PROGRAM MANAGER - EARLY CHILDHOOD FRIENDLY CITIES
Who we are and what we do?
WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being.
We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization. Currently over 150 researchers are working with WRI India in our offices at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Program Overview for Sustainable Cities and Transport
At WRI India Ross Center we focus on 10 integrated solutions to urban challenges. Through applied research, tools, hands-on advice, and by tapping our network of global experts, we accelerate transformative urban initiatives that have the power to change Indian cities into thriving, equitable and low-carbon places that are good for people and the planet.
Working at WRI India Ross Center offers you the unique opportunity to learn and grow as you collaborate with a diverse set of change agents across Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. As India’s biggest urban focused think and do tank, we seek thoughtful, enterprise-minded and sensitive individuals who can help us support this transformation and make a positive difference to citizens’ everyday lives.
About your role:
You will work with WRI India in supporting Indian cities to enhance public spaces, transport and streets as part of the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge. You will manage various programmatic activities for helping cities implement necessary measures towards healthy development of young children and wellbeing of their caregivers in the cities. The candidate will work with city coordinators to achieve enhancement of public spaces and environment of cities by formulating flagship projects; capacity building; data-based decision-making; and induce policy, regulatory and institutional changes towards long-term sustenance.
The Manager will work closely with Program head and Program coordinator to ensure completion of program deliverables and strategize stakeholder engagements required for various activities. You will be asked to assist WRI internal team to prepare technical reports, stakeholder presentations and monitor and report progress periodically. You will research relevant topics such as policies and mandates around inclusive public spaces and transport, early childhood development, private sector engagement and identify potential opportunities for distribution. You will be asked to collaborate with team members and partners to achieve the deliverables. You need to be energetic available to travel at short notice.
Key Responsibilities:
Program development and Co-ordination
· Responsible for all daily engagement with City coordinators and important partners to coordinate towards achieving program goals.
· Prepare technical documents for presenting program activities comprehensively and periodic donor reporting following templates.
· Lead strategic conversations with important policy actors in the ecosystem to support institutionalization of solutions. Work with team members to produce policy drafts and inputs on statutory documents for city agencies.
· Create and conduct capacity building programs for government officials and lead discussions with important partners to form partnerships for sustenance.
· Support WRI India in any other research or projects related to urban development related areas.
Communications and partnership
· Schedule meetings with partners, help conduct State convenings and city level workshops and focused discussions.
· Create communications strategies and work with team members for distribution through multiple platforms.
· Identify potential partners for the program implementation and work with them to achieve desired outcomes, such as CSR entities, survey and MEL partners, event partners and such.
· Communicate with WRI India internal team members towards completing program deliverables and constant progress reporting.
Research
· Focus on early childhood development, attention to vulnerable groups, gender and poverty.
· Focus on statutory frameworks, policies centred around early childhood development, public spaces and city planning with attention to vulnerable groups, gender and poverty.
· Support development of knowledge products for the program such as training modules, toolkits, guidebooks, capacity building modules.
Skills and Qualifications we seek:
Post-graduation in Urban planning/ Urban Design/ Public policy/ Environmental/Transport planning or related discipline.
· Minimum 7 years’ experience in relevant field around public spaces, Early Childhood Development, social infrastructure, city planning and policies, mobility and transport. Experience working with government partners or State or central programs will be considered beneficial.
· Passionate about enhancing quality of life for children through inclusive and sustainable development principles, public policies, general awareness of environment and climate change.
· Strong analytical research skills and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly, both orally and in writing, with fluency in English.
· Proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe software, 3D visualization, Microsoft excel (can perform complex functions), Word, and PowerPoint is a requirement. Working knowledge of GIS.
· Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of a team. Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build a network of professional relationships.
Location: Bangalore, Indore, Kochi, India
Salary and Benefits: INR 15,00,000 to INR 18,00,000 CTC
Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.
Duration: 1 year (Extendable based on performance and project requirements)
To Apply:
Only Qualified applicants should apply online at https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/jobs" style="background: no-repeat transparent;outline: none;color: rgb(24,114,204);text-decoration: underline;display: inline-block;font-weight: 600;">https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/jobs. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered.
List of Documents to be attached:
- Cover letter explaining how your academic background and skills meet the requirements of this position.
- Curriculum vitae
- Writing samples
- Reports
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purpose.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India
WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.
Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here
People-centric to the core:
We keep our people at the centre of everything we do - from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.
Some of the non-monetary benefits that our staff get:
Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs
Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member
Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance
Health & Nutrition: Personalized diet recommendation from a certified dietitian based on the physical health condition and lifestyle
Flexible work schedule: Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job
Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities
Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.
Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.
Equal employment @WRI India
We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, parental status, or disability.
