Action For India - Program Manager

Position Overview:

- The Program Manager will lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive Startup Engagement Program, including structuring objectives and activities. They will manage all aspects of Cohort programs from selection to reporting stages. The role involves cultivating partnerships with donors, CSR initiatives, and other stakeholders.

- The Program Manager will coordinate fundraising efforts, including proposal development and maintaining a donor MIS system.

- Additionally, they will support marketing initiatives for enhanced outreach and engagement. The role may entail other agreed-upon responsibilities as needed.

Broad Job Profile and Deliverables:

Startup Engagement Program Design: Design a comprehensive Startup Engagement Program or Catalyser Program that outlines the structure, objectives, and activities.

Cohort Management: Anchor and coordinate the entire lifecycle of Cohort programs (e.g., SEAS, WISE, or others), from the initial selection process to the final report stages.

Partnerships and Collaboration: Establish and nurture partnerships and collaborations with potential donors, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, foundations, corporations, and other stakeholders.

Fundraising Proposal Development:

- Coordinate and support fundraising communication ,Write, submit, and defend proposals for securing funds, both independently and with guidance or consultation as necessary.

- Maintain a donor Management Information System (MIS) with qualitative, quantitative, and impactrelated data as per the Donor Calendar.

Coordination: Coordinate and support marketing efforts to enhance outreach and engagement.

Other Agreed-upon Responsibilities: Take on any additional tasks, initiatives, or responsibilities as agreed up on on before or after joining the organization.

Key Deliverables:

1. Planning the activities:

- Overall planning activities includes Run startups cohort end to end from sourcing applications to valediction,Compile and manage startup metrics monitor progress against timelines

- Create and manage network of mentors, advisors, domain experts

- Document asks and deliverables of discussions between startups and mentors

- Facilitate interactions between various AFI stakeholders and startups

- Assist startups in enabling their business needs and facilitating growth

- Coordinate and support in related AFI events

- Programs, resources, budgets and operations at AFI including new initiatives

2. Program Support

- Conceptualize, plan and implement the program successfully for SEs. Induct new entrepreneurs; work with entrepreneurs in understanding needs and keep track of the program flow.

- Sign fee-bearing MoUs with Social entrepreneurs as part of the AFI services

- Build a robust mentor and investor network for the advisory services by leveraging the AFI larger network.

- Design and organize webinars and/or workshops as part of the advisory service offerings

- Identify revenue generation opportunities for enrolled social entrepreneurs as part of the advisory services.

- Build partnerships with ecosystem stakeholders to strategize and implement the program

- Design communications strategies for visibility and outreach of the program

- Developing a monitoring & evaluation (M&E) method to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement

- Prepare reports (Program as well as Donor) for Management

- Conduct regular/weekly review meetings with team and Management.

3. Partnerships & Collaborations:

- Support the manager to identify market access and financing gaps across the value chains of enterprises we work with (both scalable as well as micro enterprises)

- Build a pipeline of potential partners, identify value addition, and support the team in seeing through partnerships

- Support the manager in partnering with financiers who can support and invest in women-led startups

- Generate reports and related documents for our partners and donors

4. Fundraising support

- Coordinate and support fundraising communication efforts.

- Write, submit, and defend proposals to secure funds, both independently and with guidance or consultation as needed.

- Maintain a Donor Management Information System (MIS) containing qualitative, quantitative, and impact-related data in accordance with the Donor Calendar.

5. Advocacy & Communications

- Collaborate with the marketing & communications team to develop case studies, success stories, videos, and impact reports across programs

- Support in organizing events, disseminating success stories, and advocating for the enterprises we work with

- You'll excel in this role if you possess the following skills and attributes:

- Excellent project management and organizational skills with high attention to detail.

- Highly developed oral and written communication skills and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.

- Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced, multi-cultural environment.

- Passion for pursuing a career in the domain of social impact

- Prior experience of building and managing a team

- Prior exposure to the women entrepreneurship ecosystem will be an added advantage

- Effective and strong network building capabilities to establish relationships with the various stakeholders and startups

- Good understanding of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in India preferably Education, Healthcare and Agriculture sectors

- Good interpersonal communication, organizational, and written communication particularly with social media

- Excellent Knowledge of performance evaluation and change management principles

- Excellent knowledge of MS Office; working knowledge of program/project management software (Basecamp, MS Project etc.) is a strong advantage