Head of Programmes, India

About the job

1. POSITION VACANT: Head of Programmes India, British Asian Trust, Gurugram

2. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Founded in 2007 by His Majesty King Charles III and British Asian entrepreneurs, the British Asian Trust is a diaspora-led international development organisation, delivering high quality programmes in South Asia. Since its formation, BAT has impacted the lives of over 13 million people across South Asia with high-impact interventions to address the subcontinent’s critical unmet needs in the areas of livelihoods, mental health, education, child protection and conservation. BAT believe that traditional approaches to development cannot alone defeat poverty and inequality and is passionate about innovation and disruption. BAT isfocused on outcomes and impact and a global pioneer in using social finance products to drive positive change.

For more information about the organisation, please visit https://www.britishasiantrust.org/

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

BAT’s portfolio of work has grown significantly in the past few years, but they still see several opportunities to have even more impact. This position will be key to effectively deliver on some of their existing programmes and ensure to build the capacity to design and deliver future programmes

Reporting to the Executive Director, India, the Head of Programmes (HOP) shall oversee and drive the strategic direction and operational management of key BAT programmes in India with responsibility for strategy development, programme design, MEL, oversight of delivery and compliance. S/he shall work collaboratively with the Central team and other country offices to ensure that programmes in India are aligned to the organisation’s approach and Theory of Change.

The HOP will have responsibility for including Conservation and Mental Health programmes and their partnership with the BT Group spanning education, skilling and online child safety. This role requires a skilled leader with substantial experience in programme strategy, design and delivery, a deep understanding of some of the sectors in which BAT operates, a passion for their mission, and the ability to inspire and manage a team of dedicated professionals. The individual will oversee and provide line management to the Programmes Team, focusing on conservation and BT initiatives.

Key Job Responsibilities:

(A) Programme Strategy and Design

(1) Drive and lead programme strategy and design for areas of responsibility in alignment with the organisation's theory of change and strategic goals.

(2) Take a lead in programme design working closely with colleagues, partners and team;

(3) Ensure that overall programme strategy and vision is communicated in a manner that appears exciting and compelling to key stakeholders, particularly potential funders;

(4) Drive the programmes' and BAT's strategic direction through expert analysis and application of MEL insights. Ensure that these learnings inform BAT's strategic decisions, policy positions, and innovation initiatives;

(5) Lead the strategic direction for MEL across programmatic areas of responsibility. Ensure that all programmes contribute to a cohesive set of data that informs high-level strategic goals. Champion the use of MEL as a critical tool for organisational learning, decision-making, and demonstrating impact to stakeholders.

(B) Programme Management

(1) Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of programmes to ensure they achieve desired outcomes and impact;

(2) Oversee the day-to-day operations of Conservation, Mental Health and BT Group initiatives, ensuring effective project management and adherence to timelines and budgets;

(3) Monitor and evaluate programme performance, including setting key performance indicators and making data-driven decisions for continuous improvement. Ensure that relevant programme performance data is being captured effectively and robustly verified;

(4) Identify and manage relevant programme risks;

(5) In the area of Financial Management: Develop and manage programme budgets, including monitoring expenditure against budgets;

(6) Work with the Head of Operations and Central Programmes team to ensure that programmes are run in adherence with relevant processes outlined in the organisation’s programme management manual, e.g., ensuring that due diligence of partners take place at prescribed intervals and to the desired quality;

(7) Develop a framework to evaluate partner performance and help develop partner capabilities as needed to ensure delivery of programme objectives and within budgetary constraints;

(8) Ensure programmes comply with relevant regulations, standards, and best practices. In particular, ensure a strong focus on Safeguarding in compliance with BAT policies.

(C)Team Leadership

(1) Lead, mentor, and support a team of programme managers and staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture;

(2) Provide guidance and professional development opportunities to team members to enhance their skills and effectiveness;

(3) Collaborate with the central programmes team and the wider programmes leadership to ensure that programmes in India are not only aligned to the wider BAT approach and Theory of Change but are also constantly improved as needed in terms of programme strategy, design and execution;

(4) Work in collaboration with the Social Finance to identify and help execute on opportunities for Social Finance projects in Conservation, Mental Health, and other programmatic areas;

(5) Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous learning.

(D) Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

(1) Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including implementing partners, funders, government agencies, community organisations, external sectoral experts and other partners;

(2) Represent the organisation at conferences, meetings, and public events to promote our programmes and build strategic alliances;

(3) Manage critical external stakeholders including relevant trustees and advisors to enable their inputs and collaboration in programme strategy as appropriate;

(4) Build strong relationships with relevant government stakeholders and ensure that their views are taken into account in programme design and delivery;

(E) Development and Funding

(1)Work with the fundraising team to identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants, donations, and sponsorships, to support programme sustainability and growth;

(2) Ensure preparation of programme proposals, reports, and budgets to stakeholders and potential funders;

(3) Participate in discussions with potentials funders as needed to ensure effective representation of the programmes;

(4) Work with the fundraising team to modify programme design and measurement as needed to ensure that programmes are as exciting as possible to funders and that the impact of programmes is clearly evident to funders.

In addition to the above, the HOP may occasionally be required to undertake other reasonable duties, as necessary, to meet the needs of the organisation.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification:

Applicants should be graduates from a recognized university, or institution.

Essential Experience:

(1) A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in programme development, management, and leadership, including at least five years in senior leadership roles.

(2) Experience in managing and delivering impactful programmes across diverse and multisectoral programmatic areas such as conservation, mental health, child protection, education, and livelihoods;

(3) Demonstrated experience in leading, inspiring, and managing teams, with strong interpersonal and change management skills;

(4) Deep commitment to the mission of BAT and the organisation’s goals in specific programme areas such as conservation and mental health.

Essential Skills and Competencies:

(1) Demonstrable knowledge of programme and project management;

(2) Sharp analytical, influencing and negotiation skills;

(3) Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including language skills that reflect partner organisations’ preferences;

(4) Proven ability to work at pace, often in an ambiguous environment;

(5) Attention to detail / commitment to technical accuracy;

(6) Ability to work independently, with conflicting demands, in a high-pressure environment.

(7) Understanding of financial planning and budgeting;

(8) Upholds the highest ethical standards and leads organisational safeguarding strategies.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross compensation budgeted for the position is attractive. Please note that the offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history.

6. LOCATION: Gurugram

7.CONTRACT DURATION: This is a full-time position. The successful candidate shall be offered a fixed-term consultancy contract with BAT, for an initial period of two years.

8. REFERENCE: HOP-BAT

9. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS

Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.

1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar

New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025

Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612

11. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to urgently apply by or before February 7, 2025.