Job ID: 290859

Consultant-Field Coordinator, Programs

ChildFund India

Location: Kendrapara, Odisha

Apply by: 26 Apr 2026

Relevant Sectors

Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice

Social, Gender, Education, Youth, Child

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Date: April 17, 2026

Assignment:Consultant-Field Coordinator, Programs	Location:Kendrapara, Odisha
Assignment type: Consultancy Duration: up to June 2026	Manager/Supervisor title: Senior Field Officer, Programs

About ChildFund

ChildFund India works towards ensuring that children from the most marginalized sections of the society become able, confident, and responsible adults.

ChildFund’s Values

ChildFund's core values are the principles and beliefs that guide behaviour, decision-making, and culture. Our values of Connection, Honesty, Innovation, Learning, and Diversed Lived Experiences reflect our highest aspirations for how we go about our work every day in the communities we serve and with each other.

ChildFund’s Commitment

ChildFund has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including a criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.

About the Project

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), especially at the Gram Panchayat level, are the closest tier of governance to children and therefore play a critical role in advancing child rights. Child-friendly local governance is both a principle and a practice through which local governments progressively realise these rights by ensuring children’s access to essential services and entitlements, health, nutrition, education, safe water, sanitation, protection from abuse and exploitation, and social protection. Achieving this requires a holistic, community-owned framework that strengthens prevention and early response systems. Such a framework actively engages children and youth clubs/Bal Panchayats, SHGs, parent groups, VLCWCs, SMCs, VHNSCs, Panchayats, and block-level stakeholders to ensure accountability and sustainability. Building community awareness and participation reduces vulnerabilities and promotes safer environments for children. Strengthening the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and Village Development Plan (VDP) processes is essential to institutionalise child-responsive governance. Integrating children’s needs and protection priorities into these plans improves local planning, resource allocation, and accountability. A coordinated approach across education, health, and protection systems further supports long-term child well-being. Empowered communities, supported by responsive local governance, can create resilient ecosystems where children can thrive. Recognising this, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, under the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has identified Child-Friendly Panchayats as Theme 3 among its nine thematic priorities.

ChildFund India with the vision ‘An India where children lead a dignified life and achieve their full potential’ have been working in eight-gram panchayat of Mahakalpada block of Kendrapada district, further to consolidate its regular program and to pilot the Child friendly panchayat in all the 31 gram panchayats of Mahakalpada block in close collaboration with PRIs, block and district administration. The learning from this project will help to replicate the model in other blocks and other districts of Odisha in collaboration with Department of Panchayat Raj Government of Odisha.

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the engagement of Gram Panchayats in establishing Child-Friendly Panchayats, ensuring that all children are able to enjoy their rights to survival, development, participation, and protection, and are supported to reach their full potential.

About the Assignment

Consultant will Work closely with all the Gram panchayat of Mahakalapada block, ChildFund India and other relevant departments to ensure smooth coordination and effective implementation of the program's objectives.

Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with ChildFund’s Safeguarding Policy.

Scope of Work

Support the development and refinement of operational plans, workflows, and timelines for child friendly Panchayat activities in coordination with the field team and Senior Field Officer.
Assist in the logistical planning and coordination of workshops, training sessions, meetings, and other project events, including venue booking, participant coordination, and resource mobilization.
Collaborate with government agencies, civil society partners, schools, and other stakeholders to facilitate the establishment of pilot intervention sites and the implementation of Child Friendly Panchayat related initiatives at the community level.
Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including activity schedules, attendance registers, financial records, and procurement files, in compliance with organizational policies and requirements.
Provide administrative support for project-related communications, including drafting correspondence, preparing meeting agendas and minutes, and managing email correspondence and telephone inquiries.
Assist in the preparation and dissemination of project-related materials, including reports, presentations, and communication resources, to enhance stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing.
Undertake any other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Field Officer and Specialist Programs to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of project activities.
Conduct periodic visits to the targeted villages / Panchayats for monitoring the functionality of community based organisations and provide handholding support.
Coordinate and handholding support to Sishu Sathi (Community Volunteers) to Facilitate external visits to project locations including preparation of itinerary, arrangement of logistics, and supervision.
Conduct and facilitate training for capacity building of stakeholders.
Ensure all program activities adhere to safeguarding principles and guidelines to protect the rights and well-being of children.
Drive commitment and ownership for the delegated responsibilities.
Willingness to travel extensively to field sites.
Able to guide a team and provide handholding support to team members
Any other tasks assigned by line manager.

Required Qualifications

Education: A Graduate degree / Equivalent in social science, social work, child rights, human rights, development studies, or a related field. Post-graduation is an added advantage.
Experience: 2-4 years of relevant work experience, preferably in child protection or related areas.
Skills and Abilities: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders.

Required Competencies

ChildFund’s Core Competencies

Teamwork: the ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
Communication: demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others
Results orientation gets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
Decision-making uses good judgment, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
Resilience: thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.
Digital literacy: adopts and champions new technology to relevant contexts, stays aware of technological trends, and embraces technological solutions to business challenges

Other Competencies

Strong facilitation and community engagement skills.
Ability to coordinate across multiple frontline groups and local institutions.
Good understanding of PRI system and SDGs.
Strong documentation and reporting skills.
Sensitivity to local cultural and social contexts.

Disclaimer: This TOR is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the assignment.

How to Apply:

i) Please send your updated CV to recruitment@childfundindia.org (renaming your CV with your name is appreciated). Attaching a cover letter to demonstrate your suitability for the position is highly recommended.

ii) Please include answer to the following question in your email for application –

Do any of your relatives or members of your family/household work for ChildFund or if any child related to you is being currently sponsored/enrolled by ChildFund?? If yes, please provide the following details:

Name, Relationship, Current Position, and Location

iii) Please mention in the subject line of your email “Application for Consultant-Field Coordinator, Programs– Kendrapara”

Kindly pay attention to all of the above three points under “How to Apply” section as missing information may result in disqualification of the application.

Application Deadline: April 26, 2026.

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Job Email ID:

recruitment(at)childfundindia.org