Program Manager, Schools of Applied Learning (SoAL), Punjab

About The Education Alliance

The Education Alliance (TEA) is a non-profit organization that warmly welcomes all those who share our passion for providing high-quality education to every child in India. Headquartered in Delhi, we are committed to promoting system reform projects that help to ensure that all children in India have equitable access to quality education.

We support state education departments by deploying highly qualified teams that work with state and non-state actors to co-create solutions to improve the quality of education in government schools. We currently operate in five states (Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, and Punjab) and are proud to have a dedicated team of 50+ young professionals.

Why TEA?

Joining TEA provides you with a rare opportunity to drive meaningful and lasting change within the education system, working alongside top politicians (ministers) and bureaucrats (IAS officers) who are leading education reform in the country. As a member of our team, you’ll have the chance to help deliver statewide education projects that make a real difference in the lives of children and their families.

At TEA, we believe in creating a positive work environment that fosters growth and development, and we’re proud to be certified as a ‘Great Place To Work®’. We offer some of the most progressive work policies in the not-for-profit sector, with a strong focus on employee development and well-being, ensuring that young professionals have every opportunity to build a fulfilling and successful career with us.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for passionate, driven, and highly qualified young professionals who are eager to build a career in public policy and public administration, with a focus on education. If you have excellent project management and problem-solving skills, we’d love to hear from you. Our rigorous recruitment process ensures that we find the right candidates for the role and the culture of our organization.

Joining TEA is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful and long-lasting impact in education. 

ABOUT The Project:

In Punjab, approximately 2.5 Lakh students leave the government school system annually with around 1.5 Lakh entering the workforce immediately post-school. The government of Punjab is setting up Schools of Applied Learning to enhance the quality of vocational education. The project focuses on three key areas:

1. Redeveloping Vocational Trades: This involves collaboration with industry experts to deepen skill sets provided in vocational courses.
2. Upskilling Trainers and Upgrading the resources (labs etc): Enhancing the capabilities of trainers and modernizing lab facilities to improve overall skill training.
3. Building Industry-School Synergy: Establishing a sustainable relationship between industries and schools, ensuring a seamless transition from education to employment.

The goal is to create a vocational education system that aligns with the needs and aspirations of students, equipping them with industry-relevant skills and facilitating their smooth transition into the workforce.

About The Role

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Curriculum Development:

• Collaborate with industry experts to design and develop comprehensive vocational curricula that align with current industry standards and requirements.
• Facilitate workshops and focus group discussions with industry experts, trainers, and students to gather input and feedback on curriculum development.

• Work with trainers to implement new curricula and provide ongoing support and training to ensure effective delivery.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational curricula and make necessary adjustments.
• Ensure curricula meet educational standards and regulatory requirements.

Support program strategy and approach

• Support State Head and external partners’ team on designing program strategy and creating an action plan for state transformation based on on-ground learnings
• Conduct research and analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) to develop the team’s understanding of system problems, evidence-based solutions, and innovations in the sector
• Design an M&E framework with clearly defined performance indicators, targets, and milestones

On-ground implementation and monitoring

• Oversee and guide associates on specific verticals in executing the program strategy
  Coordinate with partners (government officials, TEA team, partner organizations, etc.) to deliver on program objectives.
• Enable implementation partners, including government officials, to meet outcome, budget, and timeline targets.
• Ensure availability, timely deployment, and efficient utilization of resources
• Identify operational bottlenecks and weaknesses, wherever applicable, and devise work-around strategies
• Track program progress on key indicators according to the M&E framework
• Ensure the quality of documents prepared by TEA team members, including reports, presentations, proposals, etc.

Communication & Documentation

• Documentation and communication related to program achievements/outcomes and program implementation through concept notes, presentations, reports, approval letters, etc.
• Documentation on on-ground learnings and knowledge received from external partners to support TEA’s internal capacity/knowledge building

Skills and Qualifications

• Preferred minimum work experience of 2-3 years including 1-2 years of post-graduation work experience (MBA or MPP/MPA or Bachelor’s degree with exceptional work experience)
• Experience with on-ground program implementation is crucial for the role
• Strong analytical (read quantitative) and problem-solving skills
• Experience with M&E rubrics and program evaluations preferred
• Desired skills include written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills and networking skills, and the ability to work on tight deadlines
• Experiences working with government and in the education sector are desirable, though not necessary

Salary: 09+ LPA

Employment Type: Permanent / Full Time

Location: Chandigarh

To apply, fill out the form here