Program Officer

Job Description

Praja s continuous engagement with local elected representatives (ERs) and administration through capacity building, research and advocacy has had a positive impact on city governance. This role primarily focuses on research and outreach for urban reforms in Guwahati, Assam. The individual will be responsible for outreach and capacity building of stakeholders such as ERs, administration, and civil society, on issues related to urban governance and engage with various colleges, academia, and CSOs for capacity building on urban governance. He/she will also be responsible for (a) research and analysis to help build the case for introducing a coherent package of reforms to transform the way urban governments function to make them more accountable, transparent and responsive to the needs of the citizens, (b) assist in building a network of organisations and individuals that have a deep knowledge of urban governance issues and are willing to partner with Praja to take this initiative forward. This role also involves fieldwork and travel to different cities on short notice. Main Responsibilities Work closely with the Department of Housing & Urban Affairs (DoHUA), Assam Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd (AUIDFCL), Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC). Conduct research and collect data on various governance and service delivery issues. Coordinate and run Governance Fellowship program of Praja Foundation in Guwahati. Cultivate and maintain relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders to ensure effective dissemination of Praja s advocacy messages. Create strategic outreach strategies aimed at raising awareness of Prajas research findings among elected officials in specific cities and states Coordinate the planning and execution of workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building programs for diverse stakeholders. Source and manage a roster of experts to facilitate workshops and training sessions. Foster ongoing collaboration and follow-up efforts with key stakeholders and partners. Cultivate a network of project collaborators at the local, regional, and national levels to facilitate networking opportunities and partnerships among civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups, and governmental bodies, fostering dialogue on governance issues. Contribute in the preparation of promotional materials for the project, such as pamphlets and videos. Engage extensively with elected representatives & officials from city & state govt., educational institutions, and CSOs. Oversee communications and outreach efforts with all project stakeholders. Compile comprehensive reports detailing event outcomes and activities. Willing to travel extensively within the city and outstation as required (approximately 70% time will be spent on the field; 30% within the office). Qualification, Experience and Competencies Graduate/ Postgraduate in Public Administration/ Social work/ Development Studies any other relevant course. Proven working experience (1-2years) in the social sector or (2-3 years) from other sectors (open to people from corporate/education sectors) Strong research and analytical skills. Conduct in-depth research and data collection on urban governance, municipal finance, public service delivery and other urban governance components. Ability to read and comprehend complex literature such as Municipal Acts, Municipal Budgets, state & union government policies, etc. Proficiency in writing detailed reports and developing content for capacity-building based on research. Ability to clearly articulate his/her views in both written form and through presentations. Comfortable and adept at building strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including elected representatives, bureaucrats, civil society organisations, various colleges, academia and NGOs. Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English, Hindi and Assamese. Should be ready to travel at short notice. Self-motivated with a strong sense of commitment and ability to work under minimal supervision. Good knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel/ PowerPoint and Internet/social media. People Management, Training, Analytics & Process Orientation skill Applying for Program Officer Strategic Partnership (Guwahati)