Head – Education & Knowledge Management - NEG-FIRE

About Us
New Education Group - Foundation for Innovation and Research in Education,(NEG-FIRE) is a non-profit, non-sectarian, national level NGO, promoting quality education for marginalized communities through NGO’s across India. Though in existence as NEG for over a decade, NEG-FIRE today, is new entity with legal status and with an expanded mandate of Partnership promotion, Facilitation, Research and Advocacy. It looks forward to a team to steer ahead with its revised goals and objectives.

Position: Head – Education & Knowledge Management (EKM)

Location: New Delhi

Reporting To: Executive Director

Role summary:

The Head – Education & Knowledge Management (EKM) will lead team of professionals in developing strategies to integrate knowledge management into programs funded by NEG-FIRE. The role includes leading field-based & policy research, content development that promotes contextualized early childhood and primary education for the marginalized children to access their entitlements. Ensuring NEG-FIRE program results and experiences are analysed and knowledge products such as Issues/ Policy papers are prepared and used for contextualised learning advocacy and resource mobilization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research and Knowledge Management:

• Use research, evaluation and problem solving skills to develop and manage research projects, identify and capture key learning’s and impact and help in-house staff interpret and use data to make the continued case for expanding quality monitoring for effective community engagement and behavioral change.
• Oversee the development and implementation of Program Communications strategy to proactively communicate NEG-FIRE’s program work and learning’s to partners, globally and the development sector in India.
• Ensure that experiences, best-practices and innovations in all programs are shared internally and externally and to make NEG-FIRE a learning organization.
• Strategically guide the brand-building of NEG-FIRE through various communication media to ensure visibility and credibility of the organization
• Develop and maintain research database that may be utilized to develop and review curriculum.
• Evaluate and develop knowledge systems and processes that are cost effective and meet the needs of NEG-FIRE

Advocacy and Resource Mobilization:

• Undertake strategic level engagement and lobbying with decision makers and civil society on key policies/programs and schemes on education
• Strengthening the Edu-volunteers, NEG-FIRE project staff members to write blogs, articles, research paper.
• Developing policy proposals and advocating them individually and in conjunction with allies;
• Identify funding sources and write funding proposals in collaboration with the Executive Director

Content Development:

• To assess the learning barriers among NEG-FIRE project participants ( pre-school and primary school children) and develop appropriate teaching-learning materials
• To assess traditional learning strategies among tribal and marginalized communities and develop appropriate process and materials (art, aesthetics, culture etc.) that promotes learning

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS:

Demonstrated commitment to social justice and to the mission of the organisation, high professional ethical standards is required.
• Post Graduate degree in Social Sciences or any other equivalent field. Advanced coursework in qualitative and quantitative research methods preferred.
• 10-12 years of experience of working in the socio-development sector with minimum 4 – 6 years in the senior management role.
• Proven ability / expertise and experience in implementing quality programs and demonstrated ability in other areas like Advocacy / Result Based Management / Monitoring & Evaluation / Education.
• Knowledge of the social reality (with special reference to education), its causes and implications in the area of operations
• Ability to challenge and debate issues of importance to the organization.
• Ability to look at situations from several points of view
• Ability to carry out regular assessments and studies on emerging issues in the area of operations
• Ability to analyse and design interventions that address specific aspects of change in the area of operations
• Knowledge and practice of HR management practices.
• Knowledge of other stakeholders and likeminded organisations and their focus areas for interventions
• Ability to find opportunities to leverage the strengths of other likeminded organisations and work constructively in addressing specific issues
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work on multiple projects simultaneously
• A strong critical thinker who can lead research strategy and tactically manage plans

Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing staff team and contributing to strategic thinking of the organization

• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a pressurised environment
• Management and leadership knowledge and experience
• Organisational and leadership skills
• Delegate responsibilities effectively
• Knowledge of business and management principles
• Coordinating activities and resources (including performance management)
• A ‘hands-on’ management style
• A penchant for being proactive
• Knowledge of organizational documents like Good Governance Policy, vision and mission, strategy document etc.

Interpersonal and Communication:

• Strong interpersonal skills for influencing partners and other stakeholders in adopting and adhering to NEG-FIRE program quality standards
• Ability to articulate communications clearly and present the same concisely in a polite and firm manner.
• Ability to articulate and compile reports clearly and present the same concisely.
• Ability to facilitate group processes to achieve desired results
• Ability to engage others constructively and leverage individual skills for achieving group objectives.

Travel Requirements: The job holder should be willing to travel extensively for program / project related activities.

How to Apply:

NEG-FIRE is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women candidates are encouraged to apply. The position carries an attractive salary package to commensurate with skills and experience plus provides social security benefits and opportunities for training and development.

Interested candidates may apply with a detailed CV, two references, Current Salary drawn and notice period to hradmin@negfire.org. The last date for sending applications is March 17, 2014. Please mention the post applied for in the subject of your email. Only short listed candidates will be intimated. To know more about the organization, please visit our website: www.negfire.org