Lead- Programme Operations

Transform Schools; New Delhi; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Transform Schools, a mission-driven NGO, seeks a senior leader to translate goals into state-level programme plans and oversee budgeting, delivery, and quality across initiatives. You will drive data-driven decisions with MERL, engage donors and government stakeholders, and lead cross-functional teams to scale impact in education.

You will manage large budgets, supervise staff, and foster a culture of learning and accountability, ensuring alignment with SDG goals and national priorities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in NGO/program operations with leadership exposure.
• Strong budgeting, planning, and financial accountability skills.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and impact measurement frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Translate organisational goals into state-level programme implementation plans.
• Lead strategic pilots and co-design of pilot strategies.
• Oversee budgeting, timelines, and delivery of programmes.
• Engage donors and government stakeholders for alignment and resources.
• Drive data-driven decision-making with MERL teams.
• Ensure quality assurance and learning across programmes.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Program design

MERL understanding

Team management

Education

Master’s degree in Education/Development/Public Policy

Job description

Transform Schools is working to ensure that every child realises their full potential in school and beyond. Anchored in India’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 5, and 10), our mission is to improve learning outcomes, gender equity, and life opportunities for secondary-grade students aged 13–18.

We co-design and implement evidence-based education programmes with State governments, with a focus on strengthening foundational learning, building equitable learning environments, and preparing students for transitions beyond school. Our work combines pedagogical innovation, teacher development, data-driven instruction, and systemic reform to ensure every adolescent—especially those from underserved communities—can thrive. As co-convenors of the State of Secondary Education (SOSE) global collaborative, we are also shaping a global agenda to position secondary education as a societal minimum standard—mobilising research, investment, and practice across the Global South.

Our work spans two institutional vehicles: People For Action, a charitable society that delivers CSR and grant-funded programmes, and The Transform Trust, which leads outcomes-linked engagements.

With a strong footprint across multiple States (Definite plans of expansion in deepening of our work) and a commitment to scale, we aim to reach 30 million children by 2030, building a future where quality secondary education is a reality for all.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the translation of organisational goals into actionable, state-specific programme implementation plans that balance strategic intent with contextual responsiveness.
• Lead strategic, innovation pilots with ownership across design, delivery, and learning, positioning them as testbeds for future scalable programmes.
• Co-Design pilot strategies aligned with Transform’s mission and emerging priorities, including theory of change, objectives, and implementation models.
• Drive programme efficiency and effectiveness by providing oversight to development of implementation plans, setting clear milestones, and ensuring delivery within agreed timelines.
• Oversee end-to-end execution from budgeting, team readiness, and rollout to adaptive implementation on the ground.
• Serve as the first point of resolution for field-level escalations; elevate key strategic, financial, or political risks to senior leadership as required.

2. Financial Oversight & Budget Management

• Drive strategic budgeting across all programmes ensuring that cost structures align with scale, sustainability, and donor expectations.
• Lead quarterly financial performance reviews with Finance and State Heads, analysing trends and implementing corrective measures proactively.
• Ensure timely vendor payments by preparing and monitoring contracts, terms of reference (TORs), and financial adherence.
• Submit comprehensive and accurate budget reports to senior leadership and donors.

3. Programme Monitoring and Quality Assurance

• Work with the MERL team to define programme success indicators and ensure data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure timely data collection and analysis across state teams to track programme impact.
• Integrate quality assurance mechanisms into programme implementation, ensuring adherence to education standards and best practices.
• Establish and implement processes to assess the effectiveness of quality assurance frameworks.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to conduct periodic programme reviews and integrate findings into programme improvements.
• Monitor pilot progress through real-time data and learning loops; surface challenges and insights for course correction

4. Multi Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Engage with donors, district level government stakeholders, and internal teams to secure buy-in, resources, and operational alignment.
• Plan and conduct targeted capacity building on programme operations, reporting, planning, financial tracking, and government engagement.
• Synthesize findings into compelling reports and decks to inform scale decisions, donor stewardship, and policy advocacy.
• Create knowledge-sharing forums and internal learning spaces to strengthen cohesion, institutional memory, and implementation excellence.

Education

Education:Master’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field.

Experience

• Master’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in program operations within an NGO or development sector, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, program implementation, and team management.
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and impact measurement frameworks.
• Experience in managing large budgets and ensuring financial accountability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and complex environment with multiple priorities.

Transform Schools, People For Action is an equal opportunity organisation. We welcome and encourage applications from all communities, including underrepresented groups, marginalised communities, and individuals from diverse backgrounds, regardless of race, caste, religion, gender, disability, or social status.