Program Coordinator

Quest Alliance; Khordha; On-site; INR 4,50,000 - 6,75,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization is seeking a Senior Coordinator for its Schools Program in Odisha. The successful candidate will lead program implementation, strengthen partnerships, and engage with stakeholders. Requires a Master's degree and 7–9 years of program management experience. The role involves overseeing a team, ensuring operational excellence, and driving innovation in education. Benefits include comprehensive insurance and support for personal learning.

Benefits

Comprehensive Personal Accident Insurance

Mediclaim Insurance

Reach for the Stars learning support

Internet allowance

Childcare support

Emotional health programs

Qualifications

• 7–9 years of relevant experience in program management, preferably in education.
• Strong understanding of coding, AI, and career readiness frameworks.
• Ability to manage multi-level teams and lead state-level programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the schools program across the state.
• Develop annual state operational plans and ensure accountability.
• Cultivate partnerships with government and civil society organizations.

Skills

Program management

Computational thinking

Technical expertise in emerging technologies

Stakeholder engagement

Excellent communication

Education

Master's degree in Education or related field

Job description

This collaboration has been instrumental in mainstreaming computational thinking as both a subject and club activity across all secondary schools in the state.

• The Coordinator Schools Program will lead Quest Alliance's work in Odisha, ensuring the successful implementation of the programme, strengthening partnerships with government and civil society, and positioning Quest as a key knowledge partner in the state.
• The role demands strong program leadership, technical expertise in emerging technologies (coding, AI, career pathways), and the ability to influence systemic adoption of innovative pedagogical approaches.
• This role is senior to the Senior Program Officer and carries accountability for state‑wide program delivery, strategy, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership

• Lead the implementation of the schools program across the state, ensuring alignment with national/state education priorities and Quest's strategic vision.
• Develop annual state operational plans and drive accountability for their execution across districts.
• Shape district engagement strategies to institutionalize data‑driven planning and review with district officials.
• Identify opportunities for scaling innovations such as AI‑enabled learning, coding interventions, and career readiness frameworks.
• Represent Quest Alliance in state‑level review meetings, working groups, and high‑level consultations with government and partners.

Ecosystem Strengthening & Partnerships

• Cultivate and manage partnerships with government departments, civil society organizations, and social entrepreneurs to expand program reach and sustainability.
• Identify and build synergies with CSOs working across districts for collaborative implementation.
• Serve as the primary state‑level liaison between Quest Alliance and the Department of School and Mass Education, ensuring continuous alignment and advocacy.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Provide leadership and mentoring to a team of Senior Program Officers, Program Associates, and other staff working across districts.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.
• Drive recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes for team members.
• Facilitate professional development opportunities and exposure for the team to strengthen technical and leadership skills.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Ensure robust data systems are in place and utilized for program decision‑making.
• Collaborate with the M&E team to track progress against log frames, indicators, and outcomes.
• Oversee documentation of program processes, case studies, and impact stories that demonstrate program outcomes and systemic influence.
• Contribute evidence and insights for donor reporting, policy advocacy, and knowledge dissemination.

Required Qualifications & Competencies

• Master's degree in Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related field.
• 7–9 years of relevant experience in program management, preferably in the education/ed‑tech ecosystem.
• Strong understanding of computational thinking, coding, AI, and future career readiness frameworks.
• Comfort with technology‑enabled learning programs and demonstrated ability to deliver operational excellence at scale. Proven ability to engage with state and district government systems, influence policy adoption, and manage complex partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multi‑level teams and leading state‑level programs.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and strategic planning skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively across districts.

Benefits

In addition to your compensation, you are also eligible for a suite of benefits designed to support your well‑being and growth:

• Comprehensive Personal Accident Insurance covering up to 10,00,000 annually
• Mediclaim Insurance covering up to 3,00,000 annually, supported through our insurance partner, Loop, which also offers additional wellness benefits
• Reach for the Stars (RFS) amount of up to 5,000 to support your self‑learning and knowledge‑building efforts
• Internet allowance of up to 750/month, reimbursable based on actual usage to support flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• For employees with children under the age of 6 years, Quest offers childcare or day care fee support through a monthly matching contribution of up to 3,000, helping you create a supportive work‑life balance
• Access to emotional health and wellbeing programs such as:
• • Group sessions worth 7,500 per session fully covered by the organisation
• • 1:1 counselling sessions (worth 1,800 per session), fully covered by the organisation