Central Square Foundation
The Central Square Foundation (CSF), established in 2012, is a prominent non-profit in India focused on improving learning outcomes for schoolchildren through system-led educational reforms. Its key initiatives include foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), EdTech integration, Early Childhood Education (ECE) reforms, and school governance improvements. CSF's FLN efforts, in collaboration with 11 state governments, form the core of its strategy, aiming to enhance education across various levels. The foundation also emphasizes digital learning solutions and the potential of AI to improve outcomes, while strengthening governance in both private and public schools for a more robust education system.
Project Manager Role in the State Reform Team:
The project manager role at CSF is embedded within the State Reform Team, which operates in three Indian states: Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), and Haryana. These teams are based in cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Bhopal, and Panchkula, with project management units overseeing reform efforts at various levels of government, from state to district and block levels. As the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) advances, CSF’s involvement in district-based assignments will increase, enabling project managers to be actively engaged in on-ground implementations of reform activities.
1. FLN Academic Materials and School-based Assessments
- Design and develop foundational learning materials in collaboration with academic partners and state education bodies.
- Manage procurement, printing, and distribution of materials to schools.
- Gather and incorporate feedback from schools to continuously improve materials.
2. Mentoring Programs for Teachers
- Identify, train, and manage mentors to support teachers through school visits.
- Design and implement school visit protocols and app-based observation tools.
- Monitor and improve the quality of mentor support for teachers.
3. Teacher Professional Development
- Design training materials for face-to-face and digital teacher training programs.
- Oversee the rollout of teacher training sessions and monitor participation and completion rates.
- Collaborate with state training bodies to ensure high-quality training for teachers.
4. System Assessment of FLN Outcomes
- Develop assessment frameworks and collaborate with state groups to design assessment items.
- Oversee the creation of app-based tools for student assessments.
- Analyze assessment data, generate insights, and inform district-level decision-making.
5. FLN Monitoring System
- Develop technology tools and dashboards for tracking FLN mission KPIs.
- Manage the development and rollout of tech tools for data collection and reporting.
- Conduct field testing and ensure effective use of the monitoring system at the state and district levels.
6. Managing FLN Fellows' Projects
- Support FLN Fellows at the district level, ensuring alignment with FLN mission goals.
- Provide regular feedback, troubleshoot challenges, and collaborate with district officials.
- Monitor Fellows’ progress on mission implementation projects.
7. Delivering CSF-led District Accelerator Programs
- Collaborate with district-level officials (CDO, CEO) to strengthen governance structures.
- Build capacity of district and block education officers to ensure effective implementation of workstreams.
- Ensure data quality and oversee district-level acceleration of FLN mission success.
8. Central Team Projects to Support State Teams
- Conduct monitoring exercises and generate insights for donors and state teams.
- Support talent acquisition, retention, and performance management for state teams.
- Assist in fundraising, donor relations, and aligning activities with CSF's broader mission.
What Makes a Good Fit for the Role:
- A Bachelor's degree from a reputed university is required; a master's degree is preferred.
- 2 to 4 years of post-qualification work experience, preferably with a government entity, demonstrating a superb project delivery and management track record.
- Ability to analyze complex problems, develop possible solutions, and make recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Hindi.
- Ability to build and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with government stakeholders.
- Prior exposure to the education sector, public/development sector, or consulting is preferred. However, individuals with corporate experience and a genuine interest in the education sector are also encouraged to apply.
- Open to be based at the state site close to stakeholders and the team as the role involves regular travel to Delhi and different districts in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.
