Programs Lead (SOAR)

NagaEd; Kohima; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education reform organization is seeking a Programs Lead in Kohima, Nagaland to implement state-wide initiatives for education reform. This hands-on role involves managing timelines and fostering collaboration among stakeholders while ensuring high-quality delivery of program milestones. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in program management and a robust understanding of the education landscape in North East India.

Qualifications

• 7 years of program or project management experience, with exposure to large-scale education reforms.
• Proven experience in leading implementation teams and managing complex projects.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive planning and execution of education reform activities across districts.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Department of School Education.
• Manage logistics and documentation for governance structures.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Government liaison

Communication skills

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Digital project management tools

Job description

As the Programs Lead for Mission SOAR Nagaland, you will anchor the implementation of state-wide education reform initiatives, acting as a critical bridge between policy vision and execution. Operating within Elevate Foundation, the coordination body for Mission SOAR, your role is to ensure seamless program execution by aligning government priorities, ecosystem partner deliverables, and ground-level implementation. You will lead district workstreams, manage timelines and outcomes, and foster alignment across departments, partners, and governance bodies. This role requires a hands-on leader with experience in program management, government liaison, and stakeholder engagement in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Organisational Unit Function

• Drive planning, execution, and monitoring of education reform activities across districts and departments.
• Supervise and coach Education Officers to ensure timely, high-quality delivery of
  program milestones.

2. Coordinate with Government and Partners

• Serve as the primary liaison with the Department of School Education (DSE) and district officials to align on policy and implementation priorities.
• Facilitate coordination with ecosystem partners to align timelines, outputs, and contextual relevance.

3. Support Governance and Reporting

• Manage logistics and documentation for SOAR governance structures including Steering Committees and Working Groups.
• Prepare and present concise project updates, reports, and materials for stakeholders and decision-makers.

4. Monitor Performance and Enable Continuous Improvement

• Track project KPIs, timelines, and quality of execution; identify and address bottlenecks or risks.
• Capture learnings and best practices to inform adaptive program management.

5. Internal Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Facilitate regular team check-ins, reviews, and performance reflection sessions.
• Foster a high-performing team culture aligned with SOAR’s mission and values.
• Identify team capacity gaps and coordinate with internal or partner organisations for training, mentorship, or additional support.

Reporting Relationships

This role reports directly to the Director, Elevate Foundation. The role also collaborates closely with government stakeholders and ecosystem partners.

Communications (Internal/External)

Who

Why

Director, Elevate Foundation Report to and receive strategic guidance

Government Officials (DoSE, SCERT, etc.) Liaise for coordination, buy-in, and approvals

Education Officers & Program Teams Coach, supervise, and align with project deliverables

Ecosystem Partners Collaborate on cross-functional implementation tasks

Administrative & M&E Teams Align on tracking, budgeting, and reporting

Selection Criteria

• 7 years of program or project management experience, with exposure to large-scale state or national education reforms.
• Proven experience in leading implementation teams and managing complex projects.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor project milestones and troubleshoot operational challenges.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, especially with government officials.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and support decision-making.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments with minimal supervision.
• Experience in working with or within state education departments.
• Familiarity with digital project management and reporting tools.
• Understanding of the education landscape in North East India.