Education Program Manager

Bal Asha Trust; Mumbai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Bal Asha Trust in Mumbai invites applications for the Program Manager – Education to lead the Education Sponsorship Programme, ensuring vulnerable children stay with families, continue schooling, and access opportunities that improve long-term wellbeing.

The role blends programme leadership, child protection, partnership development and monitoring, with time spent with children, families and staff, expanding impact under the Head of Programmes.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in child protection, education, family strengthening, community development or related social sector programmes.
• Experience working directly with vulnerable children and families.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Fluency in Hindi & Working knowledge of Marathi.
• Strong report writing, presentation and documentation skills.
• Good understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and effectively use programme technology and management systems.
• Strong interpersonal, observation, counselling and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel independently for field visits and programme activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Education Sponsorship Programme in line with Bal Asha Trust’s vision and strategic roadmap.
• Ensure high-quality delivery of programme activities and services.
• Monitor programme targets, outcomes and timelines.
• Contribute towards programme growth, innovation and expansion.
• Ensure programme activities are implemented in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Support annual planning, budgeting and programme reviews.
• Conduct home visits, family assessments and child case reviews.
• Support identification, assessment and onboarding of children into the programme.
• Develop a strong understanding of family vulnerabilities and strengths.
• Provide guidance, counselling and support to children and caregivers.
• Monitor educational progress, attendance, wellbeing and family circumstances.
• Ensure timely follow-up and documentation of all cases.
• Facilitate referrals to internal and external support services wherever required.
• Ensure compliance with Bal Asha Trust’s Child Protection Policy and safeguarding standards.
• Supervise, mentor and support programme staff.
• Conduct regular case reviews and team meetings.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and capacity building of programme team members.
• Strengthen systems and processes that improve programme quality and efficiency.
• Monitor and analyse programme data and trends for decision-making.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry in programme software and management systems.
• Monitor programme indicators and outcomes.
• Analyse programme data and trends for decision-making.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual programme reports.
• Support impact measurement and programme evaluation activities.
• Coordinate with relevant authorities and stakeholders whenever required.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, colleges, NGOs, government departments, Child Welfare Committees, Child Care Institutions and community organisations.
• Develop partnerships that create opportunities for children including internships, vocational training, career guidance and exposure visits.
• Represent Bal Asha Trust at meetings, workshops and networking events.
• Prepare programme reports, case studies, impact stories and presentations.
• Support donor visits and programme presentations.
• Communicate programme achievements, challenges and impact to various stakeholders.
• Present programme information confidently to donors, volunteers, partners, educational institutions and community groups.
• Work closely with management on programme communication and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and scaling of the programme.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen programme quality and impact.
• Support development of systems, partnerships and opportunities for children and families.
• Contribute to future expansion plans and programme sustainability.
• Any other responsibility assigned as and when required.

Skills

English proficiency (written and oral)

Hindi fluency

Marathi working knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Counselling skills

Team leadership

Data monitoring & analysis

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW) or equivalent

Job description

Company Description

Bal Asha Trust is a Mumbai-based child protection organisation working for vulnerable children for over 40 years. Our vision is a world where every child is protected, cared for, educated, healthy, loved and secure in a family. Through our Children’s Home, Adoption Centre, Child Development Centre, Nutrition Programme, Mumkin Programme and Education Sponsorship Programme, we work to strengthen children, families and communities while promoting family-based care and child protection.

About the Education Sponsorship Programme (ESP)

The Education Sponsorship Programme is a family-strengthening and child protection initiative that supports vulnerable children to remain with their families and continue their education. The programme provides educational financial assistance, counselling, family support, career guidance, internships, exposure opportunities and linkages to services that help children build brighter futures. Our goal is not only to support education, but to prevent family separation, reduce vulnerability and create pathways to opportunity. Currently supporting 125 children across Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Thane and Palghar districts, the programme aims to grow steadily over the coming years while maintaining high standards of quality, safeguarding and impact.

Role Description

The Program Manager – Education will lead the implementation, quality and growth of Bal Asha Trust’s Education Sponsorship Programme. The role focuses on ensuring that vulnerable children remain safely within their families, continue their education, and access opportunities that improve their long-term wellbeing and future prospects. The position combines programme leadership, child protection, family strengthening, partnership development, monitoring & evaluation, communication and team management. The selected candidate will initially work closely with children, families and programme staff to gain a deep understanding of the programme and community realities. Over time, the candidate will progressively take ownership of programme operations, team management, partnerships, monitoring systems and programme growth under the guidance of the Head of Programmes. This is a unique opportunity for a motivated social sector professional to combine direct work with children and families with programme leadership and organisational growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme Leadership & Management
  • Lead the implementation of the Education Sponsorship Programme in line with Bal Asha Trust’s vision and strategic roadmap.
  • Ensure high-quality delivery of programme activities and services.
  • Monitor programme targets, outcomes and timelines.
  • Contribute towards programme growth, innovation and expansion.
  • Ensure programme activities are implemented in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Support annual planning, budgeting and programme reviews.
• Child & Family Support
  • Conduct home visits, family assessments and child case reviews.
  • Support identification, assessment and onboarding of children into the programme.
  • Develop a strong understanding of family vulnerabilities and strengths.
  • Provide guidance, counselling and support to children and caregivers.
  • Monitor educational progress, attendance, wellbeing and family circumstances.
  • Ensure timely follow-up and documentation of all cases.
  • Facilitate referrals to internal and external support services wherever required.
  • Ensure compliance with Bal Asha Trust’s Child Protection Policy and safeguarding standards.
• Team Leadership & Capacity Building
  • Supervise, mentor and support programme staff.
  • Conduct regular case reviews and team meetings.
  • Support recruitment, onboarding and capacity building of programme team members.
  • Strengthen systems and processes that improve programme quality and efficiency.
  • Monitor and analyse programme data and trends for decision-making.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Technology
  • Ensure accurate and timely data entry in programme software and management systems.
  • Monitor programme indicators and outcomes.
  • Analyse programme data and trends for decision-making.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual programme reports.
  • Support impact measurement and programme evaluation activities.
• Partnerships & Networking
  • Coordinate with relevant authorities and stakeholders whenever required.
  • Build and maintain relationships with schools, colleges, NGOs, government departments, Child Welfare Committees, Child Care Institutions and community organisations.
  • Develop partnerships that create opportunities for children including internships, vocational training, career guidance and exposure visits.
  • Represent Bal Asha Trust at meetings, workshops and networking events.
• Communication & Donor Engagement
  • Prepare programme reports, case studies, impact stories and presentations.
  • Support donor visits and programme presentations.
  • Communicate programme achievements, challenges and impact to various stakeholders.
  • Present programme information confidently to donors, volunteers, partners, educational institutions and community groups.
  • Work closely with management on programme communication and reporting requirements.
• Programme Development
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement and scaling of the programme.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen programme quality and impact.
  • Support development of systems, partnerships and opportunities for children and families.
  • Contribute to future expansion plans and programme sustainability.
  • Any other responsibility assigned as and when required.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in child protection, education, family strengthening, community development or related social sector programmes.
• Experience working directly with vulnerable children and families.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Fluency in Hindi & Working knowledge of Marathi.
• Strong report writing, presentation and documentation skills.
• Good understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and effectively use programme technology and management systems.
• Strong interpersonal, observation, counselling and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel independently for field visits and programme activities.

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing projects & teams.
• Experience working with government systems, educational institutions or child protection stakeholders.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis or programme reporting.
• Experience presenting to donors, corporates or external stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about transforming the lives of vulnerable children through education and child protection.
• Comfortable working both in communities and in management settings.
• Energetic, proactive and highly organised.
• A self-starter who takes ownership and initiative.
• A strong communicator and relationship builder.
• Values-driven with integrity and empathy.
• Solution-oriented and able to work in dynamic environments.
• Committed to continuous learning and growth.