Program Lead

Job Title: Program Lead
Department: Elevate Foundation
Location: Kohima/Dimapur or Kiphire
Hours: Full-time
Annual Salary Range: 5.5 – 6 Lakhs Rupees
Mentor/support: Founders

About Mantra4Change

Mantra4Change is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming public education in India through systemic reforms and collective action. We work closely with education leaders, government bodies, and partner organizations to drive sustainable school improvement at scale. Committed to impacting 150,000 schools by 2025, we enable learning experiences that equip every child with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving world.

About the Role

Mantra4Change is seeking a Program Lead to implement and oversee education programs in Nagaland, specifically focused on Project-Based Learning (PBL) for foundational literacy and numeracy. Working closely with government departments (SCERT, SSA, DoSE) and partner organizations, the Program Lead/Associate will drive program execution, stakeholder engagement, and field-level coordination.

This position is based in Kohima, Nagaland, and requires regular travel to implementation sites. The hiring process for this role is supported by NagaEd.

Organisational Unit Function

The District Program Coordinator Will:

    1. Stakeholder & Relationship Management
      • Liaise with government departments (SCERT, SSA, DoSE) to align programs with state education goals.
      • Collaborate with partner CSOs (ShikshaLokam, Education Above All, NagaEd) to ensure effective program execution.
      • Maintain strong relationships with school administrators, teachers, and local communities to ensure smooth adoption of interventions.
      • Facilitate regular consultations and feedback loops to ensure community participation in program design and implementation.
    2. Program Implementation & Orchestration
      • Drive the field-level implementation of Literacy and Numeracy Fest 2.0 and Project-Based Learning (PBL) for Grades 4 & 5.
      • Ensure timely execution, quality control, and stakeholder participation in all program activities.
      • Coordinate training sessions for teachers and school leaders in collaboration with partners.
      • Identify challenges in program execution and implement solutions in consultation with internal teams.
    3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
      • Support data collection, analysis, and reporting to measure program impact and effectiveness.
      • Conduct field visits, classroom observations, and stakeholder interviews to gather insights.
      • Work with the MEL team to document best practices, case studies, and success stories.
      • Provide recommendations for program adjustments based on field observations.
    4. Internal Coordination & Collaboration
      • Act as the link between field teams, Mantra4Change leadership, and partner organizations.
      • Provide on-ground insights to help refine program design and implementation strategies.
      • Ensure program operations align with organizational goals and government priorities.

Reporting Relationships

  • Reports to: Program Manager, Mantra4Change
  • Works closely with: Partner CSOs, Government Officials, Design Teams, and Training Teams
Key Stakeholder Interactions
Who
Why
Government Departments (SCERT, SSA, DoSE) Align programs with education policies and secure support
Partner CSOs (ShikshaLokam, NagaEd, EAA, Mantra4Change) Collaborate on program design, implementation, and impact assessment
School Administrators & Teachers Facilitate program execution, training, and feedback loops
Internal Teams (MEL, Training, Program Design, Operations) Ensure program insights, logistics, and execution strategies are well-integrated

Selection Criteria

Essential

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Public Policy, or related fields.
  • Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in education program execution or stakeholder engagement.
  • Experience working with government actors in education is an advantage.
  • Strong coordination and field-level execution skills.
  • Experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting for MEL activities.
  • Ability to liaise with communities, education authorities, and school leaders.
  • Proactive problem-solving mindset and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Tech-savvy and comfortable with digital tools for program management and reporting.