Applications invited for the post of 'Project Manager – Urban Programme', Arghyam, Bangalore, Karnataka

About Arghyam:

Arghyam is a not-for-profit foundation working in the water sector in India. Arghyam’s vision is “Safe sustainable water and sanitation for all”. We take up focused programs that address lack of equitable access to water and sanitation, in a sustainable manner, amongst all citizens, through partnerships and grants across the country. 

Main Duties and responsibilities: 

1. Managing Domestic Urban WATSAN (Water and Sanitation) projects across India (30%)

• Support the Conceptualization and Strategy development for the annual programme planning, execution and monitoring in line with Arghyam’s vision, mission, objectives and values
• Co-ordinate overall project activities including programmatic, operational, government liaison and beneficiary servicing aspects of the programme.
• Establish and maintain key contacts in partner delivery organisations, reporting regularly to Director – Urban Programme about developments in partner relationships.
• Conducting appraisal visits to monitor field level activities and data regularly
• Represent Arghyam at relevant workshops, seminars and policy events
• Work with the partner organizations on Action Research based evidence generation and feeding into advocacy efforts.

2. Programme Evaluation and Knowledge Management  (40%)

• Maintain management information on Arghyam’s Urban projects, ensuring all key project information is up to date and easily accessible.
• Consolidation of project information through field visit reports
• Ensuring that Arghyam’s projects are delivering against stated targets.
• Co-ordinate specifically commissioned monitoring and evaluation initiatives, both qualitative and quantitative.
• Support knowledge management with respect to projects resulting in Creating, co-creating, collating the front-end, path-breaking knowledge about the substantive issues, conceptual frameworks, research methods and tools, policy solutions, and deliberative processes, which may be utilized by relevant stakeholders in the WATSAN sector to address the issues that may enhance the service delivery
• Data collection, analysis and trend identification and relevant course correction of the project
• Interpret and analyse project information coming from the field and provide immediate responses and explanations
• Provide a readily accessible point of contact on project issues, context and risks associated with project implementation.

3. Strategic (20%)

• Ensuring that the delivery of the programme is in line with Arghyam’s strategy.
• Identify development agencies and actors that are important to Arghyam in delivering its objectives and programme.
• Support the assessment and take-up of new single partner projects.
• Highlight new emerging models for continual and innovative project development.
• Liaison with the Project Manager on project finances ensuring financial information is up to date, variances identified and recommendations for action made.
  • Contribute to medium term strategic planning within the Project team
  • Managing the Partner relationships through appropriate communications

 4. Project policy development (10%)

• Support the Director in responding to emerging issues on project development
• Undertake/facilitate research on key issues of policy and programme implementation.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Masters in the field of Urban Planning/Public Administration/ Social Sciences / Engineering / Environmental Sciences from a reputed institution with an excellent academic record. Masters or other higher qualification is a plus.
• Strong Project Management experience with a proven track record of at least 8 - 10 years or above in executing mid-to-large Urban development project in WATSAN sector
• Strong interest and understanding of the development sector is essential; need to be able to understand the domain issues that arise, in order to make the right decisions
• Strong understanding of various Government schemes, structures and system is required
• Should have worked on advocacy and policy making in the WATSAN areas
• Ability to get multiple groups and partners to work towards a common goal. 
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills required. Travel required.
• Should be comfortable with the use of computers and internet
• Knowledge of multiple Indian languages is an added advantage
• Ability to conduct independent project evaluations
• Ability to develop and write position papers based on field data/info analysis

Experience:

• Strong Project Management experience with a proven track record of at least  8 -10 years or above in executing mid-to-large Urban development projects in WATSAN sector
• Strong interest and understanding of the development sector is essential; need to be able to understand the domain issues that arise, in order to make the right decisions
• Relevant work experience in Health, Water and Sanitation or other similar sectors.
• Budgets management and grant monitoring systems.
• Dealing effectively with a variety of stakeholders - Government officials, Communities, NGOs and Donors.
• Should have worked on advocacy and policy making in the WATSAN areas

Knowledge/Skills:

• Work under pressure and to strict deadlines on multiple activities.
• Good IT and report writing skills.
• Demonstrable understanding of issues related to international development and/ or rural development and/ or environment in relation to India.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, spoken and written English essential.
• Understanding of Urban Planning/Civil Engineering/Sanitation would be required
• Strong understanding of various Government schemes and system is required
• Ability to get multiple groups and partners to work towards a common goal. 
• Knowledge of multiple Indian languages is an added advantage
• Ability to train others in the domain knowledge
• Ability to independently conceptualize and design  a large initiative at Arghyam.
• Able to independently lead a department with several staff members, develop and manage its budget and plans.
• Ability to create a team and manage it.

Personal qualities:

• Able to communicate complex issues in a concise, accessible and engaging way.
• Initiative, planning and implementing with minimum supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and work as part of a team in a co-operative and supportive way.
• Strong team player
• Creative and lateral thinking.
• Attention to detail, patient and persistent.

Commitment to:

• Arghyam’s aims and objectives.
• Working flexibly, prepared to travel extensively in the field to projects, partner locations, meetings, conferences etc.

 Salary: Competitive, depending on experience and ability

How to apply:

To apply for this post, please e-mail your updated resume including a covering letter to: jobs@arghyam.org with subject line “FOR THE POST OF PROJECT MANAGER-URBAN PROGRAMME”.

For further infrormation, please download the job posting from below.