Open Positions – Makkala Jagriti

Makkala Jagriti is a nonprofit organization, we work towards empowering children and youth from marginalized communities through a holistic approach to learning.

In 2003, Joy Srinivasan founded Makkala Jagriti as a safe and friendly space where children from marginalised communities could gather after school hours and engage in meaningful and enriching learning activities. Her intention was to make learning fun again, even for school drop-outs. As her engagement with children and their communities grew, so did the organization with focused programs for early childhood care, primary school children and youth.

Today, our unique ‘Holistic Development Learning Model’ is helping thousands of underserved children and youth across Karnataka. It enables them to learn better and grow into more confident and self-assured individuals, who are aware of their talents and potential, and are equipped to succeed – within and beyond the classroom.

Our deep engagement with marginalised communities over the years has generated a plethora of unique insights, transformation models and new perspectives about maximizing the learning and development of children and youth, despite their limiting socio-economic conditions. Our approach is unique in that we empower not just children but also those around them – parents, teachers and community members, who play a key role in shaping their lives and future.

Makkala Jagriti, which translates to “Children’s Awakening” in the Kannada language, is truly empowering underserved children and youth to envision and design their best future; by helping them ‘discover the light within’ and shine bright.

1. Program Manager in Non-Profit for children and youth (Education)

Here is a great opportunity to play a leadership role in MJ’s growing program with children in child care institutions across Karnataka. This is a key position that will devise and lead the strategies towards reaching the organization’s goal of transforming the institutions to holisticlearning spaces. (These institutions cater to Children in Need of Care and Protection)

Functional Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage Makkala Jagriti’s interventions in child care institutions towards fulfilling the organization’s goal of transforming them into holistic learning spaces for children

• Lead a team of Coordinators and facilitators of the program and oversee different program components – direct implementation, remote learning, virtual engagement, staff capacity building, etc.

• Set Program strategies, goals and processes for the team to achieve the desired outcomes and as committed to donors

• Devise unique strategies for Children’s Homes (Boys and Girls) and Observation Homes as per need

• Liaise with the Department of Women and Child Development for the smooth running of the program, to expand the program reach and advocate for greater investment

• Be well-versed with all the relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and other Acts and policies with respect to child protection in India

• Monitor and review the program periodically and ensure the programs are progressing as per plan – address issues and bottlenecks with the support of organization leadership

• Ensuring compliance with donor requirements in terms of program progress, program reports and data

• Oversee and guide relevant surveys and studies in the program

• Make conscious efforts to keep abreast of the developments in the sector, interventions and practices of other NGOs and seek out possible collaborations; provide suggestions on

how the program can be strengthened, deepened and/or expanded

• Plan for and implement regular training and capacity building events for the team to enhance their work

• Planning and coordinating state level and region level events for training, capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy

• Develop and contribute to project proposals to expand and strengthen the program

• Any other relevant tasks towards reaching the goals of the program and the organization

• Contributing towards the organizational growth as a member of the Extended Leadership Team

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Bachelors’ degree or Master’s Degree (preferably in Humanities, Social Work, Psychology)

• Work experience: 5 to 7 years, preferably in NGOs and in leadership positions

• Must have experience of leading and coordinating a team

• Must have an understanding of the Juvenile Justice System in India

• Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities; strong inter-personal skills and ability to motivate a team

• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to respond to the changing dynamics within the program

• Languages: English and Kannada (read/write/speak); knowing Hindi would be an added advantage

Reporting: The position shall report to Deputy Director – Programs

To Apply : Click Here

2. Program Manager for Youth Empowerment in a non profit

About the job

Program Manager, Yuva Jagriti

Here is a great opportunity to play a leadership role in MJ’s growing program for youth empowerment. The Program manager, Yuva Jagriti has the overall strategic and operational responsibility of the Youth development program of Makkala Jagriti.

Responsibilities 

Program Design and Implementation

• Manage Makkala Jagriti’s interventions with youth – Yuva Jagriti in different spaces – Yuva cafés, Government Colleges, Youth Centres etc.
• Oversee and contribute to the design of the program end-to-end including Foundation course, Life skills, Livelihoods, Mentoring, Career Guidance, exposure etc. as per the program goals and devise unique strategies for different groups of youth as per need
• Lead a team of Youth Coordinators and oversee program implementation
• Set Program strategies, goals and processes for the team to achieve the desired outcomes and as committed to donors
• Monitor and review the program periodically and ensure the programs are progressing as per plan – address issues and bottlenecks with the support of organization leadership
• Ensuring compliance with donor requirements in terms of program progress, program reports and data
• Oversee and guide relevant surveys and studies in the program
• Develop and contribute to project proposals to expand and strengthen the program
• Any other relevant tasks towards reaching the goals of the program and the organization
• Contributing towards the organizational growth as a member of the Extended Leadership Team

Networking & Linkages

• Make conscious efforts to keep abreast of the developments in the sector, interventions and practices of other NGOs and seek out possible collaborations; provide suggestions on how the program can be strengthened, deepened and/or expanded
• Liaise with the Youth Affairs Department of the Government for the smooth running of the program, to expand the program reach and advocate for greater investment in Youth programs
• Build linkages for vocational trainings, and job placements with organisations, government agencies and other non-profits
• Formalize partnerships with MOUs with resource persons and organisations
• Build solid network with partner organisations within India & Abroad for youth programs
• Develop relationship with colleges, high schools for exchange programmes

People Management & Capacity Building

• Responsible for Hiring and building the program team and support in their growth
• Build skills and capacity for program team for best performance
• Mentoring team members for growing in the organization
• Responsible for overseeing and conducting performance appraisals for the team members

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Bachelors’ degree or Master’s Degree (preferably in Humanities, Social Work, Psychology)
• Work experience: 5 to 7 years, preferably in NGOs and in leadership positions
• Must have experience of leading and coordinating a team
• Must have an understanding of Youth work
• Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities; strong inter-personal skills and ability to motivate a team
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to respond to the changing dynamics within the program
• Languages: English and Kannada (read/write/speak)

Reporting

This role will report to the Deputy Director, Programs

To Apply : Click Here