Program Manager

QuestAlliance; Khordha; On-site; INR 837,000 - 1,004,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Alliance is seeking a Program Manager to support the State Lead in Odisha, translating strategy into actionable district plans and ensuring high-quality implementation. This role involves coordinating with state, district teams, CSOs and government partners to drive scale and sustainable ownership of the program.

The candidate should have 7–8 years of experience in education programs, strong facilitation skills and the ability to work across government ecosystems, with travel across Odisha

Qualifications

• 7–8 years of relevant experience in implementing and managing education programs.
• Experience with multi-district programs and field teams.
• Understanding of blended learning, digital literacy, computational thinking and life skills.
• Experience facilitating trainings, workshops and reviews with teachers and government officials.
• Experience working with state/district government systems and education departments.

Responsibilities

• Translate state strategy into annual and quarterly plans across districts.
• Support program planning, concept notes, and proposals.
• Coordinate timely implementation and field plans with district teams.
• Conduct regular field visits and provide on-ground support.
• Facilitate trainings, review meetings and planning with teachers and officials.
• Document implementation learnings and ensure program dashboards.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Blended learning

Digital literacy

Facilitation

Government liaison

Multi-district leadership

Travel readiness

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Role Purpose

The Program Manager will support the State Lead in the effective implementation and scale-up of Quest Alliance’s education program in Odisha. The role will work closely with the state and district teams to translate the state strategy into actionable plans, ensure quality implementation across districts, and strengthen engagement with government and implementation partners. The role will support program planning, capacity building, monitoring and review processes, government coordination, documentation and team development. The Program Manager will also contribute to strengthening the integration of future skills, including digital, computational and life and career skills, within the government school ecosystem. The role will work closely with state and district government stakeholders, CSOs and other partners to ensure timely implementation, resolve operational challenges and contribute to building sustainable government ownership of the program.

Role Description

1. Strategic Support and Program Planning

• Support the State Lead in translating the Odisha state strategy into annual and quarterly implementation plans across districts.
• Contribute to the development of program strategies, work plans, concept notes, presentations and proposals based on emerging needs and opportunities in Odisha.
• Support alignment of program plans with state education priorities, government frameworks and relevant policy directions, including NEP and the State Curriculum Framework.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, convergence and scale within the education ecosystem.
• Contribute to strengthening CSO and partner engagement strategies in consultation with the State Lead.

2. Program Implementation and Operational Planning

• Coordinate and support timely implementation of program plans across districts, ensuring agreed deliverables and milestones are met.
• Work closely with Coordinators and district teams to develop field plans and ensure effective execution.
• Undertake regular field visits to understand implementation realities, provide on-ground support and strengthen the quality of program delivery.
• Support and, where required, facilitate trainings, workshops, review meetings and planning processes with teachers, government officials and field teams.
• Support the team in identifying implementation challenges and developing practical solutions and innovations.
• Ensure that program approaches and resources are contextualised to the needs of districts and government schools in Odisha.
• Work with relevant state teams to strengthen the integration of digital, computational, life and career skills and other program themes within the school ecosystem.

3. Program Monitoring, Data and Reviews

• Ensure that program implementation, field visits, achievements and challenges are appropriately documented in monitoring systems.
• Support the team to regularly analyse program data and use evidence to inform planning and implementation decisions.
• Facilitate monthly and quarterly reviews with district teams and support the State Lead in state-level reviews.
• Track progress against program milestones, identify gaps and follow up on agreed actions.
• Support the preparation of program dashboards, updates and analysis for internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to identifying trends, learnings and evidence from implementation that can inform program strategy and government engagement.

4. Government and Partner Engagement

• Support the State Lead in maintaining effective relationships with state and district government stakeholders.
• Manage regular coordination with identified government POCs to facilitate approvals, reviews, reporting and implementation requirements.
• Coordinate with relevant government departments like School & Mass Education Department, Pancha Sikhya Setu Sangathan, OSEPA, Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, Skill Development & Technical Education Department and district officials to support program implementation and capacity-building initiatives.
• Support preparation and participation in government reviews, workshops, consultations and relevant forums.
• Ensure that government stakeholders are regularly updated on program progress, achievements and emerging issues.
• Identify opportunities for convergence with government initiatives and other organisations working in the education ecosystem.
• Support identification of relevant CSOs and potential partners at the district level and explore opportunities for collaboration.

5. Reporting, Documentation and Budget Support

• Ensure timely submission of program reports, case studies, success stories and other documentation as per organisational requirements.
• Support preparation of reports and program updates for government, donors and internal stakeholders.
• Capture and document implementation learnings, innovations and evidence from the field.
• Support state-level budget planning, expenditure tracking and periodic review of budget utilisation.
• Ensure that program expenditure is aligned with approved plans and organisational processes.
• Support the State Lead and relevant teams in providing timely financial and program information.

6. Team Support and Development

• Provide regular guidance and support to Coordinators and district teams in planning, implementation and problem-solving.
• Support team members in setting clear objectives, tracking progress and identifying professional development needs.
• Mentor and coach team members to strengthen their program management and facilitation capabilities.
• Support capacity-building initiatives for the field team based on emerging needs.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination between the state and district teams.
• Promote a culture of reflection, learning, experimentation and accountability within the team.
• Support adherence to organisational policies, processes and standards.

Required Skills and Experience

• 7–8 years of relevant experience in implementing and managing education programs, preferably within government secondary and higher-secondary school systems.
• Experience of managing multi-district programs and working with field teams.
• Understanding of blended learning, digital literacy, computational thinking/coding, STEM and/or life and career skills for school students.
• Experience of facilitating training, workshops and review processes with teachers, government officials and other education stakeholders.
• Experience working with state and district government systems and education departments.
• Strong understanding of the Indian education ecosystem, with knowledge of NEP and the Odisha education context preferred.
• Ability to use program data and evidence to inform planning, reviews and decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, written and verbal communication skills in English and Odia.
• Strong documentation, presentation and IT skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple workstreams while working collaboratively with state and district teams.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Odisha.
• Ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders and navigate complex implementation environments.

Salary:

The pay band for the position starts at Rs. 75,000/- per month (cost to company). The salary offered will be commensurate with the experience and expertise of the candidate.

About Quest Alliance:

Quest Alliance prepares young learners in India with the skills, mindsets, and support systems they need to thrive in life, learning, and work.
A social impact organization with close to two decades of experience, Quest Alliance works at the intersection of technology and future skills to make learning more equitable and relevant, especially for socially and economically vulnerable learners.
The organization influences systems to empower young learners in government high schools and trade and vocational institutes to holistically navigate their education to career transitions.
Quest Alliance works across 12 Indian states and is partnered with nine state governments, over 80 CSOs, national ministries, and funders. It has impacted 1.8 million young lives to date.
Learn More: Quest Alliance | LinkedIn | Youtube | Explore Career Pathways at Quest
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At Quest Alliance, we pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunities employer, embracing applications from all segments of the community. We are committed to ensuring that every applicant and employee is treated with fairness and respect, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, religious belief, age, or any other factor that is irrelevant to performance. Your individuality is valued and respected within our organization.