Lead - Programs

Plastics For Change; Kolkata District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Plastics For Change seeks a seasoned Project Execution & Management professional to oversee the timely rollout and implementation of complex projects across India. You will tailor strategies, develop detailed implementation plans, and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with design and objectives.

The role emphasizes government and NGO partnerships, strong community engagement, and ongoing monitoring.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Social Work/ Rural Development/ Rural Management/ Social Sciences.
• 5+ years experience in program management in the social sector.
• Experience working with the informal sector workforce.
• Fluency in English, Bengali and Hindi.

Responsibilities

• Manage timely implementation of the project aligning with design.
• Develop detailed implementation plans and SOPs for smooth execution.
• Coordinate with functions for required support and coverage.
• Lead partnership development with government and other stakeholders.
• Promote community ownership and accountability for activities.
• Monitor field progress and support teams regularly.

Job description

PROJECT EXECUTION AND MANAGEMENT

• Manage timely roll out/implementation of the project. Ensure that implementation is in line with the project design


• Identify the needs to customize strategy, plans and approaches of the project to ensure achievement of project goal and objectives


• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans and support the project team in understanding and implementing the DIP


• Coordinate with other functions of the organization to seek necessary support for project execution


• Promote innovative approaches and interventions in the project


• Identify operational challenges in the project and ensure timely interventions and support to overcome the same in close coordination with project team and Central Office Team.


• Support development of Standard Operating Practices (SOPs) required for smooth implementation as per agreed timelines.


• Undertake regular field monitoring towards accomplishment of deliverables (approx. 70% time)


• Ensure Community ownership of project activities and strategies for sustainability.


• Understand Community aspirations and align project activities with the same.


• Leverage community’s strengths and institutions to support project and create ownership of the project activities.


• Build transparency and accountability of the project activities towards the impact population.

DEVELOP PARTNERSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS AND UNDERTAKEN ADVOCACY ON RELEVANT ISSUES

• Identify and build relationship at Community, Ward, District stakeholders in the private, government academic and NGO sectors to support partnership


• Create visibility of project and organization within government stakeholders - Understand stakeholder mandates and activities to leverage the same for project implementation.


• Represent the project and organization at various forums to nurture partnership - Represent the project in relevant committees and advocacy forums at district and state level


• Develop advocacy strategy and activities in consultation with technical team

BUILD SENSITIVE AND HIGH PERFORMING COHESIVE TEAM

• Organize orientation of project team on the project, their role, and responsibilities, - Supervise the project team and ensure necessary coordination, positive spirit, and support within the team


• Identify technical needs for capacity building of the staff


• Organize team capacity building program in consultation with technical team - Be familiar with the Performance Management System to have Annual KRA/ Individual Operating Plan established with direct reportee, conduct their mid-year reviews and annual appraisals.


• Mentor the project team with regular feedback, inputs, and support to make sure they remain highly motivated and high performing


• Provide support to regular support Team: Activity planning, monitoring, and program reviews


• Identify any conflict area, role clarity amongst team members and address them in timely manner

COORDINATE MONITORING, DOCUMENTATION, STUDIES, MIS BASED REPORT FOR DONOR REPORTING

• Support technical team in development of project related content in terms of sharing the project team, collaboration with project members


• Lead execution of project studies and documentation with support of technical team in timely manner


• Develop blogs, brief, and undertake photo documentation for creating visibility of the project

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure professionalism at all times and demonstrate exemplary prioritization of workload skills.


• Ensure that the PFC policies, SOPs and protocols are being adhered to at all levels of the organization.


• Ownership and co-ordination of collaborative team contact with stakeholders.


• Ensure strict adherence to data confidentiality and security.


• Willingness to travel frequently across India, sometimes at short notice, including other places as per need of project or organization.


• Work closely with the PFC team and partners.

Note: The roles and responsibilities outlined above are not meant to be an exhaustive list of tasks. Flexibility is required and the incumbent is expected to carry out any other related duties that are necessary for the optimum functioning of the company as a whole within the employee's skills and abilities whenever a need is pointed out, becomes apparent or as reasonably instructed.

Requirements

Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications-

• Postgraduate degree in Social Work/ Rural Development/ Rural Management/ Social Sciences,


• 5+ years experience in program management in the social sector.


• Experience working with the informal sector workforce.


• Good understanding of social and environmental concepts and methods.


• Experience of being part of any program/project management or field work would be an added advantage.


• Engagement, plastics recycling, and waste management will be helpful.


• Fluency in English, Bengali and Hindi languages.

Skills-

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work.


• Project and fund management skills.


• Be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the sector.


• Ability to develop good relationships with stakeholders.


• Has excellent interpersonal skills and is able to understand individual's motivations


• Open to new challenges.


• Good data management, documentation and reporting skills.


• Good computer skills – MS Office and Working on CRM tools.


• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise tasks.


• Eye for detail.


• Able to learn new systems, methods, processes and procedures.
  
• Able to meet deadlines and produce quality outputs.


• Proactive and self-motivated.


• Humility, honesty, transparency, integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Compensation

As per industry standards.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ well-being and growth, including an attractive salary, Provident Fund (PF) for financial security, performance-based incentives, comprehensive health and accidental insurance coverage, and strong career growth opportunities.


• Employees benefit from continuous learning and development through training programs, a healthy work-life balance with flexible policies, and generous paid time off including leave and holidays.


• Additionally, we provide employee engagement activities, recognition programs to reward achievements, and access to wellness and support initiatives, ensuring a positive and rewarding work environment.