Lead, Parag Initiative : Parag

Parag is a flagship initiative of the Education theme of Tata Trusts in the space of children’s literature and libraries (https://www.paragreads.in/) that accomplishes its objectives through grant making and direct work. The Lead role will be responsible for both these aspects. The incumbent will be supported by a dedicated resource for grants and a dedicated team for direct work housed at an Associate Organisation.

Program Education
Location Mumbai/ New Delhi/ Pune
Reporting Manager Head – Education
Employment Type On-rolls
Grade Equivalent 4 or 5

• Leading direct work: Direct work is housed as a grant to Associate Organization and carried out by a full-time team of 10-12 members, part-time consultants and vendors.
• Leading program planning and implementation adhering to budgets and timelines: The Program comprises of components like book development, professional development, dissemination, research, advocacy, PHL, BLBA, and IBBY India.
• Leading the team and working with internal stakeholders and partners: Guiding work planning and managing full-time team, part-time team and vendors to achieve program objectives.
• Collaborating constructively with the Associate Organization and non-program teams. Provide strategic guidance to team members and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Anchoring Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and reporting: Designing and running processes for continuous monitoring, evaluation and learning of all program components, commissioning reviews, conducting regular field visits, and adhering to reporting requirements of the grant.
• Leading with vision and strategy: Staying abreast of developments and opportunities in children’s literature and libraries; evolving strategy for future work; aligning ongoing work constantly with intended objectives
• Supporting grant making (20%): Working with the grant making lead to ensure that grant making, and direct work are synergized and provisioning needed support from the direct work team.

Key Accountability

• Lead the Parag Initiative under the Education theme with focus on leading the team housed at an Associate Organisation.
• Work towards achieving programmatic goals.

Stakeholders

• Internal Education team members, non-program teams
• External Primary: Associate Organisation that hosts Parag team
• Secondary: Grantees, Donors, Government & Non-Government bodies

Knowledge and Skills:
Domain Expertise

• Strong understanding of quality children’s literature in India and key players.
• Expertise in elementary education, role of libraries and teacher professional development.
• Understanding of literacy acquisition and development (desirable).

Communication and Networking Skills

• Strong ability to communicate and develop effective working relationships with all stakeholders.
• Strong hold on English and Hindi (and any other Indian language would be desirable).
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation and influencing skills.

Competencies

• Deciding and initiating
• Adhering to principles and values
• Persuading and influencing
• Applying expertise and technology
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Adapting and responding to change

Experience:

• Minimum 12 to 15 years of professional experience with 5 years in leadership roles.
• Strong implementation focus, ‘can-do’ attitude, and ability to adapt rapidly.
• Knowledge and experience of children’s literature, especially in the Indian context.

Qualifications:
Master’s Degree (preferably in Education or Development Studies or Social Sciences).

Interested candidates are requested to:

• Study the Parag initiative website https://www.paragreads.in/
• Please share a two-page note on the “Role that the Parag Initiative of Tata Trusts can play towards building a reading culture”.
• Share your CV along with the two page note on recruitments@tatatrusts.org and fill out the form (mandatory) – https://lnkd.in/da4W9j-4