Program Manager

• Oversee the overall project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure strategic alignment with organizational goals and donor requirements.
• Ensure robust gender mainstreaming and women's participation across all program activities, including establishing quotas for women in decision-making bodies such as Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)/Pani Samitis, and promoting women-led initiatives in water and sanitation.
• Engage grassroots women leaders and workers to form and strengthen village-level teams for community action on water conservation and management.
• Facilitate community resource mobilization for establishing water schools or awareness centers, in collaboration with Pani Panchayats and VWSCs.
• Identify, recruit, train, motivate, and mentor a local cadre of Jal Sahelis (women water champions) to lead village-level efforts.
• Support and guide Jal Sahelis in conducting effective awareness campaigns and activities on water conservation, management, and hygiene practices at the village level.
• Provide technical and operational support to national programs such as Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and other rural development initiatives to ensure project synergy and success.
• Identify and assess suitable sites for the revival and construction of traditional rainwater harvesting structures, including ponds, check dams, and stop dams.
• Develop and implement community-led Water Security Plans using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, while supporting the formation and strengthening of Water User Associations with active local participation.
• Promote skill development and livelihood opportunities for youth and women through water-related enterprises, such as maintenance roles or eco-friendly income-generating activities.
• Foster coordination and convergence with relevant government departments at district, block, and Gram Panchayat levels (e.g., Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, JJM officials, and other line departments).
• Maintain comprehensive records of field activities, meetings, attendance, and community engagements; document project progress through photographs, videos, and field data.
• Prepare and submit accurate, concise, and timely progress reports to management and donors, ensuring compliance with reporting standards.
• Manage project team, including field staff and community mobilizers, providing guidance, performance monitoring, and capacity building.
• Monitor project budget, resources, and timelines; ensure efficient utilization and accountability.
• Conduct regular field visits for supervision, troubleshooting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure adherence to organizational policies, child protection, gender equity, and environmental safeguards.
• Represent the organization in meetings with government officials, donors, and partners; build and maintain strong relationships for collaboration.

• Master’s degree in Rural Development/Social Work/Environmental Science/ Water Resource Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in managing large-scale, community-based development projects, preferably in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) or NRM (Natural Resource Management) sector in rural India.
• Proven experience in team leadership, financial management, and donor reporting.
• Strong understanding of government flagship programs like JJM, SBM, GPDP processes, and the local governance structure in UP.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Hindi; proficiency in local dialects is a plus.
• Must have knowledge about advance reporting and assessment tools like Zoho, Power BI, SPSS and other data analysis.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.