State Lead - Maharashtra
Organisation's Profile
Transform Schools is working to ensure that every child realises their full potential in school and beyond. Anchored in India's national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 5, and 10), our mission is to improve learning outcomes, gender equity, and life opportunities for secondary-grade students aged 13-18.
We co-design and implement evidence-based education programmes with State governments, with a focus on strengthening foundational learning, building equitable learning environments, and preparing students for transitions beyond school. Our work combines pedagogical innovation, teacher development, data-driven instruction, and systemic reform to ensure every adolescent—especially those from underserved communities—can thrive. As co-convenors of the State of Secondary Education (SOSE) global collaborative, we are also shaping a global agenda to position secondary education as a societal minimum standard—mobilising research, investment, and practice across the Global South.
Our work spans two institutional vehicles: People For Action, a charitable society that delivers CSR and grant-funded programmes, and The Transform Trust, which leads outcomes-linked engagements.
With a strong footprint across multiple States (Definite plans for expansion and deepening of our work) and a commitment to scale, we aim to reach 30 million children by 2030, building a future where quality secondary education is a reality for all.
Job Purpose
The State Lead will be responsible for leading the implementation, scaling, and institutionalisation of the programmes in partnership with the Maharashtra Education Commission (MEC), State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Samagra Shiksha, and other relevant stakeholders. The position will focus on building state-level ownership of the programme, ensuring alignment with Maharashtra's education priorities, building strategic partnerships with government bodies, and driving sustainable impact across the state's public education system. This role requires strong leadership, advocacy, partnership-building, and systems-thinking to implement long-lasting, scalable education models.
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Reports to
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National Lead- Programmes
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Collaborates with
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Internally - CEO, COO, Senior Lead - Research, Impact and Learning, Lead -
Programme Management, Lead - Programme Operations, Lead - Programme
Design and Quality, Senior Lead - Development, Chief of Staff, Senior Specialist -
Human Resources and Operations, Lead - Finance, Lead - Amplification
Externally - NCERT, SCERTs, National, State(s) & District counterparts (Government & Non-Government), Knowledge Partners, Consultants, Donors, National/Global Education funders and evidence-based research groups.
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Direct reports
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Programme Managers (2), District Project Officers (2)
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Job Location
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Pune, Maharashtra
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Employment
Contract Length
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Two-year fixed-term contract (renewable)
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Compensation
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Circa INR 18-20 lakhs per annum (on a cost-to-the-organisation basis), dependent on qualifications and experience.
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Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Alignment with State Priorities
- Lead co-designing, adaptation, and implementation of the three high-impact models: Learning Improvement in Middle and Secondary School, Girls Empowerment and Transition Support, and Future-Facing STEM.
- Engage directly with the Principal Secretary, State Project Director, SCERT, and the MEC to ensure the programme aligns with the state's educational reform goals and priorities.
- Act as the key liaison between Transform Schools and state-level stakeholders to ensure the successful integration of the programme into state policies and strategies.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with government stakeholders (e.g., MEC, SCERT, Samagra Shiksha) to build collaboration and ensure the sustainability of the programme.
- Build partnerships with civil society organisations, NGOs, and industry players (e.g., Nirmaan, Learning Curve, CSF, CEGIS, LFE) to leverage their expertise, resources, and networks.
- Identify opportunities for programme adaptation based on the State's political mandate, educational needs, and long-term vision.
2. Advocacy and Policy Influence
- Advocate for the integration of the TS programmes within the State's existing educational frameworks and policies.
- Ensure that the programmes are prioritised within the State's annual budget allocation, thereby facilitating funding for the models.
- Co-create scale interventions with government counterparts, ensuring that these interventions respond to systemic challenges in the public education sector.
- Collaborate with state stakeholders to design and implement interventions that drive systemic impact, with a focus on sustainability and state ownership.
3. Programme Implementation, technology integration, financial management and quality
- Lead implementation and tracking of Transform Programmes in the State, along with integration of technology systems, integration into high priority governance processes.
- Lead internal team and build capacity for high-quality, outcome-focused implementation, government liaison, data-based management and systems change principles.
- Ensure effective implementation of programmes in selected schools to ensure an agreed outcome to showcase to the CMs office.
- Plan and ensure timely support to the State(s) government in distribution of all teaching and learning resources for training and school-level implementation.
- Lead planning and delivery of capacity building for government officials, Master Trainers, Head Teachers, teachers and other stakeholders to deliver Transform Programmes.
- Review, analyse and lead reflection on programme progress through data Management Information Systems to plan action and advocacy initiatives.
- Plan, track and report on budget utilisation as per monthly and quarterly milestones; review planned activities and actual expenditure.
- Ensure that partners (such as technical agencies and State education departments) submit programme and financial documents as per agreement.
- Contribute during ideation for new projects or deepening existing programmes.
4. Programme Monitoring, Quality Assurance and Reporting
- Agree on a programme monitoring and outcome framework with the State(s) government to assess quality of implementation and programme impact.
- Share a monthly report to the Lead - Programme Design and Quality, on the progress, including data on syllabus completion, pre-post assessments, student participation, observation reports on teaching practices and status of teaching–learning facilities.
- Ensure timely and high-quality documentation and reporting by consultants.
5. Capacity Building and Ecosystem Support
- Organise capacity-building initiatives for government officials, teachers, and education leaders, including training, workshops, and exposure visits.
- Build collaboration among ecosystem partners, ensuring that best practices are shared, and stakeholders are aligned towards a common goal.
- Activate and mobilise resources to support the scaling of the programme, ensuring that the models become part of the state's broader education system.
- Support in identifying opportunities for state-specific funding partnerships and contribute during the conceptualisation phase.
Essential Requirements
Education:Master's degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Experience:
- At least 8-10 years of experience in leadership roles within the education sector, preferably with a focus on government programmes, large-scale educational reforms, or public-private partnerships.
- Proven experience in managing state-level education projects, with knowledge of the state's education policies, stakeholders, and governance structures.
- Strong background in building partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and other ecosystem partners.
- Familiarity with STEM education, girls empowerment, and secondary school education issues in India.
- Previous experience in managing large teams and multi-stakeholder collaborations.
Skills:
- Strong communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, including senior government officials, NGOs, and industry partners.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, navigate political landscapes, and manage resources efficiently.
- Analytical and data-driven approach to monitor programme effectiveness and impact.
- Ability to think strategically and manage programme scale, sustainability, and long-term outcomes.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills, ability to work in a fast-paced work environment and meet deadlines consistently.
- The job may require up to 30% of travel to the focus blocks and districts of Transform Schools.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to facilitate diverse groups, along with local language speaking abilities.
How to Apply:
Only candidates meeting the above requirements may send their application consisting of a cover letter mentioning why they think they are suitable for the role and an up-to-date CV via e-mail to
recruitments@peopleforaction.org by 31st August 2026.
To ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly indicate the title of the post - ‘Application for State Lead- Maharashtra in the subject line of your e-mail.
Please note that the shortlisting will be done on a rolling basis.
Transform Schools, People For Action is an equal opportunity organisation. We welcome and encourage applications from all communities, including underrepresented groups, marginalised communities, and individuals from diverse backgrounds, regardless of race, caste, religion, gender, disability, or social status.