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Program Officer – Outreach, Capacity Building – Praja Foundation

 

Position

Program Officer – Outreach, Capacity Building

Experience

2-3 years (preferably from the social sector)

Reporting To

Program Co-ordinator, Praja Foundation

Location

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

 

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 Opportunity

Are you are interested in transforming the way Indian cities work in making them more efficient, resilient and sustainable? Here is an opportunity to work with top policy makers in the country at the national, state and city level and influence urban governance policies to make our cities more liveable.

 

The Role

Praja’s continuous engagement with local elected representatives (ERs) and administration through capacity building, research and advocacy has had a positive impact on city governance. To begin with, the Program Officer will focus on outreach for urban reforms in Uttar Pradesh and subsequently other cities in India.

 

The individual will be primarily responsible for outreach and Capacity Building of stakeholders such as ERs, administration and civil society, on issues related to urban governance and engage with various colleges, academia, and CSOs for capacity building on urban governance. He/she will also be responsible for (a) research and analysis to help build the case for introducing a coherent package of reforms to transform the way urban governments function to make them more accountable, transparent and responsive to the needs of the citizens, (b) assist in building a network of organisations and individuals that have a deep knowledge of urban governance issues and are willing to partner with Praja to take this initiative forward.

 

This role also involves fieldwork and travel to different cities on short notice.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Facilitate relationships with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that advocacy messages are disseminated in an effective manner.
  • Help organise workshops, trainings, and other capacity building programs for all stakeholders. Identify, create and manage a pool of resource persons for workshops and training programs.
  • Initiate and maintain collaboration and follow-up of initiatives with key program stakeholders and partners.
  • Establish a network of project partners at municipal, state, and national level to create a professional platform for further networking and partnership between CSOs, youths and government at all levels to initiate dialogue on governance matters.
  • Assist in preparing promotional material on the project, including pamphlets, videos.
  • Work extensively and engage with elected representatives, executives, colleges, academia and CSOs.
  • Handle communications and related outreach activities with all stakeholders.
  • 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).

 

Educational Qualifications and Required Skills

  • Graduate/ Postgraduate in Public Administration/ Social work/ Development Studies.
  • At least two to three years’ experience in a non-profit entity.
  • Ability to understand, read and interpret documents such as Municipal Corporation Act, Municipal Budget document etc.
  • Research & analysis skills.
  • Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and Hindi.
  • Ability to clearly articulate his/her views in both written form and through presentations.
  • Should be ready to travel at short notice.
  • Comfortable and adept at building strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including elected representatives, bureaucrats, civil society organisations, think tanks, and NGOs.
  • Self-motivated with a strong sense of commitment and ability to work under minimal supervision.
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel/ PowerPoint and Internet/social media.

 

Mindset

  • Ability to work in a team
  • Problem Solver
  • Ability to plan and organise
  • Attention to Detail

 

Compensation

4.50 – 4.80 Lakhs per annum, commensurate with skill and experience Please send your resume to hr@praja.org