Job Description

ROLE SUMMARY:

CARITAS India is implementing a five-year project in 165 villages of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh which aims to enhance livelihood income of communities for the dignified life.

Program Associate is entrusted with day-today work of the Gram Nirman project, in accordance with Caritas India’s objectives, policies and procedures. S/he will be solely responsible to start and take off for the entire gamut of different thematic components under Gram Nirman project in the assigned districts. S/he will develop and maintain procedures and systems that monitor the activities and outcomes of the project within specified time frames.

Program Associate will take overall leadership in the cluster (2-3 districts) and ensure the implementation of the activities as per plan. S/he will be directly responsible for the team of 10-12 community educators assigned for each village and for the capacity building and mentorship of the volunteers’ cadre. The Program Associate is responsible for relationship building with the community, line departments and like minded NGOs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

 Lead and support –

• Ensure that program activities are implemented as per the plan, within the budget, timeline targets and in line with the quality standards of the Caritas India program.
• Support and carry out operational work in program implementation on a day-to-day basis.
• Make short-term plans for effective coordination of the program activities in the respective region in consultation with the line manager.
• Support program Lead in designing program strategy and creating an action plan with specific inputs from the cluster.
• Coordinate with the community educators and ensure the complete cluster-level implementation process.
• Coordinate with the state program associate to conduct state-level program meetings and workshops.
• Submit to the Program Lead, timely information of the analysis and evaluation of the progress and results of the program in the cluster.
• Conduct working visits to the field areas within the cluster in consultation with the Program lead and compile qualitative field visit reports.
• Organize monthly review meetings and quarterly meetings with community educators to update and improve the program quality.
• Assist program lead in preparation of the program design, proposals etc…
• Represent Organization overview in presentations to educators and community groups.
• Provide assistance in planning and arrangement of trainings, and meetings in the community level.
• Maintain routine correspondence with Program finance associate and program HR.
• May assist in developing and coordinating program-related conferences, conventions, or meetings.
• Responsible for budget management as per the allocation for each activity in the cluster

• Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfil the objectives of the organization.

Documentation and reporting –

• Maintain documentation, such as plans and reports, assigning tasks and controlling schedules to Community Educators & Volunteers as per required formats and timelines.
• Maintain cluster level program documents in the field office.
• Ensure all the relevant data is available and submitted on time.
• Ensure the program process is documented and enough case studies are in place to show the impact or progress of the program.

• Ensure that the data is analysed and feeds into the planning and review meeting.

 

Concept/Proposal –

• Identification of needs and providing technical expertise to partners and Caritas India direct implementation program
• Accompaniment to partners and regular visits to direct intervention project locations to provide feedback for timely corrective measures.

 Capacity Building –

• Train and coach, the community educators in the cluster based on results-oriented program approach.
• Identify the gaps in the operational capabilities of community educators and plan for their capacity development in discussion with the line manager.
• Ensure that the team works together to share learning and to exchange skills.

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and effective knowledge management within the team to ensure smooth program delivery.

 PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Promotes good co- operation with the Caritas India partners in the cluster.

• Identify the issues in the project areas, discuss and help concerned Caritas India partners to prepare concept notes in consultation with the state program associate as per the requirement.

 

• NETWORK, STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT/LINKAGES & CI VISIBILITY

• Facilitate in the communication of the program progress to concerned team members and other cluster level stakeholders.
• As a representative of Caritas India in the region, maintain good contacts with relevant authorities and other organizations in the region.
• Identify and facilitate potential local donors from the area in consultation with the line manager.

• Ensure timely meetings with relevant government departments to effectively manage the project activities.

 

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

• Conceptualize innovative ideas and formulate concept notes, proposals from field learning and insight and tap for funding and other inputs.
• Identify and document as knowledge products emerging from the programs of Caritas India and her partners in the form of case stories, best practices, reports, presentations, photos, videos, government letters, event reports, IEC materials, etc
• Conduct knowledge exchange moments with stakeholders, Caritas India staff, Partners, local governance, community, district, state government & Donors to ensure learning and know-hows among all.
• Conduct research for upgrading, developing, and synthesizing models which could be replicated.

 

STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES

• Accountable for effective usage and management of all the resources and assets of Caritas India and Gram Nirman program
• Ensuring Caritas India resources are utilized optimally and effectively by partners and program teams.
• Maintain and update all registers and imprest account and other financial documents on regular basis and share with Caritas India Head office as and when required.
• Perform in such a way that partners actively seek Caritas India officer’s expertise beyond Caritas India projects.

 WORKING RELATIONSHIP

Internal:

• Field Program Implementation Lead cum Tribal Outreach Lead – for all strategic and operational inputs on the program
• Manager Program Finance – support in maintaining and tracking the fund flow.
• Lead HR – assistance in identifying capacity building needs, creation of internal bonding within the team.
• Community Educators – in getting the first-hand experience and knowledge right from the field for strengthening the project.

External:

• With volunteers, stakeholders engaged under this program.
• Government and Non-Government institution to leverage the available resources.
• Like minded NGOs for knowledge exchanges

 PROFESSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

 Knowledge 

• Knowledge of the social reality, socio-political context, its causes, and implications in the areas of operation
• Ability to put knowledge and principles into practice for effective program management in alignment with organizational values.
• Ability to carry out regular assessments and studies on emerging issues in operations.
• Ability to assess the need for organizational development interventions and facilitate the same Ability to analyze and design interventions that address specific aspects of change in operations.
• Knowledge about Government policies and programs, legislations, donor’s policies and standards and compliances for critically accessing the same in the area of operations.
• Knowledge of other stakeholders and like-minded organizations and their focus areas for interventions
• Ability to find opportunities to leverage the strengths of other like-minded organizations and work constructively in addressing specific issues.
• Ability to apply Caritas India program quality standards and RBM concepts and practices in program management processes and activities.

Skills

• Excellent presentation, public speaking, and interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Strong computer skills, with familiarity in using Microsoft Office suite applications.
• Leadership and effective team management skills
• Training and capacity building
• Ability to liaise, network and engage with stakeholders.
• Local partnering and external engagement along with cross-functional and cross-sector collaboration
• Decision making and conflict resolution.

Attitude

• Organized, team player, self-starter and results-oriented individual.
• Be gender sensitive with strong conviction and skills for the empowerment of excluded and disadvantaged children.
• Advocating, lobbying, communication and influencing on matters of program importance
• Ability to work and deliver in a highly demanding and performance-based project.
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
• Ability and willingness to work under pressure and flexible schedule.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or MSW/ MBA / PG Social Work/ Rural Development or equivalent; having 8-10 years of experience working at the grassroots in development projects.
• Experience in community developmental projects shall be an added value.
• Previous experience of leading state level multi stake holder project can be an advantage.
• Willing to travel to the project work areas.