Chief Program Officer – Family Strengthening Program
- Company
SOS Children's Villages of India
- Location
Delhi
- Employment Type
Full-Time
-
Functional Category
Programme Management & Implementation
-
Experience
15 - 17 years
About SOS Children's Villages of India
Established in 1964, SOS Children’s Villages of India provides children without parental care or at the risk of losing it, a value chain of quality care services that goes beyond childcare alone, ensuring comprehensive child development. Our customized care interventions such as: Family Like Care, Family Strengthening, Kinship Care, Short Stay Homes, Foster Care, Youth Skilling, Emergency Childcare and Special Needs Childcare are aimed at transforming lives and enabling children under care into self-reliant and contributing members of society. The organization empowers vulnerable families in communities to become financially independent, thereby enabling them to create safe and nurturing spaces for children under their care. Today, over 6,500 children live in more than 440 family homes, inside 32 SOS Children’s Villages of India, in 22 States/UTs, from Srinagar to Kochi, and Bhuj to Shillong. They are lovingly cared for and nurtured by over 600 SOS Mothers and Aunts. As India’s largest self-implementing childcare NGO, SOS Children’s Villages India directly touches the lives of around 30,000 children every year.
Overview of the Role
Reporting to the Secretary General/Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Programme Officer – Family Strengthening Programme (CPO – FSP) shall provide strategic and operational leadership for the design, implementation, monitoring, and impact assessment of SOS India’s Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) across the nation. The role is central to empowering vulnerable families and communities to provide quality care and protection for their children, thereby preventing family breakdown and reducing the risk of institutionalisation. The CPO shall ensure the integration of rights-based, community-driven, and sustainable approaches that enhance child well-being, family resilience, and overall community stability, in alignment with SOS India’s mission and national child protection priorities. In addition, the CPO shall lead Youth Development initiatives through education and skill development, equipping young people with employability skills and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and independent living. This is a senior leadership role focused on building strategic partnerships, enhancing SOS CVI’s visibility, and delivering innovative, child-centred CSR programs with measurable impact. The role requires clear ownership of safeguarding and digital priorities, strong results-based execution, and disciplined collaboration with the CEO. Entrepreneurial leadership, cost consciousness, and high ethical standards are essential. The CPO will also provide operational leadership to ensure effective and timely implementation of Family Strengthening Programmes across SOS India’s locations. This includes strengthening coordination between national, zonal, and field teams for seamless program execution, while ensuring operational efficiency, adherence to quality standards, and optimal use of resources.
Job Description
A. Strategic Leadership & Program Design:
(1) Lead the national strategy for Family Strengthening in line with SOS India’s Strategy 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and government schemes (e.g., ICPS, ICDS, NHM, NEP, Skill India, NSDC, MSDE);
(2) Design innovative and scalable models for poverty alleviation, parental capacity building, livelihood support, and child protection;
(3) Drive the integration of skills, employability, vocational training, digital empowerment and entrepreneurship within the framework of Youth Development;
(4) Ensure community ownership, gender inclusion, and child participation in program planning;
(5) Identify industry trends and needs and update and design policies;
(6) Serve as a member of the National Child Protection Team and ensure compliance with prescribed processes.
B. Program Implementation and Operational Oversight:
(1) Provide guidance to regional teams to effectively implement FSP across urban and rural locations;
(2) Ensure standard operating procedures, program guidelines, and tools are followed;
(3) Oversee program expansion and closure strategies based on evidence and needs;
(4) Ensure risk management and crisis response mechanisms are in place.
C. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Quality Assurance:
(1) Ensure high-quality service delivery aligned with Policies, Processes and Values of the organization;
(2) Lead the development and implementation of MEAL frameworks tailored to FSP;
(3) Ensure data-driven decision-making and program reporting;
(4) Promote a culture of learning, impact documentation, and innovation.
D. Stakeholder and Government Engagement:
(1) Strengthen partnerships with government departments (Social Welfare / Justice, Education, Health, Labour), CSR partners, community stakeholders, academic institutions, corporates, placement agencies and NGOs;
(2) Advocate for family strengthening and community-based child protection with state and national stakeholders;
(3) Represent SOS India in national and international forums on child and family welfare, youth and skilling.
E. Donor and Resource Development Support:
(1) Collaborate with the fundraising team to conceptualize and pitch high-impact FSP projects for CSR and institutional donors;
(2) Ensure effective donor communication, impact visibility, and compliance.
F. Capacity Building and Team Leadership:
(1) Lead and mentor a team of program managers, zonal teams, and field staff through a well-defined result-based monitoring system;
(2) Develop capacity-building plans for staff, community facilitators, and partners;
(3) Promote leadership, motivation, and retention within the program team.
Required & Preferred Qualifications
Skill
(1) Strong understanding of child rights, community development, and social protection mechanisms;
(2) Strategic thinking, planning, and budgeting expertise;
(3) High-level communication and stakeholder management skills;
(4) Analytical mindset with familiarity in using program data and MIS systems;
(5) Financial Acumen and Resource Management;
(6) Fluency in English and Hindi; knowledge of other regional languages is an asset.
Education
Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Social Work, Rural Development, Public Policy, Child Rights, or related fields.
Experience
(1) Minimum 15-17 years of experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing large-scale child/family/youth/community development programmes; (2) Prior experience working with urban and rural poverty reduction, child protection, women’s empowerment, or livelihoods is essential; (3) Experience in working with government schemes, and CSR-funded programmes is preferred.