Program Manager – Agrasar Bachpan Program

Agrasar is a non-profit founded in 2013 with a vision of nurturing an empathetic society that is free from all forms of violence and ensures growth, well-being and social security of inter state migrant workers and their children. Agrasar Bachpan Program was created to provide opportunities for children from disadvantaged communities to access education through community-based learning centres for those who are out of the school system and by supporting government schools to build their capacities and providing remedial education support to children enrolled in schools (government and low-income private schools) to reinforce life skills, learning and school going behaviours.

Over the last three years the focus of the Agrasar Bachpan Program has evolved organically to create safe learning environments for children both in school and at home with a focus on social and emotional learning and reducing the incidence of corporal punishment. Agrasar follows a multi-stakeholder approach to create behavioral, structural and cultural shifts and works closely with children, parents, teachers, school administration and the community to challenge deeply ingrained social norms regarding growth and development of children, discipline, and parenting. Agrasar seeks to create safe spaces at home and in school by working closely with parents and teacher to build their capabilities in positive reinforcement techniques, relationship building, regulating emotions and managing stress. In its child centric approach, the children are at the heart of the Agrasar Bcahpan program and Agrasar works closely with children to support them with skills for social and emotional learning, school going and learning behaviors, develop a sense of agency and collective action.

Position Overview

The Program Manager for Agrasar Bachpan Program will spearhead initiatives aimed at creating a learning environment that is safe, supportive, engaging and empowering for children from disadvantaged communities. The Program Manager will oversee and grow current programs and will build partnerships for expanding the Agrasar Bachpan Program.

The role involves designing, implementing, and evaluating programs aligned with the organization's mission and strategic objectives, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks such as the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and guidelines from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

This role is pivotal in transforming educational environments into spaces where children can learn and grow without fear of physical or mental harm. The Program Manager will play a key role in shaping programs that support the holistic development of learners.

The role will be based in Gurugram and will involve travel to program sites.

Key Responsibilities :

Program Design & Implementation :

• Overall responsibility for implementation and successful achievement of goals and objectives of the ECP program of Agrasar
• Lead the team of educators implementing the program in government and low-income private schools of Gurgaon and Lucknow
• Oversee the development and adaption of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum and interventions tailored for diverse educational settings.
• Ensure programs are inclusive and culturally sensitive, addressing the needs of all students.

Training & Capacity Building :

• Conduct workshops and training sessions for educators, students, and parents on the detrimental effects of corporal punishment, SEL, and alternative disciplinary methods.
• Develop resources and toolkits to aid in the delivery of ECP programs on the field.
• Provide ongoing coaching and support to ensure effective SEL integration.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting :

• Establish and maintain monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness.
• Prepare and submit regular program reports to donors and internal management.
• Analyze program data to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Identify potential program risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Stay informed about relevant policies and regulations affecting program operations.

Community Engagement :

• Engage with parents, teachers, and community members to foster a collective responsibility towards maintaining a non-violent educational environment.
• Organize community outreach programs to raise awareness about children's rights and the importance of positive discipline.

Qualifications:

• Master’s in Psychology, Education, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in SEL program management or related roles.
• Strong understanding of child development and trauma-informed practices.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis methods.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.

Desired Skills :

• Experience in curriculum design and instructional strategies.
• Familiarity with SEL assessment tools and frameworks.
• Ability to work collaboratively in diverse and multicultural environments.

• Fluency in Hindi and English.

Application Process :

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience to niharika@agrasar.org and cc: masab@agrasar.org by 31^st August 2025.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.