Officer - Government Relations

Program Officer – Government Engagement (Odisha)

Location- Bhubaneshwar

About Quest Alliance:

Quest Alliance is a not-for-profit organization working across India, dedicated to equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world of work. Since 2008, we've been reimagining how young learners, especially those from underserved communities experience education, career readiness, and lifelong learning. We have been enabling equitable school-to-work transitions by building future-ready learning ecosystems that prioritize access, inclusion, and innovation.

Through strong collaboration with government systems, educators, communities, and civil society, we co-create tech-enabled learning experiences that empower young learners—especially those from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to build dignified, thriving and future-ready careers.

We envision a world where education goes beyond access, becoming a powerful tool for self-empowerment, social mobility, and lasting impact.

About the Role

The Officer – Government Engagement (Odisha) will be stationed at the Panchasakha Shikhya Setu Sangathan (PSSS) office in Bhubaneswar.

In this role, the person will act as the bridge between Quest Alliance and the Department of Education, ensuring alignment with our commitments under the MoU and facilitating smooth day-to-day coordination. The officer will help strengthen relationships across state and district levels, enable effective communication between Quest's field teams and department officials, and support planning, review, and compliance processes.

Key Responsibilities
State-Level Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Quest Alliance and the
  

Department of Education, including PSSS, OSEPA, and S&ME.

• Facilitate regular communication and ensure all activities remain aligned with
  

the MoU and departmental priorities.

• Support organization during Planning and Review Meetings and ensure timely
  

submission of monthly reports and plans.

• Secure necessary approvals, documentation, and clearances from relevant
  

government departments.

• Represent Quest Alliance in departmental meetings, events, and reviews.
  

District-Level Coordination

• Liaise with District Education Officers (DEOs) and other district-level officials
  

to plan and review program progress.

• Facilitate district review meetings with district and block government officials,
  

State Resource Groups members and Master trainers.

• Establish connections with District Magistrates for greater visibility and
  

institutional ownership.

• Ensure Quest's field staff have the required information, guidelines, and
  

updates from the department.

• Track compliance with departmental processes, timelines, and review
  

mechanisms.

Operational and Administrative Support

• Maintain documentation and correspondence related to government
  

communication, reports, and MoU deliverables.

• Provide translation support for official documents and communication when
  

required.

• Support preparation of presentations or reports for departmental meetings
  

• using tools such as Canva.
  

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Graduate or Postgraduate degree in Social Work, Education, Development
  

Studies, or a related field.

• 6–8 years of experience in the education or development sector, with strong
  

exposure to working with government systems.

• Understanding of the education ecosystem in Odisha, including state and
  

district structures.

• Proven ability to network and maintain collaborative relationships with
  

government officials.

• Strong communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
  

• Proficiency in English and Odia (spoken and written).
  

• Familiarity with MS Office, Google Suite, and Canva preferred.
  

• Willingness to travel across districts as required.
  

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Can navigate government systems with tact, empathy, and accountability.
  

• Is proactive and detail-oriented, with strong follow-through.
  

• Builds trust-based relationships and ensures timely execution of
  

commitments.

• Is aligned with Quest Alliance's mission of enabling future-ready learners
  

through system-led change.

At Quest Alliance, we pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunities employer, embracing applications from all segments of the community. We are committed to ensuring that every applicant and employee is treated with fairness and respect, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, religious belief, age, or any other factor that is irrelevant to performance. Your individuality is valued and respected within our organization.

Know About Quest

Website

Blog :

About the Team and Culture

Everyday is a Friday - How we make our workplace fun

Quest Day - Our Bday celebrated with people we love, and there is food & music

What our partners & collaborators say? - see here

Annual All Staff Meet - From Goa, Kumarakom, Coorg, Bodh Gaya & Puducherry this

is where all employees meet to celebrate their learning & relationships.

Watch our youtube playlists for more.

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