriers hindering their acquisition of foundational skills. In India, an estimated 7.8 million children and young individuals had disabilities in 2019. Alarmingly, a large proportion of them do not attend educational institutions, and 45% struggle to attain foundational literacy. Urgent, concerted efforts and inclusive education initiatives are vital to help these children overcome obstacles, fostering their full potential. Fortunately, existing policy frameworks, technological advancements, and governmental commitment offer a unique opportunity to address this pressing need.

ENABLE' or 'Equity in Accessing Numeracy And Basic Literacy Education', is a multi-pronged intervention to strengthen the quality of education for 3-9 year olds with disabilities.

ENABLE promotes 

• It is about time, mainstream education becomes “inclusive” in all dimensions
• “Children first” approach

A. Position Summary: 

Program Manager plays a pivotal role in project planning, execution, coordination, monitoring, and reporting. They contribute to the successful execution of projects by assisting in the development of project plans, coordinating activities across teams, monitoring progress, and preparing reports for stakeholders. Their role ensures project alignment with objectives and facilitates effective communication.

B. Key responsibilities :

Project Management and Leadership - 

• Ensure alignment with the project's goals and objectives for enhancing education for children with disabilities in the state. 
• Work closely with the central project team to adapt and localise project plans to fit the specific needs and challenges in the state. 
• Manage project resources, including budget, personnel, and materials.
• Ensure efficient and effective implementation of activities in the state. 
• Identify potential risks and challenges that may hinder project success and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.

Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement - 

• Provide leadership and guidance to the project team, fostering professional growth and skill development.
• Ensure that team members are well-trained and equipped to deliver project objectives.
• Conduct training of various stakeholders for capacity building on inclusive education. 

Reporting and Communication - 

• Facilitate clear communication within the project team.
• Maintain communication with external stakeholders, sharing updates, achievements, and challenges.
• Ensure timely reporting both within and outside the organisation. 

C. Required Skills and Knowledge :

Skills

• Ability to develop and align strategies with the project's goals and objectives.
• Expertise in project planning and execution. 
• Ability to lead and think strategically. 
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• The ability to collect and analyse data to deliver meaningful results. 
• Team building and conflict resolution. 

Knowledge

• Expertise in understanding of the education sector. Knowledge of an inclusive education landscape is preferable. 
• Familiarity with relevant education policies and regulations, and the ability to provide guidance on policy development and implementation.
• Familiarity with project management softwares. 
• Research methods and data collection techniques.

Program Management

Stakeholder Management