Director Programmes

1. POSITION VACANT: Director Programmes, Transform Schools, People For Action, New Delhi2. ORGANISATION BACKGROUND:Transform Schools is an Indian NGO and started in 2019 to provide evidence-driven and impactful educational solutions to bridge the learning gap in India’s secondary schools. It works to ensure that every child realises their full potential in school and beyond. Anchored in India’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 5, and 10), its mission is to improve learning outcomes, promote gender equity, and expand life opportunities for secondary-grade students aged 13–18.The organisation co-designs and implements evidence-based education programmes with State governments, with a focus on strengthening foundational learning, building equitable learning environments, and preparing students for transitions beyond school. Its work combines pedagogical innovation, teacher development, data-driven instruction, and systemic reform to ensure every adolescent—especially those from underserved communities—can thrive. As co-convenors of the State of Secondary Education (SOSE) global collaborative, the organisation is also shaping a global agenda to position secondary education as a societal minimum standard—mobilising research, investment, and practice across the Global South.For more information about Transform Schools, please visit: 3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:Reporting to the, Chief Executive Officer, the Director – Programmes (DP) will provide strategic and operational leadership to Transform Schools’ efforts to redefine secondary education across India, advancing the organisation’s mission to unlock the potential of millions of young people. Positioned at the forefront of programme innovation and systemic reform, s/he will shape and execute bold strategies that strengthen public education systems and drive equitable learning outcomes at scale. Key Job Responsibilities: A. Strategic Leadership:(1) Lead the design and evolution of programme strategy in alignment with the organisation’s mission, vision, and long-term goals;(2) Develop and execute Transform Schools’ strategy to impact 30 million students by 2030 in collaboration with the leadership team, board members and Advisers; (3) Responsible for providing strategic guidance and frameworks for replication of at-scale programmes in new Districts and States; (4) Translate organisational priorities into clear programme objectives, roadmaps, and success metrics;(5) Identify opportunities for scaling, innovation, and continuous improvement across programmes;(6) Align programmes with National and State level education policies to strengthen partnerships with state governments, influence policy and advocate for systemic and structural changes; B. Programme Implementation & Advisory Work:(1) Lead the design and continuous strengthening of programmes addressing critical education challenges such as cumulative learning losses, low transition rates from primary to secondary school, teacher capacity gaps, intersectionality, and inequity; (2) Provide strategic leadership and oversight for end-to-end programme planning and execution, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, quality benchmarks, timelines, and intended impact outcomes;(3) Ensure programmes are implemented in alignment with approved designs, budgets, and impact frameworks, while maintaining strong governance and accountability mechanisms; (4) Establish robust systems for monitoring programme progress, capturing learning, and enabling timely course correction. Leverage data, research insights, and stakeholder feedback to strengthen programme delivery and effectiveness at scale; (5) Serve as a strategic Adviser to government stakeholders by providing technical guidance, evidence-based recommendations, and implementation insights to inform policy design, programme strengthening, and scale-up strategies in school and adolescent education; C. Programme Delivery:(1) Work closely with the Deputy Director - Programme Operations to develop detailed implementation plans for smooth programme delivery across states;(2) Guide alignment of state level programmes with government education policies, priorities, and initiatives to ensure effective execution;(3) Establish monitoring systems to track programme success and ensure scalability without compromising quality; D. Programme Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning:(1) Work closely with the Associate Director - Research, Impact and Learning to design and implement comprehensive MERL frameworks to evaluate the impact, efficiency, and scalability of Transform Schools’ programmes;(2) Use evaluation insights to refine program design and advocate for systemic changes;(3) Drive evidence based advocacy to promote systemic changes in education policy and practice, influence funding decisions, policy priorities, and the adoption of innovative solutions at scale. E. Team Management:(1) Build, mentor, and lead high-performing programme teams with a strong culture of ownership, learning, and collaboration;(2) Set clear roles, expectations, and performance goals for team members;(3) Support capacity building and professional development of programme staff;(4) Foster cross-functional collaboration with internal teams such as Research, Partnerships, Finance, HR and Operations. F. Financial Management:(1) Oversee programme budgets and ensure efficient, transparent, and responsible use of funds;(2) Work closely with the finance team to manage planning, forecasting, and reporting for programmes;(3) Ensure programmes deliver maximum impact within allocated resources; G. Programme and Business Development(1) Collaborate with the CEO and COO to develop programme strategies aligned with the Transform Schools’ Theory of Change and long-term 2030 goals; (2) Work closely with the Associate Director – Development to strengthen donor engagement and build strategic partnerships with existing and prospective funders, ensuring alignment between programme priorities and fundraising strategies;(3) Support resource mobilisation by providing strategic direction in the development of high-quality proposals, concept notes, and impact reports that demonstrate programme effectiveness, scalability, cost-efficiency, and long-term systemic impact;(4) Identify and pursue opportunities for programme expansion, scale, and innovation, contributing strategic inputs to organisational growth, fundraising, and partnership-building efforts. H. Thought Leadership and External Relationships(1) Strengthen Transform Schools’ positioning as a thought leader in school transformation, education systems reform, and large-scale programme implementation by generating, documenting, and sharing evidence, insights, and learnings from programmes;(2) Represent the organisation in national and international forums, conferences, policy platforms, and sector engagements, showcasing scalable and sustainable programme models;(3) Build and maintain strategic relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, funders, academic institutions, civil society, and international organisations; 4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:Qualifications:(1) A Master’s degree in Education, Management, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field;(2) A deep and demonstrated belief in the power of education to drive positive social and economic outcomes for children and young people.Experience:(1) 10–15 years of progressive experience in programme leadership roles, preferably within the education sector, with a strong track record of managing complex, large-scale initiatives;(2) At least 5 years of experience in senior management positions, leading programmes and multi-year grants across primary, secondary, or higher education contexts; (3) Strong experience of working with State and National governments, with exposure to large-scale, government-led education reforms considered highly desirable;(4) Demonstrated ability to translate organisational vision and strategy into actionable programme plans with clearly defined, measurable outcomes;(5) Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, including government departments, funding agencies, regulators, donors, and strategic partners.Leadership & Strategic Capability(1) A visionary, systems-oriented leader with the ability to navigate complexity and drive systemic change across organizations and geographies;(2) Strong strategic planning and governance skills, ensuring programmes meet statutory, regulatory, and audit requirements;(3) Demonstrated experience in financial, resource, and risk management to ensure efficient, accountable, and sustainable programme delivery; 5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:The gross compensation budgeted for the position ranges from Rs. 25 to 35 lacs per annum. The offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history. 6. LOCATION: New Delhi 7. DURATION: Two-year fixed term contract (Renewable) 8. REFERENCE- DP-TS9. CONTACT INFORMATION:Team SAMSStrategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4081 9926 10. APPLICATION PROCESS:Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply online at Director Programmes at Transform Schools- People For Action in New Delhi | Apply Now by or before April 30, 2026.

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