Project Manager - Aga Khan Foundation

AGA KHAN FOUNDATION

POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER

LOCATION: Hyderabad

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR PROGRAMMES

LAST DATE: 22 MARCH, 2014

Background

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational development agency established by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1967. The Foundation seeks sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life of poor and marginalized communities through participatory, community-based approaches that reinforce civil society and respect local culture. In India, AKF works in Education, Health, Rural Development and Conservation of Historic and Cultural Resources.

The Aga Khan Foundation, India (AKF, I), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), along with its partners, support early childhood and school education interventions as part of AKDN programmes in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

AKDN has maintained a long presence in Hyderabad. Aga Khan Education Services, India (AKES, I) runs schools in Hyderabad, Warangal and Adilabad. AKF, I and its partners implemented a Programme for Enrichment of School Level Education (PESLE, 1997-2007). The Aga Khan Academy, Hyderabad also established an international school in 2010 and implements government school outreach programmes. Finally, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has just begun an integrated conservation and landscape restoration project at the Quli Qutb Shah Tomb complex in Hyderabad.

As part of its education programmes, AKF, I along with its partner agencies AKA, H and Mahita will soon begin implementation of the project, “Enabling Secondary Education and Employability for Out-of-School Adolescents in Minority Slums of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India”. This project is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as well as the Human Dignity Foundation under their global Partnership to Strengthen Innovation and Practice in Secondary Education (PSIPSE) programme.

Project: Enabling Secondary Education and Employability for Out-of-School Adolescents in Minority Slums of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

The goal of this project is to test, prove, and demonstrate a viable and scalable model for out-of-school adolescents in a minority low-income setting (with proportional focus on girls) to acquire secondary level certification along with employable soft and hard skills, which will enhance their access to more productive and remunerative employment opportunities. The project will demonstrate an innovative convergence model of public-private-community partnerships for sustainability and scalability, which will be vested in community ownership, private sector demand, and mainstream government programmes.
The pilot will provide 3,200 out-of-school adolescents (15-18 years of age) with scholastic support as well as non-cognitive and vocational skills to prepare them to meet the challenges of adulthood. An additional 1,800 children between the ages of 17-23 years, who have already completed secondary certification, will receive vocational education, out of which at least 1,250 will be placed in formal employment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead project team in the State; develop project team’s capacity and maintain high levels of quality, productivity, motivation and focus.
2. Oversee programme implementation and provide strategic management, which includes problem solving to ensure course correction.
3. Be accountable for the progress of the project. Ensure project is implemented as per annual work plans & budgets, with a specific focus on quality performance and timeliness.
4. Prepare and maintain field data and monthly reports about project progress and other key developments.
5. Coordinate visits from donors and other partners/stakeholders of the project.
6. Coordinate all state-level project resources, including those of implementing partners.
7. Ensure proper documentation and dissemination of lessons learnt; work closely with technical partner and other technical experts/consultants to facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate project-based strategies and relevant materials.
8. Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Programme Officer to manage the development and implementation of appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems for the project.
9. Drive all project based advocacy initiatives at the state level to promote evidence-based policy influence through substantive analysis of the project.
10. Develop strategic partnerships with other stakeholders i.e. local communities, potential employers, development agencies, government agencies and civil society organizations working in similar areas of interest.
11. Represent the organization and the project at relevant policy forums, networks and events nationally.
12. Coordinate to ensure timely preparation and submission of narrative and financial reports and budgets to the AKF, I senior management and donor.
13. Excellent interpersonal skills for networking and relationship management with AKDN agencies and external partners
14. Explore and identify opportunities for education and other interventions in Hyderabad
15. Any other responsibilities assigned by CEO as per organizational requirements.

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in social work or social sciences/education with at least 8 years of experience in the education field.
• Experience of working with education systems in urban area is preferred. Relevant experience in secondary education and/or vocational education would be an added advantage.
• Strong communication skills in both written and verbal in English. Similar proficiency in either Hindi, Urdu or Telugu is required.

TO APPLY
Please send your application with a cover letter and updated CV at akfrecruit.2014@gmail.com by Saturday, 22 March, 2014. An indication of your present and expected salary is mandatory. Salary for the positions will be competitive.

The Aga Khan Development Network is an international group of private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. Visit us at www.akdn.org