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Program Officer - Citizen Engagement (Dialogue) – Praja Foundation

 

Position

Program Officer – Citizen Engagement (Dialogue)

Experience

2-3 years (preferably from the social sector)

Reporting To

Program Co-ordinator, Praja Foundation

Location

Mumbai

 

About Praja

Founded in 1998, Praja is a non-partisan organization enabling accountability in governance. Praja empowers citizens to participate in governance by providing knowledge and perspective so that they can become politically active and involved beyond the ballot box. It undertakes extensive research and highlights civic issues to build the awareness of, and mobilize action by the government and elected representatives.

 

Praja believes that uninformed and disengaged elected representatives and administration, rather than existing systems or policies, are responsible for the lack of good governance. Additionally, there is a paucity of tools to facilitate effective interaction between citizens and the local government.

 

Praja conducts data driven research and provides information on civic issues to citizens, media, and government administration and works with elected representatives to identify and address inefficiencies in their work processes, bridge the information gaps, and aid them in taking corrective measures

 

The Role

To create, manage and execute dialogue opportunities with citizens, CSOs and Colleges/Universities to promote citizen participation in governance by enriching them with the knowledge and importance of citizens’ engagement in local governance. Coordinate and manage the Elected Representative (ER) Fellowship program with youths to enable them with the functioning of governance systems and involvement of ERs. To identify the opportunities to coordinate and conduct workshops with youths and CSOs on the topics like Urban Governance, RTI etc. to enhance their knowledge and perspective further to hold the administration accountable. Create related modules and collaterals for the training of ER fellows and workshops.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Work extensively and engage with various colleges, academia, CSOs and executives.
  • Ideate, coordinate and manage the end to end ER fellowship program, which is flagship program for youths.
  • Plan exposure visits for fellows and interns/volunteers and ensure active participation in governance matters through ER fellowship and awareness workshops.
  • Establish a network of project partners to create a professional platform for further networking and partnership between CSOs, youths and government at all levels to initiate dialogue on governance matters.
  • Coordinate and conduct workshops and training for youths and CSOs.
  • Identify, create and manage a pool of resource persons for workshops and training programs.
  • Create concept, processes and modules for workshops and training programs.
  • Maintain appropriate communications on program activities with the staff and management.
  • Prepare and submit detailed event and activity reports.
  • Conduct research and collect data on various governance and service delivery issues.
  • Willing to travel extensively within the city and outstation as required (70% time will be spent on the field; 30% within the office).

 

Additional Skills

  • Understanding of Right to Information Act would be helpful but not necessary
  • Understanding of political, governance and democratic concepts and working of administration
  • Comfortable with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
  • Has a mix of strategic and tactical approach to work and planning
  • Good computer skills: Microsoft Word/Excel/ PowerPoint and Internet/Social media
  • Good communication skills (written and oral) in English
  • Working knowledge of Marathi is a pre-requisite
  • Self-motivated with a strong sense of commitment to work under minimal supervision
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Ability to work in a deadline driven and dynamic environment
  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Multi-tasker with attention to details

 

Educational Qualifications

  • Graduate or Post graduate, preferably, in Public Administration/Social Work/Political Science/Management/Public Health/Criminology/Law. Even graduate/post-graduate in other subjects with an inclination towards development sector/public policy work will be considered
  • Previous work in the development sector or voluntary experience/exposure to the sector would be an added advantage

 

The selected candidate will be based in Mumbai. Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels. Please apply with your resume (please include current and expected salary) to hr@praja.org. For further information please log on to www.praja.org