Project Manager – Foundational Learning – UP (DPMU)

Central Square Foundation; Uttar Pradesh; On-site; INR 750,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Square Foundation is seeking a Project Manager for the Foundational Learning - UP (DPMU) team to lead data systems development and district monitoring enhancements.

This role focuses on planning, field engagement, stakeholder coordination, and process improvement to support NIPUN Bharat Mission goals at the district level.

Qualifications

• Strong project management skills with planning, budgeting, risk mgmt, and resource allocation.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and people mgmt capabilities.
• Proven ability to drive execution across multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Proven technical skills in organising Microsoft Office and Google Suite information and data.
• Derive insights from large datasets to inform district-level decisions.
• Adaptability, strategic thinking, and problem-solving for dynamic district challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets for initiatives.
• Coordinate activities across multiple work streams aligning with district education priorities and CSF objectives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks, ensuring proactive issue resolution.
• Conduct targeted field visits to gather insights and gauge training impact at various levels.
• Lead joint visits with district cadres to build capacity and local ownership.
• Build relationships with district and block officials to facilitate operations and problem solving.
• Seek opportunities to optimise processes and contribute to strategic planning with field insights.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Execution leadership

Data organisation

Data-driven decision making

Problem solving

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

About the job Project Manager, Foundational Learning - UP (DPMU)

Team: Foundational Learning - UP (DPMU)

Role: Project Manager

Required work experience: 2-4 years of experience

Location: a district in Uttar Pradesh

About Central Square Foundation (CSF)

Established in 2012, Central Square Foundation (CSF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing the learning outcomes of all school going children across India through system-led reforms. Our initiatives span innovation and policy to practice and focus on learning impact at scale. At the heart of CSF's mission is our strategic focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), which drives our collaborative efforts with 11 state governments to design and execute statewide FLN Missions. Additionally, we prioritise EdTech integration, aiming to deploy digital solutions for in-class and at-home learning and establish evidence-based practices while harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to augment learning outcomes. CSF is deeply committed to Early Childhood Education (ECE) reforms, recognising the critical role it plays in laying a strong groundwork for children's learning journey, thereby augmenting FLN outcomes. CSF also works in the area of School Governance, extending its system-level approach to children in both private and government schools, to strengthen the country's education landscape.

About The Foundational Learning - UP (DPMU) Team

The Foundational Learning - UP (DPMU) Team aims to drive deeper implementation of the NIPUN Bharat Mission at the district-level. The project integrates key academic strategies within broader governance reforms to create a seamless, systemic chain from district planning to classroom execution ensuring improved FLN delivery and enhanced student learning outcomes.

Position Summary

The Project Manager will lead the development and adoption of data systems to strengthen the district's monitoring practices and processes. The key responsibilities are as follows:

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets to ensure timely and cost-effective execution of initiatives.
• Coordinate activities across multiple work streams, ensuring alignment with district education priorities and CSFs strategic objectives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks, ensuring proactive issue resolution.

Field Engagement & Capacity Building

• Conduct targeted field visits to gather operational and academic insights, understand the effects of training observations, and gauge the impact of Mission at a block, school and classroom level.
• Lead joint visits with district cadres to build capacity and foster local ownership of project initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Coordination

• Build and nurture relationships with key district and block-level officials including Basic Shiksha Adhikari, DIET Principal, Block Education Officer (BEO), DC-Training, SRGs, and ARPs to facilitate smooth project operations and collaborative problem solving.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Continuously seek opportunities to optimise project processes, leveraging best practices in project management and technology.
• Contribute to strategic planning by sharing field insights and recommending scalable solutions for systemic reform.

Skills And Qualifications

• Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, risk management, and resource allocation.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and people management capabilities.
• Proven ability to drive execution across multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Proven technical skills in organising Microsoft Office and Google Suite information and data.
• Derive insights from large datasets for informing data-driven decision-making at the district level.
• Adaptability, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills to navigate dynamic district-level challenges.

Prior hands-on experience in the Indian education sector is preferred.

Compensation

Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy pay scales and will depend upon the candidates experience levels.