Leadership For Equity
Background
Leadership For Skilled Education Foundation (branded as Leadership For Equity, LFE), is a non-profit (NGO) based out of Pune, Maharashtra.
We envision Public Education Systems That Refuse To Let Children Down
APPROACH
In our two-fold approach to change, we build the capacity of government system leaders and we influence system processes. In partnership with the local and state education bodies, we co-create programs that shift teaching-learning practices and improve student learning and well-being. This work coupled with our research and advisory support to influence policies, we hope to create an effective government education system.
Over the last 5 years, LFE has built the capacity of 2100+ system leaders, and 40,200+ teachers to impact 8 million students across Maharashtra. Additionally, LFE has recently expanded its operations and started working in another 3 states of India including Haryana, Tripura & Andhra Pradesh. In Maharashtra, LFE works with 5 districts (Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Satara & Akola), 3 municipal bodies (Pune MC, Pimpri Chinchwad MC & Nagpur MC) & 5 state-level education bodies (School Education Dept, SCERT, Samagra Shiksha, Tribal Development Dept, & TRTI). In Andhra Pradesh, LFE works closely with the Samagra Shiksha Office, SCERT & The World Bank on a multi-year strategic project to improve the quality of learning across 13 districts of the State. And lastly, in Haryana & Tripura, LFE works with SCERTs of both states in setting up targeted program management units (PMUs) to strengthen the delivery of large-scale academic programs.
BELIEF
We believe Public Education Systems are the gatekeepers of social EQUITY, especially when India's 120 million children continue to go to government-run schools. A multi-layered, complex, and systemic problem of educational inequity, will require a solution rooted in the SYSTEMS CHANGE approach. We believe that a COLLECTIVE effort by forging partnerships with governments, like-minded philanthropists, corporates, donors, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations will help bring scalable and sustainable social change.
Job description and responsibilities
The Senior Associate will be responsible for smooth operations and growth across various districts in Maharashtra. The Senior Associate will work with the Program Manager to ensure project goals are achieved. Additionally, they will collaborate with government stakeholders, funding partners and members across teams as and when required as well as be an integral part of the project leadership and drive learning across teams.
Program Implementation and Operations (40%)
● Implement project plans that can run successfully across districts in Maharashtra and other states with measurable outcomes
● Advise on and oversee design of training materials, handbooks, teacher/officer proficiency metrics, and other auxiliary training related items
● Visit training sites, classrooms, and other offices across the districts to oversee implementation and use the observation data to tweak subsequent plans.
● Coordinate with other teams and operations counterparts to ensure smooth implementation
Stakeholder Management and Advisory (30%)
● Work with concerned DIETs, State bodies and partner organisation leadership, subject experts and other government stakeholders to build long-lasting, trust-based relationships that aid project operations and increase impact.
● Work with a mindset of co-creation to enable capacity and ownership of government and partner stakeholders.
● Conduct regular update meetings with stakeholders and provide progress towards goals of the relevant programs in a consumable format to all stakeholders.
Team Management (20%)
● Manage a team of 1-3 project associates focusing on their deliverables, professional support and development
● Create and lead structures to sustain a culture of collaboration, belief in public systems and strong accountability and delivery.
● Build and implement the reporting structures that align with LFE’s management style to ensure accountability for self and team.
Organisational support (10%)
● Forge partnerships and establish collaboration amongst non-profits and CSR organisations operating within the same districts to achieve the larger goal of providing better learning in schools.
● Maintain partner relations to ensure timely accountability and reporting of project progress, etc.
● Be the representative of the organisation at selected events to promote the organisational brand and strengthen our networks
Requirement: Education & Experience
● Bachelors in any field. Masters in Education / Development degree is preferred.
● 2+ Years of experience executing multiple projects simultaneously
● Prior experience in working with remote teams would be highly preferred
● Prior experience in Capacity building of teachers/officers
● Experience in policy implementation would be an added advantage
Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities
● Excellent written and oral communication skills.
● Belief in the potential of the public sector and that government systems can and will change towards overcoming systemic inequities and ensuring improved outcomes for all citizens.
● A basic understanding of social equity, development discourse and education policy in India.
● Being able to take initiative and work in an autonomous, semi-structured environment.
● Adaptability to changing responsibilities and resourcefulness to respond to them.
● High openness to learning.
● Ability to build and sustain relationships with multiple stakeholders & partners across public and private spaces.
● Strong ability to create outstanding presentations, and work with Microsoft Excel, Google Suite, and varied data sets.
● Patience and resilience to stick it out in the face of setbacks and uncertainties.
Location and Compensation
Location: Pune, Maharashtra.
Will involve travel across districts within the state
Compensation
Apart from being a part of a young and dynamic learning team, the individual will receive a healthy compensation at par with the non-profit sector benchmark for this position, commensurate with the individual’s prior experience and qualifications. The current compensation band offered, based on fit and experience is 6.0 - 7.5 Lakh per annum CTC based on experience and skill set.
Leadership For Equity is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind. We do not discriminate on the basis of caste, race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor.
