District Program Head, Global Opportunity Youth Network,

Designation District Program Head, Global Opportunity Youth Network, Bhubaneshwar
Location Bhubaneswar
Employment Type Full Time
Report to National Program Head - GOYN
About the Organisation:
Lighthouse Communities Foundation works in the area of skilling and livelihoods for underserved youth.
This is a pioneering program with a strong PPP model, an agency-led approach to livelihoods, and a vision of
socio-economic transformation. The Lighthouses are run through a public-private partnership that
empowers the Government, Corporates, NGOs, and Citizens to work together towards changing lives. The
provision of location and capital expenditure for the Lighthouse centres is taken care of by the Government.
Corporates contribute through CSR funds to provide operational expenses. NGOs come on board to provide
various skilling courses to the youth. With penetration in more than 400 of the 500-odd slum communities
of Pune, the program has now expanded to other cities, viz. PCMC, Dombivali, Aurangabad, and also the
States viz. Delhi, Odisha, and Hyderabad.
Core Values that drive us: Empathy | Inclusion | Integrity | Courage
Lighthouse Communities Foundation currently implements two types of programmes under the
sustainable livelihoods vertical:
1. Lighthouse Program focuses on Agency Building, Skilling, and Employability for youth between
18-35 years of age through established lighthouse centres in the vicinity of slums/low-income
communities. The program is based on the PPP (Public Private Partnership) model.
2. Global Opportunity Youth Network: A consortium project Implemented in partnership with Aspen
Institute, Global Development Incubator, Prudential, Youth Build, Accenture, and Catholic Relief
Services, for which Lighthouse Communities Foundation is the Anchor partner in India. Specific
programmes implemented through the project include;
a. Ummeed: Livelihood literacy and last mile connectivity for youth between 15-29 years of
age
b. Junoon: Entrepreneurship Development program for aspiring nano entrepreneurs
c. Udaan: Bridging the Demand-Supply gap in the logistics sector.
3. Education: Lighthouse Kiran program is being implemented to support social-emotional learning
among adolescents between 14-17, covering aspects such as life skills and career coaching.

In addition to these, a large-scale Digital Empowerment program in slum/low-income communities is
operational to enable internet literacy, with an aim to reduce the digital divide in low-income communities.
Through the initiative, approximately 70,000 people have been trained since 2016.
The Program:
The Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN) is a global initiative catalysing system shifts for youth
opportunity in communities around the world through the creation of sustainable training, employment,
and income-earning pathways. GOYN works with “Opportunity Youth” — young people aged 15-29 who are
out of school, unemployed, or working in informal jobs.
The Global Opportunity Youth Network, Pune is aimed at unlocking the economic potential for “opportunity
youth” in Pune. Working on the principle of “Collective Impact”, GOYN Pune facilitates a deeper level of
ecosystem collaboration and coordinated action to transform livelihood opportunities for Opportunity
Youth at the city level. The program is directed towards fulfilling the vision of access to dignified,
productive, and sustainable livelihood for every Opportunity youth in Pune, with LCF as its anchor partner.
Click to know more: https://goyn.org/
GOYN Learning Report: https://goyn.org/resource/goyn-learning-report-2edition/
The Project:
GOYN program for Opportunity Youth aims to unlock economic opportunities for youth by leveraging the
power of collective action, breaking silos among key stakeholders in a city, and building livelihood literacy
among youth. Empowerment by extending and expanding access to information and opportunities for
Opportunity Youth.
The program aims to bring together the ecosystem of youth, skilling organizations, placement agencies,
employers, industry experts, and other OY-facing organizations. This will facilitate collaboration, and
experience sharing among the various ecosystem partners, and multiply the impact made by these
individual organizations. GOYN program is now being expanded to Odisha in the city of Bhubaneswar and
will be supporting 4 Lighthouses to take the work forward. The program shall build a collaboration of
multiple stakeholders in the city for breaking silos and building collective action for sustainable livelihoods
for young people.

Position Overview:
The District Program Head will serve as the strategic and operational lead for the GOYN initiative in
Bhubaneswar, overseeing the full spectrum of program implementation, stakeholder engagement, and
team leadership. This role is pivotal in translating GOYN’s vision into action at the district level, building a
strong local brand, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and driving inclusive youth development outcomes.
The Head will be responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring all project activities in alignment with
GOYN’s national strategy, while ensuring high-quality delivery through a team of 7–8 staff members. The
role demands a dynamic leader who can navigate complex ecosystems, engage with government and
community stakeholders, and champion youth voice through initiatives like the Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
and Youth Innovation Fund (YIF).
With a focus on results-based management, ecosystem strengthening, and youth empowerment, the
District Program Head will play a critical role in shaping Bhubaneswar’s Opportunity Youth landscape and
contributing to systemic, sustainable change.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Brand Development:
● Build and promote the GOYN brand within the city of Bhubaneswar.
2. Project Planning and Management:
● Prepare and regularly update the overall implementation plan for the project, incorporating a risk
framework using Results Based Management tools.
● Oversee day-to-day project implementation and ensure coordination of project outcomes.
3. Partnership and Ecosystem Development:
● Collaborate with relevant organizations for ecosystem mapping and develop the Theory of Change.
● Develop and maintain management, programme and strategic partnerships with counterparts in
governments, institutions/ foundations, development agencies, the private sector and
non-governmental organizations for the purpose of programme cooperation, knowledge-sharing,
policy or resource mobilization.
● Assist the GOYN Head of Office in identifying implementing partners and preparing necessary
documentation for partnerships.
● Establish strong working relationships with local partners, including government officials, NGOs,
and skilling organizations.

4. Strategic Guidance & Vision:

● Develop a strategic vision for Programme Group which translates into the successful delivery of
GOYN mandate and Strategic Plan goals, targets and strategies
● Develop strategies to support GOYN current and future programme requirements and direction.
● Help GOYN to identify emerging local and state issues of importance to the rights and well-being of
youth and help evolve these into core programming solutions and opportunities for GOYN.
● Liaise with government departments to establish a cell within the State Government to attract
private investment and conduct ongoing employer/demand mapping by sector.
5. Monitoring and Reporting:
● Develop mechanisms for close monitoring of project progress, identifying potential risks, and
alerting management as needed.
● Ensure timely preparation and submission of the Project's Annual/Quarterly Work Plans and
Progress/Final reports, including financial documentation.
● Prepare monthly reports on key project activities, issues, and action points, as well as semiannual
and annual progress reports.
6. Team Leadership and Capacity Building:
● Supervise project personnel, ensuring effective communication and coordination among team
members, implementing partners, and management.
● Identify skill gaps within the project team and proactively plan training and capacity-building
sessions.
● Develop training materials and short training capsules to enhance the capabilities of project
personnel.
7. Youth Engagement and Advocacy:
● Mobilize Youth for GOYN volunteering activities and manage brand-building events to advocate for
youth.
● Develop the Youth Advisory Group to create a collaborative youth voice for the GOYN program and
foster youth leadership and civic engagement.
● Oversee Youth Innovation Fund projects in the designated location while managing and guiding the
youth innovators.
8. Data and Research Oversight:
● Oversee the development of the Youth Well-Being Index in collaboration with stakeholders,
managing baseline, midline, and endline surveys.
9. Strategic Coordination:
● Support management in coordinating project activities from substantive, administrative, and
financial perspectives, applying strategic planning to ensure effective implementation.
● Liaise with government departments to establish a cell within the State Government to attract
private investment and conduct ongoing employer/demand mapping by sector.

Preferred Skill Sets:
● Educational Background: Postgraduate degree in Social Work, Social Sciences, or a related field
● Experience: 8–10 years of relevant experience, ideally spanning both the development and
corporate sectors
● Results-Oriented: Proven ability to meet goals and deliver on time with consistency and quality
● Self-Starter: Highly motivated and organized, with strong time management and multitasking skills
● Leadership Skills: Expertise in people management, project execution, and data-driven
decision-making
● Relationship Builder: Strong interpersonal skills with a knack for building trust and resolving
challenges effectively
● Tech-Savvy: Proficient in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets) and MS Office tools
● Communication: Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, Hindi, and Odia
● Team Player: Collaborative mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
Term: 1 year from the date of appointment (This position is subject to renewal depending on
performance and funding).
Does it sound exciting?
If yes, then share your CV and Cover letter with us by mentioning the designation in the subject line at
careers@lighthousecommunities.org or
click on the link to apply- https://forms.gle/eFuMTrpeFFZTRofMA