Job Description:

At Quest Alliance we transform learning ecosystems through education technology, capacity building, and collaboration to build 21st-century skills for learners and facilitators
We are a not-for-profit trust that focuses on research-led innovation and advocacy in the field of teaching and learning. We engage with educators, civil society, government institutions and corporate organizations to demonstrate and enable scalable and replicable solutions in school education and vocational training

At Quest you will get the opportunity to apply your skills and contribute to addressing issues around quality education and skills training. The organization gives you the space to learn and grow in a fun and engaging environment.  We have an eclectic group of people working at Quest drawn from diverse disciplines including Education, Technology, Design, Youth Development and Business. 

ABOUT MyQuest: 

QUEST’s Employability (MyQuest) program’s objective is to provide a holistic development platform for young people as well as provide a lifelong, continuous learning opportunity to disadvantaged youth. The program seeks to work closely with NGOs, Colleges and I.T.Is and support them in adoption of blended learning approaches for their students. A “blended” learning approach which combines the use of digital lessons on the computer with classroom activities, workbooks and project based learning resulting in a more engaged learning process. Upon successfully completing the course, students will be equipped to seek jobs in the formal sector.

We are currently working in 10 states reaching out to students, Trainers in the Industrial training Institutes and Vocational training centres. This work is being delivered through a 80 member program team and 25 program implementation partners and we reach out to 60, 000 young people and over 400 ITIs each year. 

ABOUT THE ROLE: 

Youth program delivers innovative, demand driven and hi-tech employability program across 10 states  in India. We have over 12 donors funding the work. The youth program is broadly divided into three domains 1. Work with ITIs, 2. Work with VTIs and 3. Self Employment. The VTI and ITI work involves placement of the students. The A.D will provide strategic direction to the three domains  and to the Placement team to bring in the culture of innovation, learning and collaboration. They will work with  the domain leads to support, mentor and ensure quality in delivery. The success of the program is reliant upon effective strategy, programme management, implementation and quality donor project delivery  

1. Program Strategy Design and Development 

• Support the youth Program director in the design and development of the strategy 

• Using a consultative process, develop the strategy to work in the VTI and ITI ecosystem and to operationalise it, this will include alumni engagement.

• Collaborate with the internal stakeholders such as the capacity building team, the regional team to ensure successful implementation 

• Work with the placement team and the self employment team to develop and execute the career pathway strategy and self employment strategy 

2.  Project Performance Management 

• Ensure the donor projects are managed effectively ,  ensuring key performance and quality indicators are achieved through the mentoring of team 

• Ensure each of the team have their annual plan and quarterly milestones articulated and updated on the project management platform 

• Work with ITI

• Work with VTIs

• Self Employment 

• Placement and alumni engagement 

• Streamline process of review at multiple levels:

• Monthly check-ins with the team

• Level 2  reviews as per the organisation processes 

• Support the ITI/VTI leads in articulating strategies and implementing them to meet the program goals, driving greater decentralisation 

• Troubleshoot implementation issues in consultation with the Director youth programs 

• Work with the domain leads to develop program timelines, calendars to prioritise tasks and ensure timely implementation 

• Ensure that the budget for Program implementation is being utilised as per plan 

• Make field visits to take stock of quality of implementation and to support teams 

• Ensure the donor budgets are utilized as per plans and the donor deliverables are met. 

• Have timely communication with the donor and Business Development team to maintain transparency 

3.  Strategic Result 

• Oversee the implementation, monitoring and review of strategy, with value-add and impact in mind

• Be the point of contact for the monitoring team to develop relevant monitoring tools, systems and dashboards 

• Ensure all the program database are easily accessible for easy reference 

• Provide oversight for the team in the development of its programmatic and financial planning for the years ahead as per the strategies 

4. Team Management 

• Facilitate decision making and internal team coordination by helping prioritise and balance multiple requirements 

•  line manage and support the professional development of the Managers in support of high performance against performance objectives, and through them will ensure strong employee development and performance of the team managed

• Translate strategic priorities into clear outcome focussed objectives for managers and provide energy and drive in achievement of the objectives. 

• Create and foster a strong, values driven organisational culture of shared learning, co-operation, commitment to improvement, and high performance

5. Donor Management 

6. Strategic Partnerships - Internal &/ External

• Develop, maintain and manage different stakeholders relationship at Institution,  state, and national level with Government, Nonprofits, Industries  and with thought leaders 

• Develop and ensure ongoing management of partnerships with subject matter experts or think tanks and third parties 

• Be the focal point for the area of work

• Represent Quest Alliance in local, state and regional forums and platforms on employability and youth  

• Be part of Sector facing Working Group and other relevant networks 

• Ensure quarterly reporting of our activities and participation as required in meetings and events

• Collaborate with different teams in the organisation to work on organisation priorities as well on the projects 

• Oversee the donor management for the team

• Donor project deliverables oversight and accountability  

• Anchor the regular catch ups with the donor 

• Ensure timely response to all donor requirements related to program information and operations

Requirements

• Exceptional leadership, management, analytical, and critical thinking skills with the ability to work across a networked organization.

• Expertise in Program design, grant partnership management  and knowledge of industry best practices. 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement programs in multiple states in India. 

• Proven experience of managing large funds and Corporate donors 

• Ability to assume responsibility, make sound judgments, supervise and mentor diverse employees and teams, and work independently/ collaborate in a fast-paced environment.

• Exceptional oral and written English communication skills. Fluency in hindi or other regional languages is a plus.

• Strong computer skills using MS Office.

To APPLY: https://questalliance.zohorecruit.com/careers