Programme Manager

About Peepul

Peepul is an education-focused non-profit organisation committed to transforming India's education system and enabling every child to reach their full potential. We work closely with national, state, and local governments to transform government schools and government systems. Currently, we work with governments in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh to meaningfully have an impact across ~325,000 teachers and 9.75 million+ students across 100,000+ schools.

At Peepul, we collaborate with school systems to build the capacity of leaders, teachers, and institutions. We advocate for policy improvements, support mentoring and monitoring, and enhance student-teacher engagement in classrooms. Our work has been recognised internationally, including receiving the Commonwealth Education Awards for Innovation and being featured in reports by respected organisations like the UN and the National Ministry of Education, India, and we are well-funded by both Indian CSR and prominent international Foundations working toward a common purpose of excellent education for the most disadvantaged sections of society.

Driven by our core values of impact, excellence, and leadership, we are a restless, resilient, and reflective organisations. Our team of 200+ employees is passionate about creating lasting change and is rewarded competitively for their dedication. Join us in our mission to create a world where every child has equal access to high-quality education. Learn more about our transformative work at http://peepulindia.org.

Programme Overview

Peepul has been partnering with the School Education Department, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, for multiple years now. Working closely with the state bureaucratic leadership, Peepul has played a meaningful role in strengthening the education system of the state.

The partnership has been a successful one – with national and international recognition of the work. One of the flagship programmes of the state we are co-leading is the

CM RISE Schools Programme.

CM Rise Teacher Professional Development programme.

PM SHRI Schools Programme

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional and driven leader to head our Project Management Unit (PMU) in Madhya Pradesh. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of policy and practice, directly supporting the Department of Education, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The PMU Lead will act as the strategic link between our organization's objectives and the state's educational priorities, ensuring that our collaborative initiatives are executed with precision, agility, and impactful results. The ideal candidate will be a master of navigating complex government ecosystems, a seasoned project manager, and an inspiring leader who can foster strong, trust-based relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities would include (including but not limited to):

Strategic Project Leadership & Execution:

• Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of all projects under the PMU's purview, from strategic planning and resource allocation to seamless execution, monitoring, and reporting.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, detailed implementation of roadmaps, and robust monitoring & evaluation frameworks to track progress against key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Ensure all projects are aligned with the state's vision and our organization's mission, delivering measurable and sustainable outcomes in the education sector.

Government Liaison & Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Peepul with the Department of Education and other relevant government departments in Madhya Pradesh.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with senior government officials, district-level administrators, and other key stakeholders based on trust and mutual respect.
• Demonstrate a deep and nuanced understanding of government protocols, communication hierarchies, and decision-making processes to effectively navigate the governmental landscape.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and build the capacity of the PMU team, fostering a culture of high performance, proactivity, and continuous learning.
• Define clear roles and responsibilities, providing constructive feedback and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Champion an agile work environment, empowering the team to adapt to changing priorities and overcome implementation challenges creatively.

Communication & Documentation:

• Exhibit exemplary verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Create and deliver high-quality, visually compelling presentations, reports, and policy briefs for senior government officials and internal leadership.
• Donor reporting and ensure meticulous documentation of all project activities, meetings, and official correspondence.

Qualifications and Role Requirements:

At Peepul, we seek talented professionals passionate about driving educational transformation and making a positive impact. We are looking for individuals who possess the following qualifications and meet the role requirements:

• Educational Background:

  A relevant educational background in public policy, Management, Social Sciences, or related field is highly preferred.

• Work Experience:

  We value both professional and personal experience. Candidates with 8-10 years of experience with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role managing a Project Management Unit or large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects. Additionally, significant and proven experience working directly with government bodies, preferably within the education sector or with the Department of School Education.

• Other Skills

  : Excellent project management skills, exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build and maintain trust-based relationships with senior officials and partners. A dynamic and proactive leader, capable of navigating ambiguity, anticipating challenges, and taking initiative to keep projects on track in a fast-paced environment.

• Language Proficiency:

  Superior written and verbal communication skills in both English and Hindi.

How to apply

here

You will be required to upload:

• Your CV:

  Please ensure that your CV provides relevant information about your professional and personal experience and details of your academic qualifications. CVs can be one to two pages in length.

• A cover letter:

  We highly encourage you to use your cover letter to showcase your specific interest in working for Peepul and demonstrate how your qualifications align with the role you are applying for. A tailored cover letter holds significant importance in Peepul's recruitment process as it enables us to comprehend your motivations for the position, your relevant skills, and the clarity of your writing.

For any further queries related to our hiring process and timelines, please contact us at recruitment@peepulindia.org.