Project Coordinator

The Akanksha is on a mission to build one of the largest and most innovative networks of schools in

India, serving children from low-income communities, to maximize their potential. Our aspirational

vision for students integrates academic excellence with life skills (including socio - emotional

development), that will enable each child to live an empowered life. We believe an empowered

citizen must possess a sense of mastery to pursue excellence, a sense of agency to make informed

choices and a sense of purpose to serve their communities.

Over the last 30 plus years, Akanksha has been at the forefront of proving what's possible for

children from low-income communities in Mumbai and Pune. Our 5,100 alumni are on the path to

living an empowered life. Today Akanksha runs 26 schools in partnership with governments of

Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai and Nagpur serving ~13,000 children in grades Jr Kg

- Gr 10.

Position: Project Coordinator – PCMC PMU

Function/Team: Multiply Initiatives / Project SETU

Reports to: Project Manager - Implementation.

Compensation: 6.5 to 7.5 LPA Approx

Location: Pune

Overview of the Team: Project SETU aspire to realize this vision of systemic change through effective

partnerships in sharing our programs with the government schools with an orientation to impact on

student learning and sustainability of the programs beyond formal partnerships. The programs will

focus on building knowledge and skills of the educators. Our goals will be to influence classroom

practices through building capacity of mentors and govt management combined with some direct

support to teachers with training and resources. This will help us have a multiplier effect with

sustainability in the system.

Position Summary: As a project coordinator, you will work with the Program Manager, government

stakeholders and external partner(s) to ensure goals set by the Education Department in PCMC are

achieved. Additionally, you will collaborate with external partners and members across different

departments in PCMC as and when required.

What Your role will entail:

Project Management and implementation support (50%)

● Supporting senior officers within the Project Management Unit in all aspects of programme

delivery including arranging and attending meetings, taking minutes and co-ordinating actions

arising from the meetings, and dealing with routine questions and issues appropriate to the

grade.

● Providing research, coordination and liaison support to implement strategic plan under

education department;

● Drafting impact report for the initiatives undertaken by the department

● Providing advice, guidance and support to senior managers throughout all Departments and

Statutory Boards in all aspects of the progress of Capital Schemes through Government's

concurrence process;

● Liaising with Consultants, Contractors and Departments in connection with quality check for

academic programs

● Conduct regular supervisory field office visits to assess the status of project activities or to

participate in technical or evaluation work.

Technical Responsibilities (50%)

● Apply in-depth educational technical expertise to projects' technical goals and objectives and

other programmatic efforts

● Advise on the design, development, and quality control of academic activities and deliverables

● Track, analyze, and share the latest international evidence and development trends and priorities

with regard to reading, particularly in developing country contexts

● Participate in the design, implementation, and analysis of key research agendas for PCMC

projects

● Participate in and contribute to educational forums, such as technical working groups,

conferences, learning events, and social media outreach initiatives

● Serve as a technical mentor in developing the technical capacity of officers within the system

and serves as a technical expert in education programs.

Qualifications

● Minimum 2-3 years of project management, or technically relevant work experience in education

required

● 1-2 years working on implementing programs on the field. Experience in education preferred

● Demonstrated technical expertise in literacy or reading required, with expertise in understanding

teacher challenges in urban schools

● Demonstrated experience in technically relevant monitoring and evaluation

● Demonstrated knowledge of trends in relevant areas, donor initiatives and programs

● Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing in

English and Marathi. This includes public presentations and contributions to publications

● Demonstrated ability to build and manage working relationships with government stakeholders,

NGOs/partners, and technical experts

● Ability to solve complex technical, managerial or operational problems and evaluate options

based on relevant information, resources, well-rounded experience, and knowledge

● Demonstrated ability to problem solve and develop solutions independently

● Strong knowledge of MS Office applications

● Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

● Demonstrated leadership, integrity and versatility

Education Qualification:

● Bachelor's / Master's degree in any stream (education, education policy and planning, or international

development, with a degree in reading, literacy, and/or curriculum and teaching is preferred)